Diploma in Journalism & Content Creation

Overview

The Diploma in Journalism and Content Creation programme is designed for those wishing to pursue or develop a career in the new media, content creation or broadcast journalism. It is a qualification for pre-entry and trainee journalists, as well as a professional qualification for working content creators, communication managers and journalists. It may be used as a stepping stone for candidates wanting to go on to a career in journalism or by those wishing to improve their content creation and journalistic skills for a specific purpose.

Programme Aims and Objectives

Aims

The Diploma in Journalism and Content Creation aims to train learners to combine visual, textual and audio texts to create powerful and meaningful stories that can be used by organisations on different platforms including print, web and social.

Objectives

• Ensure application of a diverse set of skills to meet a variety of media-oriented objectives.
• Teach editing, sub-editing and writing, oral, and visual communication skills.
• Apply the rigours of journalistic investigation methods, ethics and production skills to creative content creation.
• Enable learners to develop the professional conduct expected within the journalism profession.
• Present solutions to ethical and legal issues in content creation.

Assessment

To meet the requirements of the Diploma in Journalism and Content Creation students will have to complete continuous assessment for each module. These will be a combination of written assignments, projects, essays, artefact creation, MCQs and presentations.

Course Content

• Content Writing & Reporting: This module introduces tomorrow’s journalists to the fundamentals of covering and writing news. Mastering these skills is no simple task. In an Internet age of instantaneous access, demand for high-quality accounts of fast-breaking news has never been greater. Nor has the temptation to cut corners and deliver something less. To resist this temptation, reporters must acquire skills to identify a story and its essential elements, gather information efficiently, place it in a meaningful context, and write concise and compelling accounts, sometimes at breathtaking speed. The readings, discussions, exercises and assignments of this course are designed to help students acquire such skills and understand how to exercise them wisely.
• Editing & Sub-Editing: This module trains students to perform a range of keyboarding and word processing tasks to include text formatting, editing and enhancement as part of the editorial processes used in the new media sectors and in print journalism. A critical awareness of how house style guides-need to be met through using the generic skills of proofreading, copy-editing and clear accurate writing for websites and print media is covered through practical, hands-on workshops. This module will also cover the legal issues in copy and edit copy to ensure that it is legally safe for publication..
• Digital Media Writing: This module aims to equip learners with the skills to work in an online media environment. Students will learn about the emergence of new media, as well as learning about the impact that new media has had on the media industry. Learners will be taught the skills relevant to write for new media and will gain practical experience in new media as well as searching for and verifying relevant new media/online content. Requiring no particular knowledge of web design or of software learners will use text, images and audio (as well as social media) to explore stories, articles and content written for different platforms for defined audiences. These skills are necessary for entry level journalism and media writing position especially in an online environment.
• Radio & Podcasting: This module aims to enable learners to understand the centrality of format and scripting in radio performance and podcasting. They will enhance their research expertise and ability to identify reliable sources for different genres, as well as move from conscious to critical listening. They will also develop the technical skills and sound competence to produce a radio show or podcast; create a template that integrates creativity, technical, editorial and written skills; and demonstrate an understanding of the technical expertise suitable for professional broadcast.
• Visual Journalism & Content Creation: Journalists utilise visual digital photography, infographics, moving images (videos) and graphics displaying data to enhance text in newspaper, online and digital writing. This module will train students in both assembling data and representing data with software such as Excel, Google Fusion tables, StoryMap, Datawrapper, Timeline JS Venngage and other tools to learn how to use data visualisation techniques for inclusion in articles for consumption by news audiences. Secondly, they will learn how to take digital photographs, manipulate and edit digital images using a DSLR camera. Finally, students will create videos using standard equipment as well as mobile devices such as iPhones.
• Journalism & Media Today – Online: Ireland’s Media aims to encourage and develop the comprehension of the media industries in Ireland. The module is an introduction to the political, economic and regulatory environments of the Irish press, broadcast and online journalism. Surveying the industry in a period of rapid economic and technological change, students will examine the main trends in journalistic media. It will also assess the challenges and future of the industry in the 21st Century.

Structure

The Diploma in Journalism and Content Creation is offered as a part-time programme over one academic year and divided into six modules. Students will learn to identify angles, develop ideas and see how the various writing and presenting disciplines unfold. A wide range of teaching techniques which can include lectures, videos, workshops, and lab work. When possible, guest speakers are invited to deliver presentations giving students insights into their work experiences and techniques within their specialist areas. Moodle will be used to facilitate student engagement with resources, as well as provide an interactive space for learners.

Career Opportunities

This diploma helps prepare learners for a wide range of careers as Journalist and for a variety of roles in the journalism industry. DBS students have gone on to a wide range of media related careers, from newspapers and magazines to local radio and television as well as PR.

Fees

The fee for this Diploma is €2,000. This is inclusive of tuition, registration, exam fees and DBS library membership. This fee must be paid in full before the course begins.

Visit Us

Open days are a great way to help you make your decision about your course of interest. The open day will give you the opportunity to receive one on one advice and direction from leading academics in your chosen subject area, meet current students and also have your questions answered on entry requirements, student support and the admissions process. Find out when our next Open Event is taking place. The Admissions Office is located in our Aungier Street campus and you are welcome to visit the college to speak with a member of our admissions team from Monday to Fridays, 8:45am – 5:15pm. Alternatively, you can contact us by email.