Journalism, Film and Television Studies BA (Hons)

Program Overview

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This Journalism, Film and Television Studies BA (Hons) program combines theoretical and practical elements of film, television, and journalism. Students engage with various approaches and methodologies, participate in practice-based projects, and gain journalistic skills training using contemporary facilities. Graduates are prepared for careers as journalists, professionals in factual television or film entertainment, and writers in non-journalistic fields.

Program Outline

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Journalism, Film and Television Studies BA (Hons)

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Degree Overview:

This program offers a comprehensive exploration of film, television, and journalistic studies.

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The program combines

• Theoretical and practical elements of film and television studies.
• Journalistic skills training using the university's contemporary facilities.

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Through the study of film and television

• Students will engage with a variety of approaches and methodologies.
• Participate in practice-based projects in short filmmaking, documentary making, and screenwriting.
• Use the journalism newsroom to produce journalistic investigations and reports, potentially published on the Holloway Express.

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The program also addresses

• Significant challenges facing film, newspaper, and television businesses.
• The impact of online video on media consumption and the resulting shift in the relationship between consumers and producers of news.

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Graduates of this program are prepared for careers as

• Journalists with specialist knowledge of the moving image.
• Professionals in factual television or film entertainment.
• Writers in non-journalistic fields.

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Outline:

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Year 1

• Approaches to Film and Television (Introduction to film theory and analysis)
• Journalism: History and Ideas (Exploring the role of journalism in society and its theories)
• Moving Image and Sound Practice (Fundamentals of filmmaking, including image, sound, and related theoretical frameworks)
• Practical Journalism (Professional news writing, newsgathering, reporting, and ethical considerations)

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Year 2

• Film and Television Practice (Exploring film and television production across different roles and industries)
• Advanced Reporting (Further development of reporting skills, including investigative journalism, features, interviews, profiles)
• Journalism Work Placement (Gaining practical experience in the journalistic working environment)
• Newsroom Production (Working with multi-platform journalism and professional newsroom practices)
• Work Based Learning for Media (Developing employability skills through work-based projects and opportunities)
• British and European Cinema (Examining European cinema in relation to specific cultural, historical, and social contexts)
• Contemporary Television Studies (Overview of institutions, economics, technologies, texts, audiences, and production practices in television)
• Documentary Photography (Understanding the history, theory, and practices of documentary photography and developing photographic skills)
• Film and TV Industry Roles (Analysis of film and television industries, production models, marketing, PR, career opportunities)
• Scripting Performance for Screen (Learning the skills and techniques of screenwriting for short film)
• Stardom and Performance (Exploring the roles and significance of stars in film, including their construction, performance styles, and cultural impact)

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Year 3

• Broadcast Journalism (Working in teams to research, write, and present multi-platform journalism for video and audio formats, including newsweeks and newsdays, following industry practices and ethical considerations)
• Journalism Project (Independent in-depth research project on a chosen topic, with guidance and feedback from supervisors)
• Project (Film and Television Studies) (Independent in-depth project exploring a topic related to film and television studies, with supervisor support and guidance)
• Arts Journalism (Investigating the professional practices and techniques of arts journalism across various art forms, including field trips, guest speakers, and portfolio building)
• Campaigning Journalism (Examining the skills of campaigning journalism in relation to politics, public affairs, and society, including ethical considerations and portfolio development)
• Documentary Filmmaking (Developing professional practices in documentary filmmaking through group projects, following industry guidelines and with input from professionals)
• Film Reception and Interpretation (Exploring film reception and interpretation from historical and theoretical perspectives, using case studies)
• Film and TV Industry Careers (Career planning, portfolio development, exploring career opportunities and the media landscape, engaging with local film organizations)
• Screening America in Hollywood Film (Examining the ways Hollywood film represents American history and culture, including mythology, historical events, social context, and the genre of the Hollywood historical film)
• The French New Wave (Exploring the development and stylistic features of the French New Wave film movement, considering its historical and cultural context, textual properties, and representation of youth, modernity, Paris, history, and gender relations)

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Assessment:

The program uses a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Written coursework
• Practical group work
• In-class exams
• A final dissertation or project (either in film and television studies or journalism)

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Teaching:

The program is delivered by a team of experienced academics and industry professionals. Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, workshops, screenings, field trips, and individual consultations.

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Careers:

This degree prepares graduates for careers in a range of fields, such as:

• Journalism (including print, television, and online)
• Film and television production (including directing, producing, and writing)
• Media and communications (including public relations, marketing, and advertising)
• Academia (including research and teaching)
The program also provides graduates with the skills and knowledge they need to pursue further study at the postgraduate level.

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Other:

• Students are encouraged to submit their work to the Holloway Express, the university's student-run newspaper.
• The program has strong industry links, and students have the opportunity to gain work experience through placements and internships.
• Students have access to the university's state-of-the-art facilities, including a digital editing suite, film and television studios, and a newsroom.
• Graduates of the program have gone on to work for a range of organizations, including the BBC, Sky News, The Guardian, The Times, and The Daily Telegraph.