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MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
Digital Journalism In Practice
Reference	CB2018	Version	1
Created	March 2024	SCQF Level	SCQF 8
Approved	June 2018	SCQF Points	15
Amended	May 2019	ECTS Points	7.5

Aims of Module
To enable the student to develop a critical and practical understanding of the ways in which journalism is adapting to the digital environment and a broad skills base in multimedia storytelling and content creation. This module combines audience-specific newsgathering with theoretical reflection and the teaching of practical skills in online and digital journalism.

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1	Practise journalistic skills in newsgathering and story production for the digital environment.
2	Undertake story planning, sourcing and publication for a range of digital media platforms.
3	Show an understanding of digital journalism principles through quality publications.
4	Show an understanding of the importance of audience targeting and content optimisation in digital journalism.

Indicative Module Content
Multimedia newsgathering and digital story production for a defined niche audience at local or national level; delivering journalistic content in a range of multimedia forms for digital platforms; reflecting critically on digital journalism practice and the challenges facing the industry, including its financial and social sustainability; applying an understanding of the issues and debates surrounding the digitisation of journalism to day-to-day practice. The module aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions by developing students' understanding of journalism as an institution that is a pillar of social sustainability, democracy, global human rights, and public deliberation. It also aligns with the UN SDG Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, in its focus on pioneering approaches to storytelling, innovation and economic sustainability in the journalism industry as a way to enhance the information infrastructure to increase public access to high-quality information through digital communication technology, and to create sustainable business models for journalism in the digital age. The module engages students with UNESCO's Education for Sustainable Development Anticipatory, Critical Thinking, Systems Thinking, Self-Awareness, Collaboration, and Integrated Problem-Solving competencies in terms of: a) evaluating and anticipating the ramifications, risks and challenges of one's own reporting; b) reflecting on one's own values, biases and place in the world in search of ethical, objective and impartial reporting practice; c) understanding systems, structures and relationships in the realities one reports on; d) listening and learning from others, and understanding and respecting the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathic leadership); and 5) facilitating collaborative, engaged and participatory problem-solving with the view to providing quality public interest journalism.

Indicative Module Content

Multimedia newsgathering and digital story production for a defined niche audience at local or national level; delivering journalistic content in a range of multimedia forms for digital platforms; reflecting critically on digital journalism practice and the challenges facing the industry, including its financial and social sustainability; applying an understanding of the issues and debates surrounding the digitisation of journalism to day-to-day practice. The module aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions by developing students' understanding of journalism as an institution that is a pillar of social sustainability, democracy, global human rights, and public deliberation. It also aligns with the UN SDG Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, in its focus on pioneering approaches to storytelling, innovation and economic sustainability in the journalism industry as a way to enhance the information infrastructure to increase public access to high-quality information through digital communication technology, and to create sustainable business models for journalism in the digital age. The module engages students with UNESCO's Education for Sustainable Development Anticipatory, Critical Thinking, Systems Thinking, Self-Awareness, Collaboration, and Integrated Problem-Solving competencies in terms of: a) evaluating and anticipating the ramifications, risks and challenges of one's own reporting; b) reflecting on one's own values, biases and place in the world in search of ethical, objective and impartial reporting practice; c) understanding systems, structures and relationships in the realities one reports on; d) listening and learning from others, and understanding and respecting the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathic leadership); and 5) facilitating collaborative, engaged and participatory problem-solving with the view to providing quality public interest journalism.

Module Delivery
This module includes lectures, seminars and practical workshops/laboratory sessions. There is a strong emphasis on newsgathering with dedicated self-led, independent sessions incorporated into teaching later in the semester. Students will also be introduced to key digital skills, including Wordpress (or similar platform) website design, blogging and video for online, and given additional training in interview techniques and the basics of analytics.

Module Delivery

This module includes lectures, seminars and practical workshops/laboratory sessions. There is a strong emphasis on newsgathering with dedicated self-led, independent sessions incorporated into teaching later in the semester. Students will also be introduced to key digital skills, including Wordpress (or similar platform) website design, blogging and video for online, and given additional training in interview techniques and the basics of analytics.

Indicative Student Workload	Full Time	Part Time
Contact Hours	33	N/A
Non-Contact Hours	117	N/A
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours	N/A	N/A
TOTAL	150	N/A
Actual Placement hours for professional, statutory or regulatory body

ASSESSMENT PLAN
If a major/minor model is used and box is ticked, % weightings below are indicative only.
Component 1
Type:	Coursework	Weighting:	100%	Outcomes Assessed:	1, 2, 3, 4
Description:	Individual Portfolio Assessment

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
The calculation of the overall grade for this module is based on 100% weighting of C1. An overall minimum grade D is required to pass the module.
Module Grade	Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
A	The student needs to achieve an A in C1.
B	The student needs to achieve a B in C1.
C	The student needs to achieve a C in C1.
D	The student needs to achieve a D in C1.
E	The student needs to achieve an E in C1.
F	0The student needs to achieve an F in C1.
NS	Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination

Module Requirements
Prerequisites for Module	None.
Corequisites for module	None.
Precluded Modules	None.

ADDITIONAL NOTES
Please update the Learning Outcomes as follows: 1. Practise journalistic skills in newsgathering and story production for the digital environment. 2. Undertake story planning, sourcing and publication for a range of digital media platforms. 3. Show an understanding of digital journalism principles through quality publications. 4. Show an understanding of the importance of audience targeting and content optimisation in digital journalism.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Please update the Learning Outcomes as follows: 1. Practise journalistic skills in newsgathering and story production for the digital environment. 2. Undertake story planning, sourcing and publication for a range of digital media platforms. 3. Show an understanding of digital journalism principles through quality publications. 4. Show an understanding of the importance of audience targeting and content optimisation in digital journalism.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1	BRADSHAW P., 2017. The online journalism handbook: skills to survive and thrive in the digital age. Second edition. London: Routledge.
2	GARRAND, T., 2006. Writing for multimedia and the web. 3rd ed. Burlington: Elsevier.
3	GRAY, J., et al., (eds), 2018. The Data Journalism Handbook. ; Available at: http://datajournalismhandbook.org/1.0/en/.
4	HERBERT, J., 2004. Journalism in the digital age: theory and practice for broadcast, print and on-line media. Oxford: Focal Press.
5	KAWAMOTO, K., 2013. Digital journalism: emerging media and the changing horizons of journalism. Lanham: Rowan and Littlefield. Kindle e-book.
6	KOLODZY, J., 2013. Convergence journalism: writing and reporting across the news media. Oxford: Rowman and Littlefield. Kindle e-book.
7	SHANAHAN, M., 2017. Journalism, online comments and the future of public discourse. Oxford: Routledge. Kindle edition.
8	WARD, M., 2013. Journalism online. Oxford: Focal Press. Kindle e-book.

Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen

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