2010-11 academic year

Fundamentals of Journalism (21303)

Degree/study: Journalism
Year: 1st
Term:1st
Number of ECTS credits: 6 credits
Hours of studi dedication: 150 hours
Teaching language or languages: catalan
Teaching Staff: Carles Singla

1. Presentation of the subject

The main objective of Fundamentals of Journalism is for the students to acquire the basic competences and knowledge to work as a journalist. In particular, we want them to understand how the journalistic system works in our society and we also want them to be familiar with the stylistic, operative and epistemic processes that define Journalism.

It is taught during the first term of the first year, so its importance is basic in order to introduce the subjects that will be developed in the four years of the degree in Journalism.

Additionally, in this subject there are included two ECTS credits belonging to the subject called "Introduction to University". This subject is meant to help the new students understand the structures, rules and methodology of the University, as well as to help them take full advantage of the University's facilities.

The very first part, "Introduction to journalistic writing", is part of the subjects that teach informative, interpretative and opinion journalism, and it is also useful in many other subjects of the degree because it teaches how to write properly. This part is taught at the beginning in order to teach it simultaneously with the subject "Language and Informative Genres".

The second part, "Theoretical Principles of Journalism", is applied generally in practical subjects and workshops, and introduces essential aspects of the journalistic task such as the selection or the prioritisation of information.

The third part, "Theoretical and Practical Principles at Work", briefly introduces some important elements in the journalistic task, which will be developed afterwards in other subjects: journalism's techniques, the information sources, journalism's ethics or the organisation of journalism companies and editorial departments.

Finally, the fourth part of the subject is that of "Introduction to University". Although is appears last, it will be taught weekly from the very beginning of the term

2. Competences to be attained

General competences

Specific competences

Instrumental

1. Understand, analyse and interpret adequately and logically written texts of an academic level about any relevant subject.

2. Be able to justify with solid arguments one's opinions and defend them in public

3. Ability to work with the computer tools and knowledge of their essential applications to regular academic activities.

Interpersonal

4. Ability to work in groups, participating actively in the assigned tasks, making decisions and discussing your opinions with others until you come to an agreement.

5. Ability to think autonomously and critically when talking about controversial subjects

6. Be self-disciplent, self-demanding and rigorous when doing academic tasks, and organise your time correctly

Systemic

7. Develop the sense of curiosity, wanting to know what we don't know, which is an essential competence in all teaching processes and in all professional activities

8. Ability to progress in the learning process autonomously and continuously

Specific of the degree

1. Knowledge of the informative and communicative processes, as well as of the theories that support or criticise them

2. Knowledge and application of the technologies and systems used to process, produce and transmit information

3. Knowledge of the historical evolution of the journalistic modalities and traditions in all the media

4. Knowledge of the the communication media's structure and of their main formats

5. Knowledge of the journalistic ethics

6. Knowledge of the main debates and events in the media

7. Be able to communicate properly, both speaking an writing, in the two official languages in Catalonia

8. Ability to read and analyse specialised documents and texts of any relevant subject

Specific of the subject

9. Understand how the journalistic system works

10. Knowledge and application of the systems of information selection and organisation

11. Ability to distinguish the features of the differents journalistic genres

12. Knowledge of how the communication media's world works

3. Contents

Part 1

Introduction to journalistic writing

- Definition of Journalism
- The style of the informative journalistic discourse in press, radio and TV
- The informative journalistic genres: news
- The interpretative journalistic genres. Classification and features
- The argumentative journalistic genres. Classification and features

Part 2

Theoretical Principles of Journalism

- Principles of journalistic ephemerology
- Structure and elements of the events interesting for journalism
- Criteria and rules of selection, assessment and organisation of news
- Semantisation of journalistic texts
- Alteration in the message: the rumor theory

Part 3

Theoretical and Practical Principles at Work

- Profile and features of the journalist
- Journalism's techniques
- The information sources' system
- Journalistic companies
- The organisation and running of editorial departments
- Journalism's ethics
- New channels, tools and tendencies: the future of Journalism

Part 4

Introduction to University

- General features of the University. Structures, rules and methodology
- Electronic resources
- Information resources
- How to elaborate an academic task

4. Assessment

This subject's assessment is based on three elements:

- Short individual tasks, in class or at home (15%).

