CAO Code GC 265 
Points level 2008 AQA All qualified applicants
Framework Level HETAC Level 7

Course Duration
Full-Time 3 years

About the Course
This three year full-time degree programme concentrates on expanding the student’s knowledge and skills in the thriving world of journalism. Media-based training, both practical and academic, is central to the programme as we prepare students for a career in media. Students will learn to work in real journalistic situations – in print and broadcasting – over the course of the six semesters. National Union of Journalists (NUJ)recognition of the programme entitles students to a student NUJ Card for each year of the programme.

Students learn a range of media production and academic skills, which allows for the integration of investigative and practical skills. Print and broadcast media production is catered for, alongside learning about the society that students write about or comment upon.

Progression
Further study is an option for students who successfully complete this course; the logical progression is to take the final year of the BA (Hons) in Journalism and Visual Media in Griffith College Dublin.

Careers
By exploring the diversity of the journalistic and communications environment, your career opportunities are far-reaching. The significant growth in the area of mediabased communications now presents improved employment prospects in what was previously considered a ‘closed shop’. As such, graduates can pursue a career in newspapers, periodicals, journals or magazines, or as part of a company as its Press/ Information Officer. The proliferation of local and national radio in Ireland, as well as the growth in television, means that there are also openings in this area, particularly within radio and television presenting, producing or researching.

Year 1
In first year students acquire theoretical understanding and introductory journalism production skills. Students learn about the history of media, about how society has adapted to increasingly sophisticated systems of media communication. Students gain an introductory understanding of the social structure, knowledge that forms the basis of work within media later in the programme. In addition students learn how to present a message and how to present themselves in public within systems of media communication. Students begin to develop their capacity to write professionally, acquiring knowledge of the structure of good writing practice. Students acquire introductory skills in radio, print and photography. Students embark on learning increasingly sophisticated print journalism skills, building each year on underpinning knowledge gained in previous stages of the programme. Broadcast Journalism students also work in the radio station.

* Students registering for the full-time BA in Journalism should note that they will complete Year One of the course in Griffith College Cork and may complete all subsequent years on campus at Griffith College Dublin – subject to demand.

Year 2
In second year all students gain essential background knowledge relating to the legal and ethical environment of media production, and on how social, economic and political issues affect Irish society. Students continue to develop writing skills, which are utilised in Print Journalism II. Here students begin to make specialist subject choices, which they will also make in Year 3 of the programme.

Year 3
In third year Media Research and Cultural Studies teaches students about the interaction of modern media systems with practitioners, audiences, owners and regulatory structures. In Media Studies students learn how different systems of media communication act on audiences in different ways. In Business Journalism, students learn about the role of the specialist reporter in this increasingly important area of journalism. Students continue to choose two elective subjects which allows a degree of specialisation.

BA in Journalism Course Content
Year 1
Social Studies
Print Journalism I (Project I)
History of the Media
Photography
Writing and Public Presentation Skills
English Literature I
Productivity Software
Introduction to Radio

Year 2
Contemporary Politics
Elective choice I
Elective choice II
Shorthand
Media Law and Ethics
Freelance and Feature Writing I
English Literature II
Print Journalism II (Project II)

Year 2 Elective Subjects
Layout and Design
Newspaper Production
Broadcast Journalism (Radio)
Sports Journalism

Year 3
Media Research and Cultural Studies
Elective Choice III
Media Studies
Reporting and Newsday (Project III)
Business Journalism
Freelance and Feature Writing II
Elective Choice IV
Marketing Media

Year 3 Elective Subjects
Investigative Journalism
Film Studies
Creative Writing
Online Journalism
* Elective choice may be affected by level of demand