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MAC214Social Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

Investigative and Interpretative Reporting

This course introduces undergraduate Mass Communication students to investigative and interpretative reporting. It explores fundamental concepts, information gathering techniques, and report writing processes for mass media. Students will learn to identify sources, conduct interviews, and interpret information ethically. The course also covers communication law, ethics, and their implications for sourcing and reporting investigative stories, emphasizing responsible journalism and societal impact.

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208h

Study Time

13

Weeks

16h

Per Week

none

Math Level

Course Keywords

Investigative ReportingInterpretative ReportingJournalism EthicsCommunication LawIn-Depth Reporting

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level

Builds on foundational knowledge

65%

intermediate

📚

Math Level

No Math

🔬

Learning Type

Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Investigative Reporting

2

Interpretative Reporting

3

Journalism Ethics

4

Communication Law

5

Information Gathering Techniques

6

Report Writing

7

Source Identification

8

Interviewing

9

Ethical Decision-Making

Total Topics9 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Investigative Journalist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Reporter

Apply your skills in this growing field

Editor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Media Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Public Relations Specialist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

News MediaPublic RelationsGovernment CommunicationAdvocacyNon-profit Organizations

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week

1

Module 1: Investigative and Interpretative Reporting: Understanding the Terms

4h

Unit 1: What is Journalism?

4 study hours

•Define journalism, discuss its history in Nigeria, and explain news selection.
•Understand the relationship between journalists and society.

Week

2

Module 1: Investigative and Interpretative Reporting: Understanding the Terms

4h

Unit 2: What Is Investigative Journalism?

4 study hours

•Define investigative reporting and differentiate it from other forms of reporting.
•Discuss the importance and limitations of investigative journalism in Nigeria.

Week

3

Module 1: Investigative and Interpretative Reporting: Understanding the Terms

4h

Unit 3: Interpretative Journalism

4 study hours

•Define interpretative journalism and discuss factors influencing a journalist's interpretation.
•Explain the importance and limitations of interpretative journalism.

Week

4

Module 1: Investigative and Interpretative Reporting: Understanding the Terms

4h

Unit 4: Relating Investigative with Interpretative Reporting

4 study hours

•Discuss the narrativity of news and the sociology of news production.
•Explain the effect of international media influence and the impact of news presentation on society.

Week

5

Module 2: Gathering Information for In-Depth Reporting

4h

Unit 1: Sources of Information

4 study hours

•Develop an objective for a news story and differentiate between primary and secondary sources.
•Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of paper, human, and digital sources.

Week

6

Module 2: Gathering Information for In-Depth Reporting

4h

Unit 2: Interviews

4 study hours

•Explain the importance of interviews and discuss their advantages and disadvantages.
•Identify various types of interviews and their appropriate uses.

Week

7

Module 2: Gathering Information for In-Depth Reporting

4h

Unit 3: Documentation and Interpretation of Information

4 study hours

•Discuss the importance of getting facts right and removing bias.
•Explain the importance of going undercover and doing systematic follow-ups.

Week

8

Module 3: Investigative and Interpretative Reporting: Writing the Story

4h

Unit 1: Writing an In-Depth Investigative Story (I)

4 study hours

•Identify the basic forms and formats of an investigative report.
•Explain journalism laws and ethics as they affect investigative journalism.

Week

9

Module 3: Investigative and Interpretative Reporting: Writing the Story

4h

Unit 2: Writing an In-Depth Investigative Story (II)

4 study hours

•Collate materials correctly for a story and write a story coherently.
•Discuss what a lead is and its importance in a story.

Week

10

Module 3: Investigative and Interpretative Reporting: Writing the Story

4h

Unit 3: Writing an In-Depth Investigative Story (III)

4 study hours

•Identify and write leads for an investigative piece.
•Explain the S-V-O construction formula and write an investigative feature story.

Week

11

Module 3: Investigative and Interpretative Reporting: Writing the Story

4h

Unit 4: Writing an In-Depth Investigative Story (IV)

4 study hours

•Use thread and transitions in a story.
•Establish your 'signature' in a story and bring your story to an effective ending.

Week

12

Module 4: Communication Law and Ethics

8h

Unit 1: Understanding Communication Law and Ethics

4 study hours

•Define and explain communication law and ethics.
•Explain the relationship between communication law and ethics.

Unit 2: Journalism Law

4 study hours

•Discuss situations where a libel or sedition suit is imminent.
•Explain how to avoid such suits and discuss defenses against communication laws like libel suits.

Week

13

Module 4: Communication Law and Ethics

8h

Unit 3: Ethics in Journalism

4 study hours

•Explain principles of Aristotle, Kant, Mill, and the Judeo-Christian ethic as they relate to journalism.
•Explain how to apply ethical principles to your work and discuss the core values of journalists.

Unit 4: Ethical Issues and Making Ethical Decisions

4 study hours

•Explain more ethical issues related to investigative journalism.
•Discuss systematic methods for arriving at ethical decisions.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review key definitions and concepts from Units 1-4 in Module 1 to establish a strong foundation.

2

Create case studies based on real-world examples of investigative and interpretative reporting, analyzing their ethical and legal implications.

3

Practice writing different types of leads (summary, narrative, etc.) for hypothetical investigative stories.

4

Focus on understanding the elements of libel and the defenses available to journalists, as covered in Module 4, Unit 2.

5

Develop a personal code of ethics based on the principles discussed in Module 4, Units 3 and 4, and apply it to various ethical dilemmas.

6

Prepare a study guide summarizing the main points of each unit, focusing on key terms, concepts, and examples.

7

Participate in group discussions to analyze and critique investigative reports, focusing on their strengths, weaknesses, and ethical considerations.

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