Postgraduate Diploma in Economics Journalism: (part-time)
Fourth-year, part-time course (120 credits at NQF level 8)
Year Co-ordinator: Mr Ryan Hancocks
Room: 205
Email: r.hancocks@ru.ac.za
Overview:
The Postgraduate Diploma in Economics Journalism (PGDip EJ) is an NQF 8 qualification offered by the Rhodes University School of Journalism and Media Studies part-time over two calendar years. The qualification aims to take postgraduate students and media practitioners (with a previous NQF 7 qualification) from various backgrounds and provide them with practical coursework exposure to economics, financial and business journalism production.
The PGDip EJ builds on the journalistic skills of the participants by providing the required vocational training to report on issues and events in the financial and business sectors, as well as local and national government budget reporting, in a way that improves their career prospects and deepens their understanding of journalism. As a part-time course, it is ideal for working journalists who want to switch to financial journalism or develop a professional capacity in this reporting field.
The qualification provides a bridge for aspiring students from commerce and journalism backgrounds who wish to gain a formal qualification and training in economics journalism. Being an NQF 8 qualification, this is the perfect step for industry veterans and aspiring undergraduates to gain a strong postgraduate foothold in their chosen career path.
TIMES AND VENUES
The course relies heavily on self-driven assignments, though two mandatory in-person modules at the Rhodes University Campus with a duration of five days per module and a further two mandatory online modules in the first academic year. The second year of study will require two additional in-person and two online modules with the same duration, while the final capstone assignment will be completed as a self-driven project over year two.
Course Outline:
The PGDip EJ for 2024 consists of 8 core modules, all of which are compulsory; they are:
Year 1 Stream:
- Financial Journalism Writing and Production (M1 FJ):
- Economics Journalism (M2 EJ):
Module Overview:
This module is designed to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to financial journalism. Through theoretical discussions, practical exercises, and real-world case studies, students will gain a solid foundation in financial writing, news production, sourcing and verification, focusing on the unique context of financial journalism in Africa.
Module Duration:
This module is expected to span over one week and will be conducted in-person at Rhodes University in Makahanda.
Unit 1: Introduction to Financial Writing
Understanding the role of financial journalism
Key principles of effective financial writing
Differentiating financial news from other forms of journalism
Basics of financial terminology and jargon
Unit 2: News Production
The news cycle and financial markets
Writing news articles with clarity and conciseness
Structuring financial news stories
Incorporating data and statistics into financial reporting
Unit 3: Sourcing and Verification
Importance of reliable sources in financial journalism
Strategies for identifying credible sources
Techniques for verifying financial information
Ethical considerations in source protection
Unit 4: Financial Journalism in Africa
Overview of the financial landscape in Africa
Challenges and opportunities in African financial journalism
Case studies of successful African financial journalists
Exploring the role of financial journalism in African development
Unit 5: Case Study
In-depth analysis of a real-world financial news story
Understanding the investigative process in financial journalism
Group discussions and presentations on the selected case study
Lessons learned and implications for future reporting
Assessment: Final Projects and Evaluation
Students will work on individual projects related to financial journalism. This project will take the form of two set writing exercises for take-home work.
TEACHING METHODS AND ASSESSMENT:
Students must complete the required pre-reading before attending the week-long intensive. The module will be held at Rhodes University across five days as students attend workshop intensives. At the end of the week, students will be assigned two production pieces to submit in the set period after the module. These submissions will count the total mark for the module and are weighted equally.
CREDIT VALUE:
The course is 15 credits
OUTCOMES:
By the end of this module, students will have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of financial journalism, practical writing skills, and insights into the unique challenges and opportunities of reporting on financial matters in the African context.
Module Overview:
This module will equip students with the essential knowledge and skills for effective economics journalism. Through theoretical discussions, practical exercises, and a comprehensive case study assignment, students will gain insight into economics fundamentals, economic policy analysis, and real-world reporting scenarios.
Module Duration:
This module is expected to span over one week and will be conducted online using Zoom and other designated digital learning tools.
Unit 1: Introduction to Economics for Journalists
Understanding economics as a field of study
Key economic concepts for journalists
The role of economics in shaping news stories
Translating economic data for a general audience
Unit 2: Economic Policy
Introduction to economic policy and its significance
Government intervention in the economy
The impact of economic policies on society
Evaluating and reporting on economic policy decisions
Unit 3: In-Depth Monetary Policy
An in-depth exploration of monetary policy
Central banks and their role in managing the money supply
Interest rates, inflation, and their relationship to monetary policy
Reporting on central bank decisions and their effects on the economy
Unit 4: In-Depth Fiscal Policy
An in-depth examination of fiscal policy
Government spending, taxation, and budgeting
The role of fiscal policy in economic stability
Analysing and reporting on government budgetary decisions
Unit 5: Case Study
In-depth analysis of a real-world economic news story
Applying economic theory and policy analysis to the case study
Group discussions and presentations on the selected case study
Lessons learned and implications for future economics reporting
Assessment: Final Projects and Evaluation
Students will work on individual projects related to financial journalism. This project will take the form of two set writing exercises for take-home work.
