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LONDON SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM |
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Postgraduate Attendance Course in Journalism
Course syllabus
Students will receive a thorough training in all aspects of journalism, from the first assignment as a junior reporter to the demands of a live broadcast. Media law is covered in detail, with lectures by an experienced NCTJ trainer.
The course structure is as below:
News and Features
Ethics of Journalism. Highlighting the PCC code of conduct and the standards expected of responsible journalists.
The real world of journalism. The myths and realities, the responsibilities and the ethics of the profession. The way in which the British Press has evolved and the legacy it has given to the world's Press.
An analysis of the five main categories of newspaper, from the national dailies to the provincial weeklies. The hierarchy of a national daily, from junior reporter to editor.
Making calls. Making and keeping in touch with contacts. Turning up the unexpected from routine conversations. Following up 'tip-offs' and digging around for background.
Live session. Testing the knowledge gained so far by venturing into the local community to find the day's stories.
News special. Investigative or news-in-depth reporting to bring results both for the community and for your career.
The running story.
Research. Sources, finding the right people, analysis of features for research content. Sources used and their relationships. Research as validation.
The journalist as manager.
Radio reporting. Verbal presentation of facts and ideas.
Radio practical.
TV reporting. The differences in approach between broadcast and print journalism.
TV practical (showreel if required).
The opening lines of a feature, narrative techniques for dramatic effect and impact. Analysing techniques across the markets.
The definition of features, where ideas come from, general, specialist and news.
Profiling publications, the language of 'selling', market research and knowing your readers.
Identifying an 'angle', developing facts into a personal view or argument. Analysis of publications, developing sources.
Reviews and columns. Form and content, the use of style and languages, facts and opinion, the importance of research. How columnists work, the relationship between columns and feature articles.
Reviewing. External visit.
Basics of interviewing, looking at different types of sources. Setting up interviews - structuring questions and the ethics involved. Getting and using quotations. Looking at human interest features and their markets. Typical story structure and how to keep the story moving.
Magazines and trade and technical journals.
Travel. Analysis of travel writing, various types of travel feature. The importance of research. Angles and intro writing.
Sports Reporting. How the sportsroom works - the staff hierarchy, sports correspondents and stringers. Understanding the requirements of a 'round-up'. Making up a sports page using appropriate pictures, text and advertisements. Presenting a sports report. Generating story ideas and leads from interviews with sports personalities.
Freelancing. The basics of self-employment, tax, finance, copyrights etc. How to approach editors, selling yourself, what work is available and how to find opportunities.
Niche markets.
PR and publicity handouts.
New Technology - bringing together new technology aspects of the media world.
Subediting
Subediting. The sub's role, skills required. Legal responsibilities. Page design and page planning. Headlines. Style and 'colour'. Space allocation, Grammar and Style guides.
Law and Local/Central Government
Media Law
Court reporting
Visits to both Magistrates and Crown Courts and reporting on proceedings.
Local Government - structure and organisation, the role played by local councils and reporters' responsibilities and rights within the community.
Central Government - organisation, structure and parliamentary reporting.
This syllabus may be changed without notice and is issued for guidance only