- Tasks in groups, at home and discussed or presented in the seminar sessions (45%).

- Final exam (40%).

The individual tasks will be all different, will be explained by the teacher and their objective is to revise through easy exercises the contents explained in the theoretical sessions.

The tasks in groups are related to the main parts of the subjects and allow the students to have a closer look on three of the main parts of the subject: the classification of the journalism genres, the selection and prioritisation of news and the use of informative resources, as well as applying the journalistic ethics.

5. Bibliography and teaching resources

5.1. Basic bibliography

ARMENTIA VIZUETE, J.I. I CAMINOS MARCET, J.M. Fundamentos de periodismo impreso. Barcelona: Ariel, 2003.

CANTAVELLA, J. I SERRANO, J.F. (coords.) Redacción para periodistas: informar e interpretar. Ariel: Barcelona, 2004.

CASASÚS GURI, J.M. Iniciación a la Periodística. Barcelona: Teide, 1988.

GOMIS, LL. Teoria dels gèneres periodístics. Barcelona: Generalitat de Catalunya, 1989.

MENCHER, M. News Reporting and Writing. New York: McGraw-Hill, 11th edition, 2008

5.2. Complementary bibliography

BRIGHTON, P.; FOY, D. News Values. Londres: Sage, 2008.

FLEMING, C; HEMINGWAY, E.; MOORE, G.; WELFORD, D. An introduction to Journalism. Londres: Sage, 2006.

GOMIS, L. Teoría del Periodismo. Barcelona: Paidós, 1991.

GRIJELMO, A. El estilo del periodista. Madrid: Taurus, 1997.

KOVACH, B., ROSENSTIEL, T. Los elementos del periodismo. Madrid: Ediciones El País, 2003.

LÓPEZ LÓPEZ, M. Como se fabrican las noticias. Fuentes, selección y planificación. Barcelona: Paidós, 1995.

MARTÍNEZ ALBERTOS, J.L. Curso General de Redacción Periodística. Madrid: Paraninfo, 1991.

MARTÍN VIVALDI, G. Géneros periodísticos. Madrid: Paraninfo, 1987.

RANDALL, D. El periodista universal. Madrid: Siglo Veintiuno, 1999. "

RUDIN, R.; IBBOTSON, T.; An Introduction to Journalism. Oxford: Focal Press, 2002.

RODRIGO, M. La construcción de la noticia. Barcelona: Paidós, 1989.

SANTAMARÍA, L., CASALS CARRO, M.J. La opinión periodística. Argumentos y géneros para la persuasión. Madrid: Fragua, 2000.

SMITH, J. Essential Reporting. The NCTJ Guide for trainee journalists. Londres: Sage, 2007.

Extra bibliography

BASTENIER, M.A. El blanco móvil. Curso de periodismo. Madrid: Ediciones El País, 2001.

BENAVIDES LEDESMA, J.L., QUINTERO HERRERA, C. Escribir en prensa. Madrid: Pearson Educación, 2004.

BEZUNARTEA, O. 21 Lecciones de reporterismo. Bilbao: Universidad del País Vasco, 1998.

CASASÚS, J.M., NÚÑEZ LADEVÉZE, L. Estilo y géneros periodísticos. Barcelona: Ariel, 1991.

ECHEVARRÍA, B. Las W's del reportaje. Valencia: Fundación Universitaria San Pablo C.E.U., 1998.

FROISSART, P. La rumeur. Histoire et fantasmes. París: Editions Belin, 2002.

KAPFERER, J-N. Rumores. El medio de difusión más antiguo del mundo. Esplugues de Llobregat: Plaza & Janés, 1989.

SAN AGUSTÍN, A. M'agrada que em faci aquesta pregunta. L'entrevista en premsa. Barcelona: Pòrtic, 1999.

VILLAFAÑE, J., BUSTAMANTE, E., PRADO, E. Fabricar noticias. Las rutinas productivas en radio y televisión. Barcelona: Mitre, 1987.