TEACHING METHODS AND ASSESSMENT:
Students must complete the required pre-reading before attending the week-long intensive. The module will be held online across five days as students attend workshop intensives. At the end of the week, students will be assigned two production pieces to submit in the set period after the module. These submissions will count the total mark for the module and are weighted equally.
CREDIT VALUE:
The course is 15 credits
OUTCOMES:
By the end of this module, students will possess a strong foundation in economics journalism, including the ability to analyse economic policies, report on economic events, and critically examine economic data
- Financial Markets (M3 FM):
- Media Landscape (M4 ML):
Module Overview:
This module aims to give students a comprehensive understanding of financial markets and the skills required to report on them. Through theoretical knowledge, practical exercises, and a case study, students will gain insight into financial market fundamentals, core theories, regulatory frameworks, and the unique dynamics of financial markets in Africa.
Module Duration:
This module is expected to span over one week and will be conducted in-person at Rhodes University in Makahanda.
Unit 1: Introduction to Financial Market Reporting
Overview of financial markets and their significance
Role of financial market reporting and its place in the market
Key principles of financial market reporting
Understanding financial market terminology
Unit 2: Financial Market Core Theory
Fundamentals of financial markets and their components
Asset classes (equities, bonds, derivatives, etc.)
Market participants and their roles
Price formation and market efficiency
Unit 3: Financial Market Regulation
Regulatory bodies and their functions
Market integrity and investor protection
Insider trading and market manipulation
Compliance and ethics in financial market reporting
Unit 4: Market Development and Structure in Africa
African financial market landscape
Challenges and opportunities in African financial markets
Role of international investors in African markets
Reporting on emerging market trends and developments
Unit 5: Case Study
In-depth analysis of a real-world financial market event
Application of core theories and regulatory knowledge to the case study
Group discussions and presentations on the selected case study
Lessons learned and implications for financial market reporting
Assessment: Final Projects and Evaluation
Students will work on individual projects related to financial journalism. This project will take the form of two set writing exercises for take-home work.
TEACHING METHODS AND ASSESSMENT:
Students must complete the required pre-reading before attending the week-long intensive. The module will be held at Rhodes University across five days as students attend workshop intensives. At the end of the week, students will be assigned two production pieces to submit in the set period after the module. These submissions will count the total mark for the module and are weighted equally.
CREDIT VALUE:
The course is 15 credits
OUTCOMES:
By the end of this module, students will have a solid foundation in financial market reporting, including knowledge of core theories, regulatory frameworks, and the unique characteristics of African financial markets.
Module Overview:
This module is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the ever-evolving media landscape, focusing on the African context. Students will explore digital journalism, post-COVID news production, media production in Africa, journalism ethics, and regulations. Through theoretical discussions, practical exercises, and a case study, they will gain insights into the challenges and opportunities facing media professionals in the region.
Module Duration:
This module is expected to span over one week and will be conducted online using Zoom and other designated digital learning tools.
Unit 1: Digital Journalism in Africa
Introduction to digital journalism and its impact on the African media landscape
Digital storytelling techniques
Tools and platforms for digital journalism
Navigating the challenges of the digital age
Unit 2: News Production Post COVID
The transformation of news production in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic
Remote reporting and virtual newsrooms
Adapting to changing audience behaviours
Case studies of successful post-COVID news production strategies
Unit 3: Media Production in Africa
Overview of the African media industry
Traditional vs. digital media in Africa
Challenges and opportunities for media production in Africa
Strategies for audience engagement and growth
Unit 4: Journalism Ethics and Regulations in Africa
Ethical principles in journalism
Media regulations and press freedom in African countries
Reporting responsibly in diverse cultural contexts
Handling sensitive topics and ethical dilemmas
Unit 5: Case Study
In-depth analysis of a real-world media-related issue or event in Africa
Application of digital journalism techniques, ethics, and regulations to the case study
Group discussions and presentations on the selected case study
Lessons learned and implications for media professionals
Assessment: Final Projects and Evaluation
Students will work on individual projects related to financial journalism. This project will take the form of two set writing exercises for take-home work.
TEACHING METHODS AND ASSESSMENT:
Students must complete the required pre-reading before attending the week-long intensive. The module will be held online across five days as students attend workshop intensives. At the end of the week, students will be assigned two production pieces to submit in the set period after the module. These submissions will count the total mark for the module and are weighted equally.
CREDIT VALUE:
The course is 15 credits
OUTCOMES:
Last Modified: Thu, 25 Jul 2024 09:15:24 SAST