Indicative topics are:
• History and purpose of sports reporting and its rise in the popular press from the turn of 20th century.
• The rise of the tabloid press and its obesssion with sport.
• The role of sports journalism in broadsheets and the impact of the internet and rolling news channels on the working practices of sports reporters.
• Funding, governing and regulatory structures of sports bodies and the effectiveness of sports journalists at holding them to account.
• Produce match reports, analysis and commentary to a professional standad and to deadline.
• Use social media to produce minute-by-minute coverage of live events.
• Textual analysis of some stars of sports reporting and feature writing.
• Produce features on sports issues.
Total Contact Hours: 24
Private Study Hours: 126
Total Study Hours: 150
MA Multimedia Journalism
MA in International Multimedia Journalism
Main assessment methods
Match Report (1000 words) (30%)
Feature (3000 words) (40%)
Examination, 2 hour (30%)
Reassessment methods
Like for Like
Sports Journalism by Phil Andrews (Sage, 2005)
Sports Journalism: Context and Issues by Raymond Boyle (Sage, 2006)
The Pits: The Real World of Formula One by Beverley Turner (Atlantic Books, 2004)
McIlvanney on Football by Hugh McIlvanney (Mainstream Publishing 1999)
The Meaning of Sport by Simon Barnes (Short Books, 2007)
The Great Reporters by David Randall (Pluto Press, 2005)
Journalism: Principles and Practice by Tony Harcup (Sage, 2009)
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1 Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the cultural, historical and social context within which sports journalism has developed since the beginning of the Twentieth Century
8.2 Apply key reporting processes, principles and skills to the particular demands of sports journalism in print and online
8.3 Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the regulatory and funding framework for sports and be capable of sophisticated comment on the extent to which journalists hold the relevant bodies to account
8.4 Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the impact increasing commercialisation has had on major sports and on the way sports are reported
8.5 Use online tools to produce instant minute-by-minute updates of live sporting events, followed by detailed match reports within minutes of the final whistle.
8.6 Read widely within the genre of sports journalism and have a sophisticated understanding of the difference between news, commentary, analysis and features in that context.
8.7 Learn the practical skills necessary to pass the National Council for the Training of Journalists' exam in sports journalism, as part of the professionally recognised NCTJ diploma.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1 Gather, organise and deploy information to make effective, sophisticated arguments and to communicate complex ideas clearly
9.2 Work to deadlines in flexible and innovative ways showing self-direction, originality and self-discipline
9.3 Make sophisticated use of appropriate terminology when writing or speaking about sports
9.4 Consider and evaluate their work with reference to professional standards.
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