Module: Understanding Digital News

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Understanding Digital News
Module Code	JRR1041
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Communications
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module charts and analyses changes and continuities in journalism in the context of evolving networked digital media. It considers current and projected communication technology and audience trends and their relevance to the roles and practices of journalists as news professionals.

Learning Outcomes

1. Integrate digital media concepts with evolving understandings of the role of journalists (Demonstrate the effective use of digital technology for communication.)
2. Analyse and interpret networked media practices and potentialities in reporting news and facilitating public debate
3. Recognise opportunities and challenges for journalism in networked media
4. Recognise opportunities for and challenges to public information and debate in networked media ecologies
5. Critically interpret claims for networked media with regard to their relevance to the role of journalists in society

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Weekly 2-hr lecture
Independent Study	103	Assignments, exercises and readings
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	21402	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Martin Molony	Module Teacher	Dawn Wheatley, Paul Mcnamara

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Loop Quiz	5 x 10-question multiple-choice quizzes, completed at home	10%	Every Second Week
Practical/skills evaluation	Evaluate effectiveness of 2 multimedia stories from list provided	30%	Week 5
Report(s)	Comparing news organisations; use of social media platforms	60%	Sem 1 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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
Module overview & assessment information

Week 2
Funding news in the digital age

Week 3
Multimedia journalism

Week 4
Mobile news and customised content

Week 5
Engagement and interactivity in digital journalism

Week 6
Journalism and social networks

Week 7
Reading Week

Week 8
Discussion of assessments

Week 9
Sources of news in digital landscape

Week 10
Trust and transparency in digital

Week 11
Journalism’s changing labour conditions

Week 12
Artificial intelligence: opportunities and challenges for journalism

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Eldridge, S.A., Cheruiyot, D.K., Banjac, S. and Swart, J. eds.,: 2025, The Routledge companion to digital journalism studies, Routledge.,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None