LT134-4-FY-CO:
Public Affairs
2015/16
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
30
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Requisites for this module
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BA P500 Multimedia Journalism
This module provides an introduction to the workings of central and local government and social and political institutions at local, national and European levels, in the context of reporting the workings of government at all levels in an informed and engaging way.
It also contributes to the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism. At the end of the module you will sit the NCTJ examination in Essential Public Affairs.
Aims
The aim of the module is to give you a knowledge and understanding of how government and society work, which will in turn enable you to find, assess, analyse and tell stories about government at all levels. Many of these stories will be found in published data. It is an important prerequisite to one of the key responsibilities of journalism, that of holding power to account.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module, you will have:
1. a detailed understanding of how the machinery of government works, at all levels.
2. a knowledge of the public services and how they operate
3. an understanding of the devolved UK and the relationships between the four nations of the UK
4. an understanding of the relationships between local government, central government, the European Union, and international institutions such as the UN, NATO and the IMF.
5. gained practical experience of the workings of local government, attending and reporting on local council meetings.
6. been prepared to take the NCTJ Public Affairs exam, which is a key element of the NCTJ Diploma.
Syllabus
Term 1 and Term 2
Your classes you during will take you through the details of how democracy works in action, the processes and decision-making powers of individuals, institutions and the nations of the United Kingdom.
The classes will cover: the British constitution; the role of the monarchy; Parliament, and how laws are made; the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, the legislative programme; the role of the Treasury; the role of the Opposition; coalition government; local government structure and workings; local, national and European elections; devolution-who exercises what powers; international relations and institutions; FOI and the right to know; holding government to account; spin, and how to recognise it; the European Union.
Part-way through Term 1 you will begin to attend and write reports on council and other meetings, and when these are associated with work experience, your reports may appear in print.
Term 3
During the summer term you will revise for and sit the NCTJ exam in Essential Public Affairs.
No information available.
No information available.
No additional information available.
The teaching will be conducted in class in weekly two-hour sessions led by Journalism staff and guest lecturers with specialist knowledge.
Field trips to council meetings will be arranged by students with help and guidance from the Placements Manager. When you begin work experience, you can expect reporting local politics to become part of the work you will be asked to undertake.
Revision workshops in term 3 - preparation for NCTJ exam.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Class Test 1 |
|
|
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
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Professor Jonathan Baker, Mr Paul Anderson, Dr Fatima el Issawii, Mr Tim Fenton
LiFTS Taught Team - email liftstt@essex.ac.uk.
Telephone 01206 872626
No
No
No
Dr Karen Fowler-Watt
Bournemouth University
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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