BA (Hons) Journalism

You will develop basic knowledge of key issues affecting the journalism industry including how it has evolved over time, looking at issues such as the changing economics of journalism and the influence of technology.

This module aims to develop your skills required to identify and source news stories, including finding contacts, effective interviewing and first-class research skills. You will be taught in seminars in which students will practice conducting different types of interviews and develop practical skills, using appropriate sources of information and identifying contacts. Seminars will also cover how to critically analyse good practice and journalistic processes.

This module aims to hone sourcing, reporting and interview skills developed in semester one. You will apply these skills to the reporting of courts, councils and other such institutions, while developing an understanding of the importance of health and safety when working as a journalist.

This module will prepare you for the NCTJ professional diploma examinations in Essential Media Law and Broadcast Regulation.

This module introduces you to the fundamentals of writing news and the conventions of journalism practice.

This module provides an introduction to broadcast. You will be taught current professional broadcast conventions and develop the basic technical skills necessary to produce material for radio and/or TV. You will learn how to write for broadcast and develop story treatments; you will become familiar with industry-standard software as you learn how to shoot and edit video and how to capture and edit audio.

This module gives you the opportunity to work as part of a news/sports news production team to create and update your own website. You'll learn how to craft web- and mobile-friendly headlines and write online stories designed to rank highly in search engine results (Search Engine Optimisation). You'll have hands-on experience of using an industry-standard content management system (CMS) such as WordPress, and use web analytics to tailor your content to your audience. The module will equip you to understand how user generated content (UGC) can be used to increase audience engagement, as well as provide additional content for your website. You'll take a critical look at the case for and against moderating user content, including issues of taste, decency and legality. Finally, you’ll use social media as a way to promote your website and as a source of fresh story ideas.

You will learn how to research, write and produce high-quality, professional standard reports for radio and/or TV. You will develop research skills in sourcing original stories and producing them ethically and accurately for broadcast. Students will become familiar with the technology, techniques, language and conventions of broadcast newsrooms; using electronic newsroom systems, recording audio, filming and editing to produce material in line with current professional broadcast practice. You will be expected to demonstrate developing skills in writing for broadcast including structure, introductions, understanding story treatments and writing to pictures. This module is designed to reflect the best current practice in broadcast newsrooms in the UK.

This module will prepare students for the NCTJ professional diploma examinations in Public Affairs for Journalists.

You will develop and evaluate their journalistic and transferable skills to design and create multimedia products reflecting industry-standard journalistic practice. Newsdays will provide a real-time work-based learning environment for you to develop your understanding of professional requirements, deadlines, management and team working with the further acquisition and application of technical skills in the production of journalism artefacts. You will work in flexible, creative and independent ways, showing self-discipline, self-direction to communicate effectively in team settings, and in a variety of media, showing an understanding of target audiences and a developing news sense.

You will gain knowledge of key contemporary issues within the journalism industry and explore questions about the media's role in a modern, democratic society. This will include questions of diversity and inclusion such as changing attitudes towards the representation of different demographic groups and questions of inclusion within the media workforce. The module will include an examination of the international context of UK journalism and consideration of issues around decolonising journalism, for example questions of stereotyping in reporting of the developing world, and questions of universal news values. Students will develop an understanding of the ways in which the historical development of journalism continues to shape and influence the modern industry (for example through regulation, ownership, economic and technological factors).

This module develops planning skills, page design skills, editing, interviewing and feature writing. The skills learned in this module will help prepare students for news days at level six, where interviewing, writing and editing will be required. 

The aim is to provide students with an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner that will complement their programme at LJMU. This is an additional year of full-time study at an approved higher education institution. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be appropriate for the student's programme of study. Assuming successful completion of this year, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the University Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be used will be made available in advance of the year abroad.

You will develop and reflect on their journalistic and transferable skills to design and create multimedia products reflecting industry-standard practice. Newsdays will provide a real-time work-based learning environment for students to deepen your understanding of professional requirements, and the acquisition and application of technical skills in the production of journalism artefacts.

This module enables you to apply and evaluate your skills in a professional setting. It also provides you with the means to identify your skills and match them to the employment market. You are expected to provide evidence of a work placement.

This module allows you to carry out a major project of private study and research. The dissertation is student led but supported by a series of lectures on methods and techniques followed by one-to-one supervision with a suitably qualified supervisor.

This module enables you to develop your understanding and practice of the reporting/function of sport in modern news-oriented media. You will also gain a greater understanding of sport as a cultural and economic entity, underpinning notions of joy and despair and providing a peaceful platform for the expression of civic and national pride. You will study through workshops and real-time learning simulations, as well as live match reporting exercises on location.

The Journalism Final Project gives you an opportunity to design and create individual innovative journalism products for a defined audience. You will build on skills developed at Level 4 and 5 to identify a suitable topic and market for your project and to produce an artefact matching professional standards. Examples include a magazine, website, video or audio documentary or a portfolio of professional journalism produced as part of an extended work placement to be agreed by the project supervisor. You will also reflect on the production of the project and their personal skills development.

You will develop a critical understanding of the purpose of features and associated forms of writing such as reviews and opinion.

You will construct and develop features/review ideas and write original material in a variety of specialist areas such as arts, lifestyle and culture. You will also analyse the impact of audience, market, available sources and other constraints on magazine production.

This module is designed to equip a student journalist with the photography skills required to produce images of publishable quality that meet news industry standards. It is an option which aims to build on the essential skills learned in L4 and L5 with more advanced techniques in producing professional still news and sports images.

The way a photojournalist behaves is also central to their skills base. It is designed to equip candidates with an understanding of the legal and ethical issues which confront journalists in their day-to-day work when taking photographs. You will learn skills using more advanced photographic kit, producing imagery for digital and print platforms, various forms of photography including live action, photo-calls, location work, creative lighting, and multiple imagery for slideshows. And you will learn about the commercial importance of stills photography within industry and roles of freelance and staff photographers.

The court system; court reporting restrictions; contempt of court; anonymity rules in court reporting; defamation in court reporting; accessing court information; open justice; reporting inquests; a journalist rights in reporting councils, government and other public bodies; the application of the Freedom of Information Act.

This module will prepare you for the NCTJ professional diploma examinations in Introduction to PR and Communications.