Core Module Information
Module title: Covering the Arts

SCQF level: 08:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10

Module code: JAC08127
Module leader: Allan Boughey
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 develops your journalistic skills, knowledge and critical understanding of the UK arts and culture industries. Through a practical and analytical approach, you will explore how journalists cover the arts across different media, including live event reviews, previews, features and profiles. Building on the reporting and writing skills acquired in earlier modules, you will learn how to apply journalistic techniques to arts coverage while critically reflecting on its role, ethics and cultural value.

Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Demonstrate knowledge and awareness of the practices and cultural significance of the UK arts and culture industries.

LO2: Analyse the forms, functions and conventions of arts and culture journalism across different media.

LO3: Apply journalistic techniques to research, preview and review live arts events to professional standards.

LO4: Evaluate and compare different approaches to reviewing and arts criticism, drawing on relevant examples and theory.

LO5: Produce original arts journalism that reflects critical understanding, ethical awareness and engagement with contemporary arts and culture.

Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2025/6, Trimester 2, 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: Allan Boughey
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Lecture 12 Weekly lectures will introduce and explore key concepts, practices and debates within arts and culture journalism. You will engage critically with the relationship between journalism and the arts, examining how cultural value is constructed, communicated and contested through media coverage. Lectures will combine discussion of contemporary examples with historical and theoretical perspectives to help you develop an informed and reflective understanding of this specialist field.
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 12 Workshops provide opportunities to apply and experiment with journalistic techniques in a practical setting. You will compare and evaluate different reviewing and writing styles, develop your own voice as an arts journalist, and produce original journalistic content based on live events and cultural experiences. Feedback and peer discussion will help you refine your analytical and creative skills while working to professional standards.
Face To Face External visits 8 Class field trips to live arts and culture events will be arranged.
Online Guided independent study 168 You will work independently to illustrate your ability in media coverage of arts and cultural events and issues. You are encouraged to attend events in your own time.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Portfolio 75 1~2~3~5 Week 12 , WORDS= 1800 words You will produce a portfolio of arts journalism comprising a minimum of one preview and two reviews based on events or releases of your choice. Two of these pieces should be written in a format suitable for print or online publication, while one should be created as a multimedia piece designed for native, on-platform delivery on social media. Your portfolio should demonstrate your ability to research, write and present arts journalism to professional standards, showing awareness of audience, medium and style.
Oral Presentation 25 1~2~3~4 Week 13 HOURS= 5 mins You will deliver a five-minute in-class presentation reflecting on the development of your portfolio and associated outputs. This presentation will demonstrate your learning across the module by linking theory to practice, discussing how you responded to feedback, and evaluating your creative and editorial decisions in relation to audience, platform, demographics and professional journalistic standards. An alternative you can choose the option of a pre-recorded presentation as part of the brief.
Component 1 subtotal: 100
Component 2 subtotal: 0
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
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