5.3. Teaching resources

BOWMAN, S.; WILLIS, C. Nosotros, el medio. Cómo las audiencias están modelando el futuro de las noticias y la información. The Media Center at the American Press Institute (2003).
Cas Skins": dossier of texts.
"Código deontológico del Col·legi de Periodistes de Catalunya".
Dossier of texts about the criteria of choosing an informative event.
"Informe anual de la profesión periodística 2005. Asociación de la Prensa de Madrid (pdf)."
Work guides for the seminars.
Teacher's slides to support the theoretical sessions. A selection of the main contents of the subject, which will be always available for the students in Moodle.

6. Metodology

This subject will follow basically a deductive methodology, in three phases:
- Presentation of the theory and concepts of every part.
- Study more and look for information about the theory explained.
- Put into practise via tasks, exercises and debates.

- Sessions and work will be organised in three different groups:

Work teams

Preferably 4-people groups, created by the teacher at the beginning of the term, which will last until the end of the subject. Each team will have to present their tasks in the seminars and prepare their participation. Being part of a group does not mean that all the work must be done with the group; we expect the students to do an important part of the tasks individually (reading and reflecting, looking for info, etc.).

Small group

In each seminar session there will be 4 or 5 work teams. Therefore, the dyamic of the class (with no more than 20 people) will be more useful.

Big group

All the students gathered in class.

- Here are the ways in which the subject will be taught:

Theoretical sessions (Big group)

The teacher introduces the main contents of every part, and sometimes he explains them partially. In addition, he says what work has to be done and solves any general doubts.

Exercises in class (Big group)

Short tasks, usually done in class, that help show a practical example of the theory.

Seminars (Small group)

Their goal is to work more on the practical application of the theory explained in class by doing and presenting exercises in groups.

Meetings (Individual or work teams)

They are optional, for all students or work teams who want to attend them. In the meetings the teacher will solve problems, explain those concepts the students have not understood, give advice and even assess the students's progress. It is necessary to arrange an appointment previously.

Exam

50 multiple-choice question test (5 options). There will be also two or more texts.
20 questions about theory.
30 questions about the practical application of the theory.

From time to time the teacher might test the students via a practical exam based on the preparation, (in half a day) of several journalistic informations with primary sources, and the resolution of exercises based on the practical application of the theory explained in class.

7. Planning of activities

Week	Activities in class	Activities at home
Week 1	SESSION 1: Introdution of the subject. Practical exercise. Presentation of "Introduction to University".
Week 2	SESSION 1: Definition of Journalism. SESSION 2: The style of the journalistic discourse. Electronic resources.
Week 3	SESSION 1: The journalistic genres. SESSION 2: The informative genres: news. Practical exercise. Information resources.	Look for bibliography for task 1 (Journalistic genres).
Week 4	SESSION 1: Ephemerology. The events interesting for journalism.	Look for examples for task 1.
Week 5	SESSION 1: Journalistic semantisation. The rumor theory. Practical exercise. SESSION 2: Seminar 1 (Groups A & B).	Do task 1.
Week 6	SESSION 1: Seminar 1 (Groups C & D). SESSION 2: Features of the journalist. Structure and rules of University.	Do and finish task 1.
Week 7	SESSION 1: Journalism's techniques. SESSION 2: Information sources (1). Methodology in the EESS.	Look for information and prepare task 2 (Selection and prioritisation of news).
Week 8	SESSION 1: Information sources (2): the press office. SESSION 2: Seminar 2 (Groups A & B). How to elaborate an academic task.	Do task 2.
Week 9	SESSION 1: Seminar 2 (Groups C & D) SESSION 2: Journalism's ethics.	Do and finish task 2.
Week 10	SESSION 1: Companies and organisation of editorial departments. SESSION 2: Seminar 3 (Groups A & B).	Read the materials related to task 3 (Informative resources and journalistic ethics).
Week 11	SESSION 1: Seminar 3 (Groups C & D) SESSION 2: The future of Journalism.	Do and finish task 3.