Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Sports News Reporting
SCQF level: 11:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: JAC11145
Module leader: David Tanner
School School of Arts and Creative Industries
Subject area group: Media and Humanities
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added
Description of module content:

This module will present an introduction to sports journalism and to the sports industry. You will gain knowledge and understanding of current journalism practice in sports reporting and writing, interview techniques, feature writing and creating digital, multimedia content for online sites and social media platforms.The Sports News Reporting module is designed to provide you with an in-depth understanding of the principles, techniques, and practices of sports journalism. This module is focused on writing techniques, where you will learn fundamental skills to become a sports journalist. The module aims to develop your experience in sports reporting and writing, and to provide you with the ability to analyse and critically evaluate sports news stories. You will have the chance to engage in newsdays, that simulate the industry standards for digital content production. You will also learn from the work of established sports journalists and get inspired to produce your own pieces. Sports writing is a varied and broad area which includes events reporting, news writing, tactical analysis, live social media presentation, and the coverage of different sports industries. The module will equip you to understand and use the language and jargon of different sports and to effectively communicate with both general and specialist audiences and viewers.The module also supports and encourages you to seek press accreditation at different clubs and organisations and attend matches and events to put your skills to practice. You will receive ongoing guidance from your tutors, and you are expected to pro-actively engage in sports reporting and other sort of sport related news content production to build a portfolio.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Evidence knowledge and critical understanding of skills required for producing professional sports reporting.

LO2: Exercise appropriate journalistic judgment to apply the principles, techniques, and regulatory constraints involved in newsgathering and sports journalism writing.

LO3: Understand and engage in critical dialogue with different audiences. Demonstrate the capacity to generate ideas and write stories for different audiences using appropriate tone, register and content in your journalistic output.

LO4: Critically appraise important concepts, tactics and key-issues within different modalities in the sports industry.

LO5: Conceptualise and critically evaluate current industry practice in sports reporting.

LO6: Critically reflect upon and evaluate contextual readings, and research, to formulate evidence-based arguments.
Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2025/6, Trimester 1, In Person,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: David Tanner
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Lecture 12 The lectures will provide you with specific subject inputs and teach you the necessary skills to become a proficient sports journalist. They will delve into the work of professional sports journalists across various formats, providing exposure to industry standards and workflows.
Face To Face Tutorial 24 Through in-class workshops and writing sessions, you will have the opportunity to receive ongoing feedback on your work and produce written journalistic content that will help you hone your skills. Moreover, you will get to discuss the work of established journalists and learn about industry standards.
Online Guided independent study 164 During the guided independent learning time you are encouraged to attend sports events at your discretion to put into practice the writing skills developed in class. You will use the opportunities to work on your portfolio. Also, supported by recommended reading, you will be working on an essay.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Portfolio 50 1~2~3~4 Week 9 , WORDS= 2500 words You will produce approximately 5 distinct sports news stories in a variety of content types such as news stories, match previews, match reports, feature/profile pieces, all to be negotiated with your module leader. The stories can be local, national or international but must be current. The portfolio should evidence your journalistic research skills and include facts, statistics and fresh quotes from interviews you have sourced.
Practical Skills Assessment 25 1~2~3~4 Week 12 HOURS= 1 day This is a student-led simulation of a real-world newsroom in which you will source topical stories, pitch, research and write copy to deadline, edit copy, write headlines and produce work to professional standard for print and online outlets. A group mark is awarded. The news day output is online, with work published on the edinburghnapiernews.com platform.
Essay 25 1~2~4~5~6 Week 13 , WORDS= 1500 words You will write an essay that critically reflects on and offers a commentary about your individual participation in the group news days. You should consider the details of your role, why and how you did what you did. You should use academic sources to underpin and evidence learning made. This piece can be written in first person but must be academic in style with an attached bibliography. You are aiming to show (with evidence) the skills learned and employed in the practical work - use references to underpin learning and the arguments you are constructing.
Component 1 subtotal: 50
Component 2 subtotal: 50
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
Sports News Reporting
 

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