module specification

This module develops the advanced professional skills students learn at Level 5. With a focus on print magazines, you will learn to identify subject matter and potential readerships, and how to put together, write, design and brand your own print magazine. You will learn research, interviewing, writing and editing techniques, on-the-spot reportage, and how to find original angles and relevant sources for stories, to a stage where you will originate and source the elements for your own journalism packages.

You will publish a print magazine in groups, using the techniques learned in InDesign, based on a subject area of your own choice, rather than as directed by tutors. This is an exciting chance to create your own magazine in print.

You will choose your own editorial role in your magazine, approved by the group, and will have self-reflective weekly journal entries in which you have to assess your own work, your editorial roles and your participation in group contributions to class, including group and individual oral presentations (where attendance is mandatory). This will be moderated by tutor.

Assessment will consist of a group presentation, weekly Production Journal entries, and one portfolio of work consisting of three articles, fashioned into a print magazine self-directed by students and put together by the group.

As part of the module, each student must produce a portfolio of three features for print iterations of their project, laid out in InDesign:

● A general or news feature
● A reporting story on a live event
● A profile interview

Students who successfully complete this module will learn about magazine branding, writing for a target audience, developing their own voice and tone in feature writing, choosing topics appropriate for different audiences, how advertisements contribute to magazine revenue, and more. You will also learn how to put together a magazine on InDesign using visual elements, fonts, imagery, colour, typeface specifications to make the publication a unique brand, based on market research. You will also learn the pros and cons of group work.

The main focus of this module is on advanced professional writing skills, which are highlighted, and the development of journalistic content within magazine formats LO1

Working in groups, developing social skills, students will explore a subject-specific project of their own choice, in depth. This subject, to be agreed with tutors, must allow the students to conduct and write in-depth interviews, on-the-sport reportage, and data-based features, which they learn to order and re-order for the different requirements of printed text and online. LO2, LO3

A variety of approaches and writing styles will be explored, including news and report writing for newspapers and magazines, and students will be encouraged to explore how unique voices are created. LO2, LO4

Groups will develop how different styles are used or adapted online as in the written word. LO2, LO3

Students will develop skills in identifying subject matter and potential readerships, research, the use of different datasets, interviewing and editing techniques, on-the-spot reportage, and finding original angles and relevant sources for stories. LO3, LO4,

They will source and develop the printing of their magazines, as well as advertisements. LO1, LO2

They will sharpen writing and presentation skills through reflecting on feedback from staff and other students. News days will be used to focus on teamwork and deadlines. [LO1]

Such written work will help demonstrate employability for the PDP/e-portfolio

The module will be taught on an interactive, workshop-based model, normally with a lecture at the beginning of each lesson with a workshop of group work following.

At the start, the module will focus on the development of news and feature writing in different iterations. Detailed in–class exercises on how to mine data and research methods, and an out-of-class on-the-spot reportage assignment, will familiarise students with professional skills.

Students will be expected to write in class and to discuss their work, as well as participate in class discussions. Students will work in groups, and together with the tutor develop a magazine project, taking account of the “pillars” of journalism – audience, style and vision.

Groups will then work together on developing journalistic packages. Each student must produce three features for print iterations of their project, laid out in InDesign as part of their group work (finished magazine). These ideas must be developed within the group, to produce a varied package. Students will also be required to get advertisements for their magazines.

Students must allow self-assess their own work, their editorial roles and their participation in group contributions to class, including group and individual oral presentations (where attendance is mandatory). This will be recorded weekly after class in their Production Journals and be moderated by the tutor.

News days will allow a virtual professional environment to foster team-building and employability. Working in small teams will develop social as well as academic skills. Guest speakers will enhance learning.

The module will be supported by a VLE site containing notes, readings and extended bibliographies, and weblinks. Publication will provide material for pdp/e-portfolio

If students read all the required texts, participate in all the class activities, and complete the required assessments and assignments, they will develop professional skills. They should be able to:

1. Work in groups to originate and source a self-directed journalism project from beginning to end, including the use of InDesign, Photoshop and other technical skills; (LO1)
2. Successfully adapt professional skills, including writing news reportage and features arising from topical issues to different formats, platforms and iterations; (LO2)
3. Learn all about magazine branding, how magazine editors cultivate a target audience, and how colour, typeface, visual imagery, tone, and choice/angle of the article make a publication unique (LO3)
4. Identify and interview appropriate sources within relevant organisations, to write in-depth interviews and feature stories (LO4)

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/B56A60C0-2D7E-D393-4673-B7BDF5F3211D.html?lang=en&login=1