Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism

The overall purpose of the degree is to provide a candidate with professional media skills and a critical understanding of theories and concepts pertaining to the relationship between media and society.

Candidates are not normally admitted to the Higher Diploma in Journalism unless they are in possession of at least a bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline.

Persons who are able to give satisfactory evidence of their qualifications (formal or informal) may be specially exempted from the normal entrance requirements for the degree and may register as Ad Eundem Gradum students.

Candidates should be able to communicate in English.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Candidates are granted credit for equivalent prior learning and experience as determined by the University rules governing the recognition of prior learning and experience.

Specific outcomes

1. Manage full origination, production and distribution cycle for a complex media production.

In order to meet this outcome, the learner will be able to

• Demonstrate in all management tasks, an understanding of current environment and production trends
• Demonstrate an understanding of the necessity for, and an ability to draw up and adhere to time lines
• Demonstrate an ability to negotiate group dynamics
• Draw up and manage a budget
• Demonstrate an ability to devise, write up, present and negotiate project proposals
• Demonstrate an ability to manage complex production processes
• Demonstrate a knowledge of evaluation process and an ability to manage

feedback/debriefing processes.

1. Conceptualise, generate and publish media products, resources for media and analyses of media.

In order to meet this outcome, the learner will be able to

• Generate ideas for content, informed by knowledge of a well defined audience and sensitive to social contexts
• Demonstrate an ability to decide on appropriate, angles or treatment (choice of genre and formats) for the story/content
• Appropriately select and apply a wide variety of formats, tools and methods for researching and editing content
• Select and utilise appropriate channels of distribution to ensure that the media product reaches its audience and, where appropriate, creates a platform for audience interaction
• Demonstrate an ability to effectively publicise a media product.

1. Demonstrate and articulate a critical understanding of the relationship between media and society.

In order to meet this outcome, the learner will be able to

• Identify media institutions and explain how they work at micro (internal) and macro (policy, legal, etc) levels
• Identify the contemporary history, political, social, economic and cultural contexts within which the media operate and how these are shaped and shape society
• Identify and critically reflect on the role of journalists and journalism in society
• Analyse the different mediums
• Analyse how media texts represent society
• Identify and interpret media audiences
• Analyse media consumption.

1. Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively about and through a variety of media at all levels of communication -i. e., Intrapersonal, interpersonal, intragroup, intergroup, institutional and society-wide.

In order to meet this outcome, the learner will be able to

• Follow complex, logical arguments, readings, and presentations
• Produce complex, logical, persuasive and analytical arguments, presentations and essays, for a variety of audiences and in a variety of contexts
• Communicate at a society-wide level through a variety of media for a variety of audiences
• Communicate effectively under pressure, in exams or exam-like situations
• Communicate effectively within a group
• Communicate verbally to a variety of audiences/individuals
• Demonstrate effective negotiation skills
• Use appropriate technologies to facilitate effective communication.

1. Identify and use appropriate sources and research methods to study a given research problem.

In order to meet this outcome, the learner will be able to

• Identify research problems and access relevant resources needed to study them
• Critically analyse problematic situations in the relations of media and society
• Critically engage sources of information
• Reflect on/question society-held assumptions about the practice of social/media research
• Reflect on the uses and morality/ethics of the various research practices
• Conduct a disciplined study by assessing research requirements, formulating research questions, selecting appropriate research methods and tools, gathering, evaluating, contextualising data and writing, evaluating and presenting research results
• Work effectively in a team.

1. Learners should be able to demonstrate an expert understanding, both in theory and practice, of the principles, theories and facts that form the core of the discipline of Journalism and Media Studies.
2. The learner will be required to demonstrate research, creative problem solving and critical thinking skills, as individuals and in groups.
3. The learner will have well-developed communicative skills and should be able to structure a logical argument both in writing and in the spoken form.

Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved

1. Assessment procedures adhere to Rhodes University Assessment Policy.
2. Assessment entails three elements.

• Continual formal assessment both formative and summative
• Continual informal assessment (formative)
• Formal end of course assessment (summative)

The course work on which continuous assessment is based includes work done individually and in groups, and may consist of combinations of tests, essays, practical reports and seminars.