Students who are interested studying Journalism at UP are encouraged to broaden their minds and develop their critical thinking skills during their undergraduate studies.
We will accept any bachelor's degree as prerequisite for application - but encourage students to pursue a field of study they are interested in - such as business, science or languages.
Subjects well suited for aspiring journalists include: any language (especially indigenous languages), politics, sociology and/or anthropology and history.
The honours programme consist five compulsory modules. The course is only available for full-time study.
JRN701 REPORTING AND WRITING
- What is news? This module will introduce students to the purpose of journalism in a democratic society and news values.
- Identifying and writing hard news stories: This module will introduce students to reporting skills, the use of sources, interviewing techniques, how to structure stories and to the appropriate language and style of news stories.
- Feature stories: This module will make the student aware of the difference between features and news. It will also introduce students to different types of feature stories. The following important concepts will be discussed: identifying stories, reporting in narrative long-form journalism, use of sources, interviewing techniques, structure, ethics in use of sources and the importance of editing.
In-depth discussions on media related issues that affect society such as the role of media and democracy, whose interests the media serves and how the industry is changing. This module will also give the students background on the South African media history, ethics in the media and media law.
JRN711 CONTENT SPECIALIZATIONS
This module introduces students to various fields of journalism. The specific specializations offered may vary from year to year. A choice of up to four specializations from the following options may be available:
- City/Community Reporting
- Crime and Justice Reporting
- Political Reporting
- Arts reporting
- Economic and business reporting
- Science and environmental reporting
- Health reporting; Sports reporting
This module introduces students to various media platforms. The specific specializations offered may vary from year to year. A choice of up to three specializations from the following options may be available:
- Reporting for TV
- Writing and editing for newspapers
- New media
- Reporting for Radio
- Photo-journalism
- Magazine writing
An in-depth research assignment using one of the media platforms and showing proficiency in at least one of the media content specializations.
THE APPLICATION CRITERIA IS AS FOLLOWS
- An appropriate Bachelor’s Degree
- An assessment of general knowledge through a written exam
- A prepared written assignment to test language proficiency
- An interview with the programme management and selected members of Faculty.
The programme manager will contact you with the details of the written exam (which will take place in October) if you comply with the first set of criteria for admission to the programme.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For queries: csc@up.ac.za or by call +27 (0)12 420 3111
For applications: via the online application page
Website: http://web.up.ac.za/
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