Brunel’s Journalism MA offers a unique combination of cutting-edge skills and contextual learning. Devised in consultation with senior journalists, the syllabus provides a rigorous foundation to a journalism career. Students are trained in print/online journalism, with the option to specialise in broadcast journalism in the second term.Entry RequirementsA good honours degree or equivalent in any subject from a recognised university. Candidates without a first degree but with relevant practical experience will also be considered. An IELTS score of at least 7.5 is mandatory for all students whose first language is not English. Course AimsTo offer students a systematic understanding of journalism careers and a critical understanding of the current problems in the field. To give students a comprehensive understanding of theoretical approaches to and techniques of journalism, and to encourage the use these critically, both in study and in practice. To enable students to develop journalism skills in a media field of their choosing. To provide students with a critical understanding of the journalistic field which will enable them to use most effectively the skills they acquire on the programme.Course ContentOur Journalism MA comprises a core of study in journalism, with an offer of specialist study in print or broadcast in the second term, which will facilitate your entry into different areas of the industry. This is particularly relevant in the context of a converging media industry which requires multi-skilling and the ability to adapt to new media environments. The programme is distinctive in allowing you to develop your own cutting-edge journalistic practice, whether it's exploring 3G news, podcasts or on-screen page make-up. At the same time you learn about the impact of technological change, cultural developments and political issues in different forms of journalism. Particular attention will be paid to factors such as media ownership, the regulation of the media, journalism ethics, and the role of journalism in the political process, Students will greatly benefit from the Department of Journalism's excellent links with the media industries, and will be offered the opportunity for work placement. Furthermore, this will be the first London Masters in Journalism to offer NCTJ accreditation as a hallmark of its relevance to and status within the industry. The Journalism MA syllabus consists of five modules - two that provide cutting-edge journalism skills, and two that offer in-depth analysis of the recent history and political economy of the industry. The fifth module – a Major Project - requires a synthesis of practice and theory. Through undertaking these modules, you will be enabled to identify and apply the most useful practical, theoretical and contextual approaches to help you to produce “good” journalism. In this way, you can enter journalism confident of your abilities, with highly-developed research skills, ethical judgement, the necessary contextual knowledge and an ability to navigate successfully an increasingly market-led industry.Modules (all core)Journalistic Practice IMain topics of study: classifications of news news values sources and the implied reader news writing, and news language techniques of news interviewing reporting court, local and national government, crime and emergency services introduction to layout and on-screen page make-up image, text and design relationships in a print/online media contextJournalistic Practice IIMain topics of study: features research and creative thinking online search, newsgathering, and social media interviewing and investigation for converging media audience and targeting in the digital journalism context digital manipulation and meaning production advanced presentation skills and critical strategies in news and feature productionJournalism in ContextMain topics of study: the structures of the institutions within which journalism is practised public administration the legal framework within which journalism operates the professional codes governing journalistic practice the ownership and control of the institutions within which journalism is practised professional ideologies of journalism the political framework within which journalism operates journalism in a consumer societyIssues in JournalismMain topics of study: current debates about journalism and the political process the public sphere journalism as a "Fourth Estate" the impact of new technology on journalism celebrity culture journalistic ethics journalism and its others freedom of information journalism post 9/11DissertationCareersPrint, broadcast or online journalism.Special FeaturesA broad-based journalism core; Specialist study for informed career choice; Distinguished guest speakers; Journalism practice contextualised within a framework of technological, political and cultural change.