The Online Journalism module for MA students at City University in the Department of Journalism consists of consists of 20 weeks of and over Term 1 & 2.

Course Aims

To meet the industry’s requirement for journalists who appreciate, understand and are able to work and participate in the development of the World Wide Web both as a news/feature medium and as a research tool.

To develop the skills to access, analyse and critically assess information available on the Internet, to examine the impact of the medium on the international availability of journalism and on traditional print and broadcast media and to provide the skills needed in the production of content, editing and construction of news web sites.

Course Outcomes

After completing this module, you will

• apply techniques for finding, analysing and assessing information available on the Internet for application in all forms of journalism
• understand content creation for the Web and the ways in which it differs from traditional print and broadcast journalism
• be able to demonstrate a knowledge of code and software including blogs, image editing, content management, multimedia creation and web 2.0
• understand the debates surrounding journalism in a transformative media landscape

Outline syllabus

(Please note: Current issues both in news and the development of the Internet will be incorporated into this module.)

The course has two principal elements:

The impact of the Internet on news

We will investigate the main areas of impact; in particular forms of online journalism, convergence and multimedia, ethics and legal issues and web 2.0

Practical journalism for the Web

We will examine the concept of web-based content management systems, site design and structure and how these can enhance the delivery of journalistic content. Read more about this .

Teaching and learning strategies

The module will use both lectures and lab workshops, to form analysis of media products, discussions, seminars, formative feedback and project work.

Creation of a mutlimedia portfolio and reflexive analysis. An aggregate of 50% is required to pass the course.

Assessment criteria

All assessed work should demonstrate original research, writing and design (as appropriate). Multimedia portfolio and reflexive analysis will be expected to conform to good journalistic or academic practice according to the brief. Practical project work should demonstrate an understanding of the importance of effective communication and the user’s needs. Further guidance will be given with each mode of assessment.

Recommended Reading

Foust, J.C. (2004) Online Journalism: Principles and Practices of News for the
Web Holcomb Hathaway Publishing
Gillmor, Dan. (2006) We the media : grassroots journalism by the people, for the people
Beijing ; Farnham : O’Reilly
Shea, Dave. (2005) The zen of CSS design : visual enlightenment for the web
Berkeley, Calif. : New Riders/Peachpit Press
Stovall, J.G. (2004) Web Journalism. Practice and Promise of a New Medium
Pearson