Module Code - Title:

JM4024 - SPORTS JOURNALISM

Year Last Offered:

2025/6

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

0

Lab

2

Tutorial

1

Other

1

Private

6

Credits

6

Grading Type:

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

This module will provide students with the opportunity to develop their reporting, writing and broadcast skills in sports journalism. It will explore the principles and practice of good sports journalism and develop students analytical skills and critical awareness of the role of sport in newspapers, online, magazines and broadcast organisations.

Syllabus:

This module will give students practical experience in producing sports journalism for print and broadcast. Students will develop a rounded understanding of the processes involved in producing journalism content for sport. The significance of sports journalism within the overall newspaper, online and broadcast bulletin will be set in context. Additionally, students will conduct weekly field reports and work in their own time to attend sports events and write and/or record journalistic output to a professional standard for print, online and broadcast. Students will produce a range of material including reports, interviews and feature articles. Assessment will be through the practical production of sport reports for print, online and broadcast; sports interviewing and feature assignments and reflections on learning.

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: • Assess the value of making and nurturing contacts for sports journalism • Evaluate sports news for journalism • Devise a media plan, across print, broadcast and online, for the coverage of a sports event for a local media organisation • Apply the analytical skills they develop throughout the module in their own sports blog

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: • Demonstrate an understanding of the value of thorough research before conducting interviews • Display an understanding of the principles of sports journalism operations in convergent newsrooms • Question the value of sports journalism in the media, in particular with a view to sensationalism in sport • Show an awareness of the key skills required for fieldwork assignments in sports journalism

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

N/A

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

The module will consist of a two-hour laboratory and one-hour tutorial where the students will develop and improve their writing and broadcast skills in sports features, match reports, sports profiles, sports blogs and sports interviews. In addition, students will be prepared to effectively analyse sports events, develop an understanding of sports journalism and carry out effective research before conducting interviews. Students will be engaged in active learning both inside and outside the laboratory.

Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):

Prime Texts:

Andrews, P. (2011) Sports Journalism: a practical guide , Sage

BBC (1997) 50 Years of Sports Reporting , Harper Collins

Boyle, R. and Haynes, R. (2000) Power Play: Sport, Media and Popular Culture , Longman

Huntley, Heather L. and Billings, A. (2010) Examining Identity in Sports Media , Sage

Kervin, A. (1997) Sports Writing , A and C Black

Schultz, B. (2005) Sports Media: Reporting, Producing and Planning , Focal Press

Other Relevant Texts:

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

BAJNMEUFA - JOURNALISM AND NEW MEDIA

Semester(s) Module is Offered:

Spring

Module Leader:

Kathryn.Hayes@ul.ie