Digital Storytelling and Production

Code

MLAC4099

School

Media, Languages and Cultures

Level

4

Credits

20

Semesters

Autumn Malaysia

Summary

This 20 credit module will introduce MA students to the fundamentals of news production as well as trending topics in today's digital-first media enrironment. Students will first grappe with ethics in journalism before learning about topics such as storytelling best practices, multiplatform content production techniques, social storytelling methods and digital tools for investigative reporting. "Storytelling" in this context is described as a way to share facts, ideas and to convince - a good story means finding and verifying important or interesting information then presenting it in a way that engages the audience. Each week students will be required to complete multiple self-learning courses on the CNN Academy Hub e-learning platform and submit assessments related to that week's topic via the platform.

They will then take part in a one-week physical Bootcamp with CNN in Abu Dhabi. At the end of the course, students will have a much better understanding how a newsroom operates. The course will also feature a practical learning element with students learning the fundamentals of storytelling and production.

For their final assessment, studnts will have to pitch and produce a multi-platform story.

Target Students

MA Media, Communications and Culture

Assessment

• 20% Coursework 1: CNN Academy Hub Assignments (two reflexive essays equivalent to 1,000 words)
• 20% Coursework 2: The Pitch (1,500 word production proposal)
• 60% Coursework 3: Final Project (5-min video production (equivalent to 1,500 words) + 1,500 word reflexive essay)

Assessed by end of autumn semester

Learning Outcomes

Understand the ethical considerations that go into producing news stories, learn the basic pillars of storytelling, understand how to produce a news story and publish it.

Conveners

• Dr Bee Yin Joanne Lim