News and Current AffairsLaajuus (5 ECTS)

Objective

Students know the mission and significance of journalism in society. They are able to analyze the impact of journalism. Students know the fundamentals of the journalistic work process. Students are able to make observations, acquire information and choose an angle for their journalistic work. Students know the basic interviewing techniques. They are able to critically assess the material they have collected while doing research.
Students know the foundations of news and current affairs production and understand the challenges of change and the international character of news reporting.
Students understand the importance of following the news and current affairs closely. Students are well versed in the structure of a news story and news values. Students are able to select the essential information for a news story, write a news bulletin and produce different versions of the same story for television, radio and the web. Students master the journalistic audio and video storytelling. Students can design and execute a television news story. Students know the structure of a newscast and the techniques of dramatic composition of the news. Students are capable of working as a member of a news team and they understand the importance of timely completion of duties.
Students are able to generate ideas, do research, choose appropriate interviewees and create an angle for the program. Students know how to organize a complex body of information into a clear entity.
Students are able to refine story ideas, evaluate them and give feedback on the contents. They can estimate the need for resources, draw up a production plan and work as a member of a team.
Students know how to edit a news story to suit different media outlets. Students know the means visual expression and audiovisual journalism and they are able to use them when they are directing programs. Students know the principles relating to the technical execution, production management and work practices in the different areas of news production. Students know the directing cues and directing methods. Students master the techniques of camera operation, lighting, audio recording and editing and take their possibilities and challenges into consideration when directing a program.

Content

- Observation
- Information acquisition and source criticism
- Media industry and job roles
- Audiences and target groups
- Interviewing techniques
- Structure of a news story
- News values
- News bulletin
- Producing a segment
- Outside broadcasting
- Television newscast
- Radio newscast
- Reporting for multiple platforms

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Attendance in classes. Assignments completed. Some parts of the assignments need improvement.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Active participation in classes. Ability to apply the learned knowledge.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Active participation in classes. Ability to apply the learned knowledge and to reflect on it. Development driven approach to coursework. Generation of new knowledge in order to contribute to the class.