Module: Journalism Opportunities & Innovation

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As such, this is a point in time view of data which will be refreshed periodically.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 Opportunities & Innovation
Module Code	CM3860 (ITS) / JRR1027 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Communications
Module Co-ordinator	Kevin Rafter
Module Teachers	David Robbins, Dawn Wheatley, Declan Fahy
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

The module is focused on opportunities available to journalism graduates by introducing them to the business of the news industry with specific attention on entrepreneurship, freelancing and professional skills to help them succeed in a competitive landscape. The module responds to the changes in the media environment, in particular, disruption to traditional employment practices and the reality of more transitory career paths, coupled with the role of social media in professional journalists’ public profiles. Module content will focus on the future of journalism and will encourage entrepreneurial creativity and business understanding not just in innovative start-up environments but also inside legacy media organisations. Students will also be encouraged to reflect on their professional identities and how they present themselves to potential employers, especially in online contexts.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the business and economics of the news industry;
2. Conceive and develop a group business proposition and present a formal pitch
3. Reflect on importance of professional identities for journalists seeking work opportunities
4. Understand the role of social media in promoting a journalistic brand
5. Understand contemporary work opportunities and freelance journalism roles

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	22	No Description
Assignment Completion	33	No Description
Independent Study	70	No Description
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

Business elements of journalism

Business of the news entrepreneurship

Start-up culture

Freelancing

Future of journalism

Entrepreneurial creativity

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Group assignment	Conceive business idea, present to panel of judges, and submit business plan	60%	n/a
Presentation	Present on an existing start-up in the journalism industry	25%	n/a
Professional Practice	Submit professional biography and CV	15%	n/a

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

Briggs, Mark: 2012, Entrepreneurial Journalism: How to Build What’s Next for News, Sage/CQ Press., Los Angeles,
Reis, Eric.: 2011, The Lean Start-up. How Constant Innovation Creates Radically Successful Businesses., Penguin,

Other Resources

None

A list of core and supplementary reading material - much of it from online sources - will be provided in the module syllabus.