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:

1. Financial Journalism Writing and Production (M1 FJ):
2. 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

1. Financial Markets (M3 FM):
2. 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: Wed, 27 Sep 2023 14:25:09 SAST