module specification

 This module covers what student journalists need to know about how Britain works and the place of journalism within debates about ethics and the legal system. It is core for all journalism-related courses as everyone in the media needs to know how the system works.

Classes will look at the ethical and judicial frameworks and constraints which control the reporting of legal matters, including crime and its contexts.  Students will explore these subjects from the industry viewpoint, learning how to find and develop stories within the social and political landscape of Britain today.

Within public administration, classes will survey: national systems of government and representation; local government; citizen remedies and freedom of information; foreign policy, the EU and defence; social services and education; health; the judicial system (civil) and human rights; emergency services; the criminal justice system, including police; finance and the stock exchange.

At the heart of this course is the study of ethics.  How journalists ought to behave – and what we can learn from those who do not behave properly – is particularly important to the profession. The public relies on the profession to give information. How should journalists get that information and how convey it?

Ethics gives a deeper meaning to the study of the legal system for journalists. Classes will locate the law which journalists need to know, both civil and criminal, within a broader ethical framework in today’s multi-platform, multi-national world. Analysis of current cases and case law will be as important as knowledge of existing frameworks and codes.

Field trips to magistrate’s courts and local authority meetings will be key to personal experience and understanding, as will guest speakers.

Discussion, research, screenings and visits will all play a part in developing students’ critical thinking skills and the professional skill of accurate, legally acceptable writing.

The module will be assessed by two portfolios (one of which includes multimedia), an essay, and an online journal moderated by tutors at the end of the year.

 The course will introduce key aspects of UK public affairs.  Each week, students explore stories which uncover the work of different institutions and research them in and out of class. Each week will centre on action research, where students analyse a topical piece of journalism to discover what knowledge and which sources were used to create an effective piece of writing. 
Public administration subjects will include: national systems of government and representation; local government; foreign policy, the EU and defence;  the emergency services; social services and education; health; finance and the stock exchange.  LO1

Learning how British society fits together provides a context for understanding the law, particularly as it applies to journalists. As students dissect the workings of the judicial system (civil) and human rights and the criminal justice system, including the functioning of police, they gain an understanding of how stories are shaped and develop -- as well as discovering how to find and substantiate them. LO2, LO3

Students will become familiar with the workings of the whole legal system from Magistrates’ Courts to the Supreme Court. LO5, LO7, LO8

They investigate the origins and consequences of ethical frameworks, historically and in the present day. LO9 Exploring the relationship between ethical principles and legal codes and procedures will include such subjects as: confidentiality, anonymity and protection of sources; truth, deception and integrity; principles of democracy, freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom of information; human rights; secret/covert filming; investigative journalism; celebrity, private lives and public interest; conflicts of interest. LO6, LO7  

They survey the current legal system as it applies to journalists, including: libel, slander and defamation; copyright/intellectual property law; obscenity; privacy; protection of minors; court reporting restrictions; the Official Secrets Act; Race Relations legislation; the Human Rights Act. LO8, LO9

Such knowledge will enable students critically to evaluate the role of industry regulators in relation to print and broadcast journalism. Written work will show evidence of critical awareness and the need to evaluate evidence with regard to sources. LO2, LO8, LO9

In enhancement and news weeks, through screenings, visits and guest speakers, they will gain personal experience which will deepen their understandings.

Finally, through writing on these theories and histories, they will sharpen writing and presentation skills through reflecting on feedback from staff and other students. Such written work will help demonstrate employability for the PDP LO1, LO3, LO5

For most of the teaching weeks, a three-hourly session will require students to listen, to write and to speak, to work with each other and individually. They will also need to take notes, present independent research and ideas and contest information presented by staff.

In enhancement and news weeks, field trips, guest speakers and screenings will complement one-to-one tutorial and coaching sessions. The magistrates’ court and Crown Court visits, as well as visits to local council meetings, are a key part of this course.

Feedback will be given one-to-one in class and electronically. Electronic resources, including the university’s virtual environment, will be used by students and staff.

In developing employability, accuracy and understanding of legal matters are highlighted. However, social skills, of listening, debate and presentation, are also important in the profession of journalism and these will be supported by the teaching and learning strategy.
The module will be supported by a VLE site containing notes, readings and extended bibliographies, and weblinks.

Opportunities for creating PDP will be fully supported, notably in multimedia pieces – piece to camera or voicer from council /court steps.

 If students read all the required texts, participate in all the class activities and complete the required assessments and assignments, they will develop transferable skills, usable in the workplace and as citizens. They should be able to:
1. Write knowledgeably about key British institutions, taking into account their histories and current contexts;
2. Use political, social, economic and cultural factors to add context to stories, without losing a reader’s interest.
3. Develop the ability to research independently in varied fields of journalism;
4. Communicate the basic concepts of ethics and their application to media practice;
5. Write copy that is legally watertight, with regard to statute and case law;
6. Produce multi- media output that is legally sound;
7. Answer questions about the judicial system;
8. Demonstrate through examples how media and journalists are situated within the legal system;
9. Analyse and argue about live ethical and professional issues in journalism today.

 An initial formative assessment set in week 2 will be handed in week 4 and returned in week 5 (this is not weighted, so not on grid, but is compulsory). Further formative assessment will comprise short weekly written exercises both creative and critical, and feedback on class contributions to seminars and workshops. Tutorials will offer formative assessment on drafts for portfolios.

Summative assessment will comprise: two portfolios demonstrating knowledge of current practice in the fields of journalism, law and public affairs. A final essay on a current issue and a test on legal knowledge.

Students will keep a journal to reflect on their learning journey, which will assess engagement with class.This will be moderated by tutors at the end of the year, but formatively responded to every week.

Written feedback will be provided electronically for all summative assessments. Summative assessments will take place at three intervals during the module, timed to be effective alongside other subject-specific modules.

In each case of summative assessment feedback will be given to the student within a two-week period. All work will be marked individually.
Assessment 1 will assess LO 1 and 2
Assessment 2 will assess LO 3,4,5,6,8
Assessment 3 will assess LO 4,5,7,8
Assessments 4 and 5 will assess all LOs

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Wilson, D and Game, C. (2011). Local Government in the United Kingdom: Palgrave MacMillan, London
Winnet, R & Raynor, G. (2009). No Expenses Spared: Bantam, London
Wrigley, C. (2015). British Trade Unions since 1933, Cambridge: Cambridge  University Press
Zion, L & Craig, D. (2015). Ethics for Digital Journalists: Routledge, London

Websites
www.nccl.org.uk
www.parliament.uk
mediastandardstrust.org/
www.legislation.gov.uk

Twitter
@secretbarrister
@humanrightsinfo
@cpsuk
@lawyerist
@Legalcheek
@Legalweek