LT242-5-AU-CO:
International Journalism and News Reporting

The details
2024/25
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
15
21 August 2024

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

BA P590 Journalism and Modern Languages,
BA P510 Journalism and English Language,
BA P511 Journalism and English Language (Including Placement Year),
BA P512 Journalism and English Language (Including Year Abroad),
BA P595 Journalism and Language Studies

Module description

This module introduces you to the theory and practice of journalism in a global context, and current important debates in media and communication. It aims to complement the practical skills you have developed in producing for multiple media platforms.


The module addresses contemporary trends at the heart of global journalism and ensuing critical questions, by exploring journalistic practices and their meaning in different political, regulatory and cultural contexts.


It aims to expand your horizons to assess critical questions going beyond the simple production of a news story. We will explore topical and timely issues such as globalisation, mediatization and mediation, framing conflicts, international politics, propaganda, democracy, and populism, among other important topics.


Teaching will blend introductions to major theoretical frameworks with discussions of case studies from international media. In addition, you will learn from guest lecturers and leading international reporters, on their practices and major challenges of reporting international news.


The module is of particular interest for students looking for a career in international media or who have a specific interest–-and curiosity--in international news and current affairs beyond news production.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  • Help students develop an understanding of journalism in a global context going beyond their local environment

  • Introduce students to major theoretical frameworks and critical debates in global media and communication

  • Complement students’ practical training by helping them develop research and analytical skills

  • Provide students with first-hand understanding of major challenges in reporting foreign news from leading international reporters

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Adopt a critical approach to news production from an international perspective.

  2. Develop an in-depth knowledge in major current debates in media and communication in a global context.

  3. Acquire a critical awareness of journalistic practices and their significance in different cultural and political contexts.

  4. Understand the continuously changing media and communication landscapes in the digital age.

  5. Gain a sophisticated approach to major debates in international politics.

  6. Assess the role of journalism and media in public debate in democratic and non-democratic environments.

  7. Build analytical skills to complement their practical training.

  8. Obtain the necessary support to develop their presentation skills.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • Weekly 2-hour combined lectures/seminars

Bibliography

  • ‘Journalists as peacekeeping force? Peace journalism and mass communication theory’ (no date). Available at: https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/14616700412331296419.
  • ‘Countering Algorithmic Bias and Disinformation and Effectively Harnessing the Power of AI in Media’ (no date).
  • ‘How Russia weaponized social media, got caught and escaped consequences’ (no date).
  • ‘The news that’s not used: 8 forgotten humanitarian crises to know about’ (no date).
  • ‘The words we use when describing others can be important if we want to avoid a slide to something worse.’ (no date b).
  • ‘Russia and the Menace of Unreality’ (no date b).
  • ‘These women-led newsrooms are helping change journalism in the Global South’ (no date b).
  • ‘Racism, misogyny, lies: how did X become so full of hatred? And is it ethical to keep using it?’ (no date).
  • ‘AI hit by copyright claims as companies approach “data frontier”’ (no date a).
  • ‘AI hit by copyright claims as companies approach “data frontier”’ (no date b).
  • ‘Hind Rajab’s killing sums up the hell that Gaza has become’ (no date).
  • ‘Why humanised media coverage of Gaza is so important’ (no date).
  • ‘Trust in media: UK drops to last place in Edelman survey of 28 nations’ (no date).
  • Mutsvairo, B., Bebawi, S. and Borges-Rey, E. (eds) (2023) Routledge Companion to Journalism in the Global South. London: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
  • Hilsum, L. (2019) In Extremis. Picador USA.
  • Silverstone, R. (2013) Media and Morality. John Wiley and Sons Ltd.
  • Hilsum, L. (2024) I Brought the War with Me. New edition. London: Vintage Publishing.
  • Cottle, S. (2006) Mediatized conflict: developments in media and conflict studies. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=287846.
  • Clarke, J. and Bromley, M. (2012) International news in the digital age: East-West perceptions of a new world order. New York: Routledge. Available at: http://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9780203804674.
  • Chadwick, A. (2017) The Hybrid Media System: Politics and power. Second edition. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190696726.001.0001.
  • Pickard, V.W. (2019) Democracy without journalism?: confronting the misinformation society. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190946753.001.0001.
  • Hanitzsch, T. et al. (eds) (2019) Worlds of journalism: journalistic cultures around the globe. New York, NY: Columbia University Press. Available at: https://www.degruyter.com/books/9780231546638.
  • Howard, P.N. and Hussain, M.M. (2013) Democracy’s fourth wave?: digital media and the Arab Spring. New York: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199936953.001.0001.
  • Waisbord, S. (2000) Watchdog Journalism in South America. NY: Columbia University Press.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Presentation (20 minutes)  11/12/2024  45% 
Coursework   Essay (1,500 words)  11/12/2024  50% 
Practical   Participation     5% 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Fatima El Issawi, email: feliss@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Fatima el Issawi
LiFTS General Office – email liftstt@essex.ac.uk Telephone 01206 872626

 

Availability
Yes
Yes
Yes

External examiner

Prof Jairo Alfonso Lugo-Ocando
College of Communication, University of Sharjah, UAE
Dean and Professor of Journalism
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 574 hours, 6 (1%) hours available to students:
568 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).

 

Further information
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies

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