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Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title News Design
Module Code CM263
School School of Communications
Online Module Resources

Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: John O'Sullivan
Semester 2: John O'Sullivan
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description
The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the theory and use of design and layout in the news industry. This knowledge, skills and competence module examines news form in its many manifestations, especially in relation to print media. It examines the effectiveness of theory in the light of consumer preferences for particular design packages. Students will participate in the following learning activities:Lectures in which learners will be introducted to a range of news design concepts and associated strategies to attract and hold particular groups of news consumers;Workshops in which learners will carry out various news design tasks to deadline in a simulated design desk/subs desk environment.

Learning Outcomes
1. Define the role of design, form and layout in journalism.
2. Classify common layout categories.
3. Appraise the adequacy of news design theory in the light of media praxis.
4. Evaluate the quality and effectiveness of design in a range of specified publications.
5. Critique universal myths of news design.
6. Construct clean bright and visually stimulating pages for a range of media.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture10A structured incremental approach is taken to the subject matter.
Lecturer supervised learning20A series of design workshops will assist students in developing skills in this area and will build confidence.
Assignment50This group design project will enable learners to develop their skills in this area and express their creativity in dressing and presenting media messages.
Examination2This computerised in-class-test will examine learners' knowledge of the theory which underpins the principles news design.
Independent learning time43This consists of the reading of essential books.
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities
None
Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Digital productionThis consists of a group project to design, lay out and edit a spread for a specified publication and write a production spec and report on same.50%Sem 1 End
Computerised test/examThis in-class-test will examine students' knowledge of the theory which informs the news design process and their capacity to critique same in a coherent way.50%Sem 1 End
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List
  • Barnhurst, Kevin G. & Nerone, John: 2001, The Form of News, Guilford Press, New York,
  • Frost, Chris: 2003, Designing for Newspapers and Magazines, Routledge, London,
  • Harrower, Tim: 2002, The Newspaper Designer's Handbook, McGraw-Hill, New York,
  • White, Jan V.: 2003, Editing by Design, Allworth Press,
  • Adobe: 2009, Adobe InDesign CS4 Classroom in a Book, Peachpit, Pearson Education, Berkeley, CA,
Other Resources
None
Array
Programme or List of Programmes
JRBA in Journalism
Timetable this semester: Timetable for CM263
Date of Last Revision25-JAN-11
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