Journalism and citizenship: a practical introduction

3 ECTS credits
90 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1021050BNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.

Semester

2nd semester

Enrollment based on exam contract

Impossible

Grading method

Grading (scale from 0 to 20)

Can retake in second session

Yes

Taught in

Dutch

Faculty

Faculty of Languages & Humanities

Department

Linguistics and Literary Studies

Educational team

Joris Boonen (course titular)
Martina Temmerman

Activities and contact hours

13 contact hours Lecture
13 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
13 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study

Course Content

This course explores the position of journalism in society, providing a practical introduction to a number of journalistic genres, both for audiovisual and text media.

Part 1 - A critical view of journalistic reporting, domestically and internationally

In Part 1, we address the topic of journalism and citizenship on a macro level. Based on recent scientific literature, many real-life examples and a self-selected case by the students, we study the societal context and challenges that students are faced with in Belgium and the rest of the world.

During the first 6 weeks of this course, students will work on a case of their own choice (e.g. a foreign conflict), in which they will critically analyze the reporting at home and/or abroad on that theme. As a final result, they will create a short audio (e.g., podcast) or video report to present the findings from their small-scale research project. Students choose whether to complete this assignment individually or in pairs.

Part 2 - Journalism and citizenship at the local level: text media

In Part 2, we study the relevance of local journalism for active citizenship. Students are introduced to (Brussels-based) civil society organizations (e.g. LEVL, Ligo Brusselleer) and their media production. In collaboration and interaction with the partners, they produce journalistic work that may be published.

Course material

Digital course material (Required) : Documenten op de elektronische leeromgeving, Canvas

Additional info

Support by arrangement.

Within the course, attention will be paid to (generative) AI tools if they are relevant. Students using AI tools for course assignments must specify which tools they use and describe the purposes for which they were used. The students also explain why the results of the AI tools are or are not included in the assignments.

Learning Outcomes

Eindcompetenties

Part 1

- The students understand various challenges facing contemporary journalism (digitization, speed, artificial intelligence, the role of advertisers).

- The students understand how (foreign) news is created, which gatekeepers can play a role in this and how a media agenda is formed.

- The students understand the importance of framing in foreign news coverage.

- The students understand the importance of press freedom in a democracy and how it can be put under pressure from internal and external factors.

- The students will create their own critical analysis of (foreign) journalism on a topic of their own choosing, using a variety of journalistic sources.

- The students create a podcast, video or other audiovisual journalistic product in edited Dutch, in which they discuss the main findings from their own research.

Part 2

- The students can describe the functioning and media production of a number of Brussels organizations.

- The students can independently conduct short interviews and successfully complete all steps of the interview process at beginner level (prepare questions, approach people, tailor questions to the interviewee, write out interview and illustrate with photo).

- The students can estimate which journalistic topics are of interest for the Brussels target group or community, collect data on them autonomously and work out a reportage or background story about them at a basic level.

- The students can cooperate efficiently with fellow students (in pairs) to achieve a high-quality journalistic product.

- The students can deliver journalistic products in appropriate Dutch, also taking into account the quality parameters of the Brussels organizations involved.

- The students can formulate a balanced and substantiated point of view on the importance of (hyper)local journalism for a community.

- The students can articulate the evolution of their own vision on the interaction between journalism and community.

Eindcompetenties

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Other Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Permanent assessment with a relative weight of 50 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Note: Writing assignements

Additional info regarding evaluation

Permanent evaluation: 50% audiovisual journalism 50% text media

Evaluation second exam period: written tasks

Students can only succeed for this course if they have accomplished both subparts. A pass mark for a subpart can be transferred to the next examination period/academic year.

In order to take this course, students have to be aware the following costs might occur, supplementary to the invoice they have received from the Student Administration Centre: for visit to an exhibition / excursion: a minimum amount of 8 euros and a maximum of 15 euros should be expected. The cost is to be paid by the student and can by no means be recouped from fellow students, the titular nor the faculty. The cost is an approximation, made as accurately as possible. If students would experience difficulties in the payment of this cost, they can consult the Sociale Dienst Studenten via sociale.dienst.studenten@vub.ac.be of +32 2 629 23 15. More information on https://my.vub.ac.be/studiefinanciering.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark

The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context