University of Botswana
Department of Media Studies
BMS 332 BEAT REPORTING
HANDOUT 1: COURSE OUTLINE
Credits: 3. Option
Lecturer: Prof R Rooney, office Block: 225 / room 013, telephone extension 4045.
Timetable:
Weds 8.00 – 10.00 Block 238 / room 222
Thurs 10.00 – 11.00 Block 238 / room 222
Course Description:
A course that prepares students for reporting in specialised fields such as crime, politics, environment and health. This is a practical course and much of the work will be done outside of the classroom.
Course Objectives:
By the end of the course students should be able to:
1. Identify why newspapers have reporters specialising in different ‘beats’.
2. Compile a portfolio of background information on a chosen beat.
3. Produce a report detailing how the newspapers in Botswana cover a particular beat
4. Produce news stories and features from a particular beat
Course content:
1. Introduction to beat reporting
2. Preparing a report on demographics in Botswana
3. Preparing a report on the content of newspapers in Botswana
4. Writing news and features.
Assessment:
Assessment is 100 percent coursework. There is no final exam.
Assessment 1: Background information
Choose ONE of the following specialist areas and compile a portfolio of background information. Once you have compiled your portfolio and handed it in you will be asked to write news stories and features using the information you have gathered.
- Health
- Education
- Politics
- Non Government Organizations (NGOs)
- Crime and Justice
- Business and Economics (including Agriculture)
- Environment
The report should contain information on:
- Structures. How health, politics, education etc. is organized in Botswana.
- Data and statistics. E.g. Birth rates, HIV infection rates.
- Contacts. Who you should contact for information and comment on stories.
(100 Marks. This is worth 20 percent of your final mark).
Deadline Thurs. 2 February 2012.
Assessment 2: Newspaper coverage
Using the same specialist area that you had for assessment one Take four copies of any newspaper in Botswana (e.g. Sunday Standard, Midweek Sun) and measure the amount of space the newspaper devotes to your specialist area. Then write a report (about 800 words) giving details of the way in which the newspaper treats the topic.
What continuing or ‘running’ stories are there? What are the main current issues in your specialist area and what have the media been reporting about them in recent weeks and months?
Make suggestions on how your newspaper’s coverage of your topic can be improved. List four ideas for stories / articles that you could write for the newspaper on the chosen topic
(100 Marks. This is worth 20 percent of your final mark).
Deadline Thurs. 23 February 2012.
Assessment 3: Writing newspaper articles.
Students will write a total of three articles on their specialist area. Each article will be worth 20 percent of your final mark.
Deadlines
Article 1 Thurs 15 March 2012
Article 2 Thursday 5 April 2012
Article 3 Thurs 19 April 2012
Reading:
The News Manual
(The News Manual is a free online resource for journalists, would-be journalists, educators and people interested in the media. It has developed from the three-volume book 'The News Manual', which was published with the help of UNESCO as a practical guide to people entering the profession and to support mid-career journalists wanting to improve their skills.)
F W Hodgson (1996 4th ed), Modern Newspaper Practice, a primer on the press, Focal Press: London.
Richard Keeble (1998 2nd ed), The Newspapers Handbook, Routledge: London.
Richard Keeble (ed) (2005), Print Journalism, a critical introduction. Routledge: London.
Julian Harris, Kelly Leiter, Stanley Johnson (1981), The Complete Reporter, fundamentals of news gathering, writing and editing. Macmillan: New York.
David Wainwright (1982), Journalism Made Simple, Heinemann: London.
Institute for War and Peace Reporting writing guides http://iwpr.net/build-journalism/modules-and-exercises-journalism-training
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