TV & Radio Journalism

Overview
This new and exciting MA is designed to address the demand for specialisms in TV and Radio Journalism.

This programme is for learners who wish to graduate as industry-ready, journalism and communications professionals with advanced TV and radio production skills. With six dedicated TV and radio production modules delivered in our industry-standard radio and TV studios, learners get hands-on content production and editing experience.

Course Details
The MA in TV and Radio Journalism is designed to be delivered on a full-time basis over one calendar year and on a part-time basis over 2 years. It consists of nine taught modules delivered during the academic year and a dissertation which is completed during the summer months. Throughout the programme, learners will have an average of 18 hours of contact per week, attending lectures, news days, labs and studio sessions.

To assimilate the material and to complete the assessments, learners are also required to spend a significant amount of time outside of those contact hours engaging in self-guided study, development and practice. Learners in the MA programme will complete 9 mandatory modules and a dissertation. The Postgraduate Diploma in TV and Radio Journalism consists of 9 mandatory modules and does not include a dissertation.

The first semester of this programme is designed to be commonly taught with MA Journalism learners and provides an understanding of the workings of the media industry as well as developing specific skills in journalism. The second semester builds on this knowledge and contains broadcast journalism specialisms such as Video Journalism, Radio Documentary Research and Production and Radio, TV News and Current Affairs.

The reporting, writing and packaging of news for online audiences requires an evaluation and understanding of the digital media world and the module Digital Journalism will equip learners with the skills required to produce news and features in a web context.

Why Study TV and Radio Journalism at Griffith College?
The MA in TV and Radio Journalism is recognised by the NUJ and conducted on both a full and part-time basis over a 1-2 year period. Learners will acquire both a theory-based understanding of the media industries as well as journalism-specific production skills. The programme team, made up of industry professionals and full-time academics, aims to instil in learners the skills required to apply critical reflection and intellectual depth to their production of media content.
• You will display reflective critical learning and develop strong practical skills in media production with the use of TV studio, film and television production equipment.
• Avail of our state-of-the-art facilities including an on-campus radio station, 2 broadcasting studios, 4 photographic studios, 3 darkrooms, a TV and Video Studio and a Sound Engineering Studio.
• National Union of Journalists' recognition of this programme entitles students to apply for an NUJ Press Card for the duration of their course.
• You are assured of excellent teaching practices, with many of our graduates currently working in a range of leading media outlets including the Irish and Sunday Independent, RTE Radio and Television, Newstalk, TV3 and Google.
• You have an opportunity to join the ranks of multiple award-winners with Griffith College students consistently excelling at the Smedia Awards.

Course Highlights
• State-of-the-art studios and facilities
• NUJ Press Pass for the duration of your study
• Build your own professional portfolio
• Study full-time, part-time or through blended learning
• Conceive, produce, edit and publish your own content
• Connect with industry leaders.

Mandatory Modules
Communications and Audience Theories
This module enables learners to understand how audiences relate to media content and develop an ability to critically discuss the major paradigms and theories that have shaped the field of communications, including their historical development and current trends. It offers learners an academic introduction to examples of research and theories potentially relevant to their dissertation. Learners also develop the ability to evaluate the spectrum of research and theorization on how media audiences are measured and how audiences behave.

Media Law and Ethics
This module aims to equip learners with an understanding of the fundamental principles of media law in order for them to be able to work confidently and competently within the legal boundaries as a media professional. The module develops in learners a practical working knowledge of legal principles so they can work competently as media professionals and avoid the pitfalls of contriving financial vulnerabilities, contempt of court, or professional disciplinary action.

MoJo: Mobile Video Journalism
This module aims to develop learners’ overall creative and technical production abilities by equipping them with the practical skills to approach the production of factual visual programming on mobile devices for multiplatform distribution. Learners critically evaluate professional video standards and conceive, shoot, edit and upload online their own short video programming using mobile phones. They also learn to transfer footage from mobile to desktop computer to develop more advanced editing skills. The module develops learners’ concept development skills and digital video production skills for mobile journalism.

Radio Documentary Research and Production
This module aims to enable learners to conceive, research, produce and present a radio documentary to industry standards. Learners develop the ability to critically analyse documentary genres and types, particularly in terms of narrative, storytelling, sound effects and structure, and to reflect on these critical evaluations in order to create one’s own work. The module advances learners’ knowledge of the collaborative nature of programme-making and how to review and revise the structure of a documentary based on constructive feedback.

Radio News and Current Affairs
This module aims to equip learners to work as radio journalists in news and current affairs. Working in a simulated newsroom environment in the on-campus radio studio, learners acquire the skills to create short news bulletins and longer news and current affairs programmes covering stories of national and international importance including the courts, the Dáil and stories of the day to on-air broadcast standard.?

Radio Production
This module aims to enable learners to make great radio in a professional environment. Through edited and recorded as-live individual and group assignments, the module equips learners with the skills, techniques, research ability and editorial standards which are necessary to work in news, current affairs, sports or light entertainment radio.

