Qualification Overview

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to produce journalists who will have an understanding of the Journalism profession and the ethical principles that inform it. The qualifying learners of this qualification will be able to demonstrate competencies of general knowledge and intellectual ability as well as professional techniques of research, writing (and other forms of presentation), editing, design and production. The qualifying learners will acquire the ability to use the tools of journalism and to adapt to new technologies and innovative practices. Arising from this, the curriculum has been designed so that learners achieve the following Exit Level Outcomes:

1. Access, evaluate, use and source information and language resources effectively and responsibly to create publishable stories and academic writing.
2. Produce and edit print and broadcast media products by applying knowledge to news and feature genres, visual values and ethics.
3. Be able to compile, edit and upload multimedia news and feature packages of a professional, publishable standard.

Furthermore, the curriculum has been designed to prepare learners for the industry by giving them knowledge of journalism's role in society, including journalism's history, the organization of the news media, and laws circumscribing journalism practice; and knowledge of best practices in journalism. The curriculum merges theory and practice in this way, the qualification will prepare learners for further study at postgraduate levels.

Rationale

Journalism is being practiced in an era of profound newsroom transformation resultant of an increasingly technology-driven and audience-centric media landscape. Against this backdrop and in response to it, the institution has been reflecting critically upon its qualifications. A key ensuing consideration is that the institution's qualifications undergo a similar transformation as that reshaping the journalism industry. The institution has to remain relevant, at this time of speedy and seismic digital evolution, as well as economic, political and social changes and challenges within South Africa and globally.

The qualification teaches new ways of thinking and therefore the journalism, qualification will enable learners to acquire digital training and sets of skills that newsrooms need to fully transform into complex digital organizations, yet retaining foundational teaching of core journalism values. The qualification draws momentum from several strands such as the guidelines offered by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)'s Model Curricula for Journalism Education (2007 and 2013) and its Global Initiative for Excellence in Journalism Education project (2014 - 2021).

The aim of the Global Initiative for Excellence in Journalism Education is to produce questioning, independent and informed learners who, through their journalistic outputs, can disseminate quality knowledge for peace, development and democracy. The Bachelor of Journalism is aligned with this aim, which will enable qualifying learners to undertake with competence and confidence journalistic roles in a range of media forms and outlets. UNESCO's Model Curricula for Journalism Education was the outcome of extensive research on existing journalism offerings, including those at South African universities. UNESCO's has called for journalism schools to renegotiate the future trajectory of journalism education in an increasingly complex social, political and economic global context. UNESCO encourages the development of curricula in journalism education that include modules in the foundations of journalism, which are designed to promote prerequisite intellectual and craft skills and the qualification is informed by this. These foundations include:

• An ability to think critically, incorporating skill in comprehension, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of unfamiliar material, and an understanding of evidence and research methods.
• An ability to write clearly and coherently using narrative, descriptive, and analytical methods.
• Knowledge of national and international political, economic, cultural, religious, and social institutions.
• Knowledge of current affairs and issues, and a general knowledge of history and geography.