Module: Journalism & Society

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).

As such, this is a point in time view of data which will be refreshed periodically. Some fields/data may not yet be available pending the completion of the full Coursebuilder upgrade and integration project. We will post status updates as they become available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Journalism & Society
Module Code	CM156 (ITS) / JRR1005 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Communications
Module Co-ordinator	Declan Fahy
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	6	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Coursework Only
A 1,500-word essay, including references, on one of an assigned list of topics related to journalism and society.

Description

Journalism and Society introduces students to the roles and responsibilities of journalism in democratic societies. The module examines how and why journalists uphold democratic ideals by providing citizens with fact-based information about current affairs. It discusses how journalists act as society's watchdogs to hold the powerful to account. It explores how journalists analyse and interpret current events in order to help citizens make sense of social problems. As the module explores these topics, it defines and analyses core concepts in journalism, such as the public interest, news values, public opinion, accuracy, accountability, objectivity, fairness, balance, verification, and truth. Students learn in this module by listening to lectures, reading assigned texts, doing workshop exercises, and writing essays. The five-credit module is a foundational course in the BA in Journalism and will provide fundamental ideas that underpin the other modules over the three years of the degree.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the various roles and functions of journalism in liberal democracies.
2. Define core concepts in journalism, such as the public interest, accountability, objectivity, and truth.
3. Recognise that journalism practice is embedded in political, social, historical, financial, and cultural contexts.
4. Analyse critically readings that explore journalism from various academic and practice-based perspectives.
5. Evaluate how different journalists and news organisations perform their professional roles.
6. Produce essays that critically examine fundamental ideas in journalism and its influence on society.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	20	Attendance at weekly two-hour lectures in which there is also a workshop component.
Assignment Completion	40	Researching, drafting, and writing two essays that together comprise 2,700 words.
Independent Study	65	Reading assigned class readings, answering key questions on those readings, and reading outside the syllabus.
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Week 1
What are the roles of journalism in society?

Week 2
Why is journalism essential to democracy?

Week 3
What is the public interest?

Week 4
What is truth for journalists?

Week 5
What is news?

Week 6
What is objectivity? What is verification?

Week 7
What are sources, and why are they so important?

Week 8
How has journalism influenced -- or failed to influence -- society?

Week 9
Is journalism a business like any other?

Week 10
How can journalists operate in an environment of misinformation and disinformation?

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Essay	1,200-word essay, including references, on an assigned topic related to journalism and society.	40%	Week 7
Essay	1,500-word essay, including references, on one of an assigned list of topics related to journalism and society.	60%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Kovach, B. and Rosenstiel, T.: 2014, The elements of journalism: What newspeople should know and the public should expect., Three Rivers Press, New York,
Randall, D.: 2011, The universal journalist, Pluto Press, London,

Other Resources

None