Research Methods
This module aims to deepen learners’ research skills, in relation to their module related assignments and later in the completion of their major dissertation or dissertation by practice. It extends their abilities as self-directed learners by equipping them with the appropriate vocabulary for reflecting on, critiquing and evaluating their own work and that of others. Throughout the module, learners are required to engage in a number of research methodologies and current research issues and trends. The module also advances project management skills and techniques so that learners can successfully deliver a research project including scoping media research projects and complete a literature review.

Sociology of the Media
This module aims to impart knowledge and practical awareness of how and why media institutions, practices and culture developed in the way that they have in western society. It develops learners’ ability to focus on the media industries in a critical and evaluative manner in a broad social and historical context. Learners are required to critique media institutions and their interrelationship with society, politics and the economy and to apply theories of mass media. While enhancing research skills, the module also challenges learners’ understanding of the current media environment and requires critical evaluation of power relations as between owners, producers and receivers of information through forms of mass media.

TV Studio News and Current Affairs
This module aims to equip learners with the necessary skills to perform the roles and responsibilities of people working in a television studio and to effectively use industry-standard equipment and techniques employed in a television studio. It enables learners to develop the skills required to work collaboratively and effectively in a pressured newsroom environment where they learn to produce a TV studio news and current affairs programme which includes a piece to camera, an interview, a one VT insert, an opening title and end credits.

Video Journalism and Documentary
This module aims to equip learners with the practical skills required to produce factual programming for multiplatform distribution. Learners develop the ability to conceive, develop, research, plan, produce, shoot and edit a short video documentary. Learners also produce a series of vlogs and develop a critical awareness and analytical judgment of all aspects of video production.?

Writing and Editing: News, Features, Content
This module aims to enable learners to attain the practical skills required to identify, plan, research, write and edit publishable news reports, feature articles and commercial content for identified audiences. Through practice, learners develop the ability to use social media platforms to promote their writing and to develop their online profile on their own WordPress website. The module also cultivates critical thinking among learners in relation to the role and future of journalism in democratic societies.?

Dissertation
This module enables learners to identify and fully exploit available and emerging research resources in the conduct of their dissertation investigation to support and direct their research methodology or techniques. The module aims for learners to be able to rigorously apply appropriate research, design and implementation methodologies to the development of media content, practices, processes and/or techniques. The module also affords learners the opportunity to complete significant research into specialist topics and present findings, insights and hypotheses reflecting mastery of the concepts and techniques involved.

Electives
Virtual Studio Mastering and Delivery
This module aims to make learners familiar with the technical specifications of finishing and broadcasting video projects that they have created. The module familiarises learners with the industry standards set in broadcast production and visual effects while enabling them to experiment and develop their own creative projects using CGI, chroma-keying and motion-based graphics. Learners develop the ability to shoot while emphasising key techniques and considerations for acquiring content within which to incorporate virtual sets and visual effects.

Online Media: Creation, Curation
This module enables learners to be able to play a lead role in production teams which repurpose existing content for new and different online audiences and to learn the key technical skills which allow them to plan, construct and develop their own and others’ online media artefacts. Learners develop the ability to use the current tools necessary for online journalism and the ability to apply these tools when creating journalistic content online. The module also develops learners’ ability to identify and evaluate trends and opportunities in online media and also cultivates a critical comprehension in the design and construction of integrated web-based media content.

A primary degree (2.2) and interview

English Language
Griffith College is accepting the online Duolingo English Test (DET) as valid proof of English proficiency.

How to Apply
Applicants can Apply Online Directly.

1 Year Full-Time / 2 Years Part-Time.

Courses beginning in September run for 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time.

Courses beginning in February run for 1.5 years full-time and 2.5 years part-time.

Full-Time / Part-Time & Blended Delivery
The programme runs full-time over one year with two semesters and an August dissertation submission. It is also run part-time over four semesters in two years with five of the modules delivered through ‘blended learning’ where learners view lectures and related reading online at their convenience. Candidates are encouraged to contact the faculty to discuss our flexible, student-oriented timetabling. September and February commencements are facilitated.

Intake Dates:
We run two intakes for this course, commencing as follows:
Autumn: September*
Spring: February*

*subject to sufficient numbers.

Academic Progression
On completion of the Level 9 MA in TV and Radio Journalism, students may progress onto a range of Level 10 Doctoral programmes on the National Qualifications Framework. The Postgraduate QQI validation means that your qualification is recognised not only in Ireland and Europe but throughout the world.

Career Progression
Through the MA in TV and Radio Journalism, you will have gained valuable professional experience, built a strong portfolio and covered a diverse range of media. Graduates of this course are employed in a wide variety of fields across the communications industries in media and communications companies, non-governmental organisations, video production firms and media outlets as journalists, editors, media content creators, researchers, video producers and radio production managers.

There is a wide range of career options for our graduates including:
• Video Producer
• Radio Journalist/Researcher
• Editorial Assistant
• Content and Community Manager
• Social Media Coordinator