Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Professional Development and Practice in Journalism
SCQF level: 10:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: JAC10128
Module leader: Miranda Hurst
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:

In this module you will prepare for the professional and/or academic challenges you will face after graduation. You will learn how to determine career ambitions, how to research strategies and methods to achieve your aspirations and how to develop your self-promotional and presentation skills. You will also learn how to conduct yourself appropriately within the context of current professional practice. You will learn about the laws, policies, ethics and practices germane to journalism and associated careers.You will identify, research and develop a self-initiated portfolio and website that will provide you with a foundation for your professional development for your graduate career ambitions.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Critically reflect upon and develop an appropriate level of professionalism in your chosen career pathway.

LO2: Formulate and test plans to achieve your career development ambitions and solutions to challenges that arise.

LO3: Develop professional presentation skills appropriate to your vocational specialism and/or educational ambitions.

LO4: Organise your time and knowledge to function as an autonomous professional.

LO5: Integrate into your professional practices and self-presentation ethical and professional values appropriate to your career and/or educational pathway.
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: Miranda Hurst
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 18 Lectures guiding you through the academic assessments for this module and outlining many of the industry approaches which will then be put to practice in workshops. Lectures will be recorded to support your independent learning and will include subtitles.
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 18 Practical classes and workshops, including talks from industry professionals. This will take place over 8 full day sessions, encompassing individual and group learning. Group tutorials will be offered focussed on discussing the formative assessment task and will involve a peer feedback session. This is intended to support all students in the tutorial to learn from each other fostering an assessment for learning approach.
Online Guided independent study 164 Guided independent study. Each week reading materials and resources will be issued on Moodle (these will also be shared via the Module leganto list at the beginning of the module should you wish more time to engage with the materials). You will prepare and present employability and self-evaluation strategies designed to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, and mechanisms for entering the journalism workplace.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Portfolio 80 1~2~3~4~5 Week 12 , WORDS= 4000 words You will produce a portfolio of research strategies, career plans and self-analytical techniques for developing your self-promotional and presentation skills. This portfolio will include examples of your work, self-evaluation and action plans, sample CVs and cover letters.
Project - Practical 20 1~2~3~5 Week 13 HOURS= 1000 words You will create a professional online portfolio presenting yourself as a journalist, or in your associated career. This should showcase examples of your work, demonstrating your professional experience and skills as relevant to your chosen career.
Component 1 subtotal: 80
Component 2 subtotal: 20
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
Professional Development and Practice in Journalism
 

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