module specification

This module introduces students to different ways of interpreting and understanding the journalistic sphere, challenging dominant perspectives to include sociological, political and economic approaches to deconstructing media content in newspapers and their websites, TV and radio news, and social media news feeds.

Understanding will be underpinned by knowledge of media theorists and political/economic  philosophy. Students will also be introduced to alternative ways of looking at and understanding news coverage of war, miscarriages of justice and confessional journalism. The value of, and issues arising from, subjectivity in journalism will illuminate and challenge dominant narratives. The role of the so-called Fifth Estate will further expose issues surrounding prevailing power structures influencing journalistic content.

Students will be introduced to ethical and legal considerations throughout to consolidate their grasp of the world of journalism, challenging malpractice and encouraging professional integrity which is committed to the public interest.

The module will take a global perspective in exploring these ideas, challenging the monocultural restraints of UK mainstream media, thus embracing the decolonisation of curriculum values of London Metropolitan University, and reflecting the vibrant international diversity of our cohort.

This content will be used to develop transferable skills of critical thinking and analysis, crucial to employability.

Critical thinking and presentation skills will be enhanced by students working individually, in small groups and contributing to whole group discussions in a workshop format built on discussions, presentations, research, screenings, plus a range of guest speakers.

The module will be assessed by two essays and contributions to an online journal, which is moderated by tutors at the end of the year.

This entire syllabus is aimed at the development of critical, analytical thinking and expression. LO 1, 2, 3, 4,

Students will investigate the works of Stanley Cohen, Galtung & Ruge, Bourdieu and Marx to understand how politics and ownership, monocultural newsroom cultures and news values shape content in news media products. LO 1, 2, 3, 4

From an international perspective, students will explore the role of whistleblowers in journalism and democracy, and the ethical issues surrounding journalism based on their revelations in relation to media ownership and political pressures. LO 1,

Coverage of war and the perspectives revealed will show students the importance of truth and bravery in pursuit of accuracy and full disclosure in the face of dominant power structures. These issues will be further explored through an introduction to the power of campaigning journalism to bring societal change in the public interest. LO 1, 3,

The phenomenon of subjective and confessional journalism will be interrogated to reveal positive and negative trends, including exploitation of journalists, particularly women, by dominant power structures. LO 1, 2,

Basic fundamentals of law and regulation will be introduced to help students navigate the world of published/broadcast news. LO 1,

The guest speaker programme will deepen their understandings of the journalistic field, its agents and dilemmas. Discussions generated by guest speakers will develop collaboration and critical thinking. LO 1, 4,

Finally, through writing on these ideas, alternative perspectives and key texts, students will sharpen their writing and presentation skills through reflective processes and feedback from staff and other students. LO 1, 3,

Learning and teaching strategy will be based on an interactive model.

For most of the 15 teaching weeks, a three-hourly session will require students to listen to exposition, 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 and each other.
Regular guest speakers will present issues to be discussed weekly and commented on in journals. These discussions will form part of the class contribution assessment.
In enhancement and news weeks, guest speakers and screenings will complement one-to-one tutorial and coaching sessions.

Feedback will be given one-to-one in class and electronically. Electronic resources, including the university’s Weblearn tools, will be used by students and staff.
The aim is to develop transferable social as well as academic skills, with a view to employability.
The module will be supported by a VLE site containing notes, readings, and extended bibliographies, and weblinks.

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.
They should be able to:
1. Through written work and presentations, demonstrate a familiarity with deconstructing dominant narratives in journalism.
2. Use the theories discussed in class to explain how and why power structures and cultural influences deliver journalistic content in its current form.
3. Employ the ideas and works of others to substantiate and illuminate their own ideas, through oral and written presentation;
4. Write academic essays, following the norms of presentation, structure and referencing and using analytical argument;

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/65701B49-1CB8-9E8B-F43E-EB976143D82B.html?lang=en-GB&login=1

Bourdieu, Pierre (1999) On Television. London: New Press [CORE]
Chomsky, Noam (2010) Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media. London: Vintage. Available as e-book.
Cohen, Stanley (2002) Folk Devils and Moral Panics. London: Routledge [CORE]
Coward, Ros (2013) Personally Speaking: The Rise of Subjective and Confessional Journalism. London: Palgrave
Davies, Nick (2009) Flat Earth News. London: Vintage
Fisher, Max (2023) The Chaos Machine: The Inside Story of How Social Media Rewired our Minds and the World. London: Quercus
Frost, Chris (2011) Journalism: Ethics and regulation. London: Longman. [CORE]
Grenfell, Michael (2012) Pierre Bourdieu: Key Concepts. London: Routledge
Lane, Jeremy (2000) Pierre Bourdieu : A Critical Introduction. London : Pluto
Marx, Karl and Engels, Friedrich (2002) The Communist Manifesto. London: Penguin. [CORE]
Marcello, Muston (2020) The Marx Revival: Key Concepts and New Interpretations. Cambridge University Press.
Pilger, John (2005) Tell Me No Lies: Investigative Journalism and Its Triumphs. London: Vintage
Wayne, Mike (2003) Marxism and Media Studies. London: Pluto
Websites:
Marxists’ Internet Archive https://www.marxists.org/english.htm
TV:
Pierre Carles, Sociology is a Martial Art documentary https://vimeo.com/92709274

Stuart Hall, Karl Marx and Marxism documentary https://vimeo.com/92709274