Model curricula for journalism education for developing countries ...

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APPENDIX 1
Diploma In Journalism (Two-year Post-secondary)
Education in secondary school varies from country to country and from school to
school. The strengths of students beginning a post-secondary certificate or diploma
program in journalism offered at a non-degree-granting institution may also
vary widely, and the program we offer may need to be adapted accordingly. Those
wishing to train as journalists, however, should be able to demonstrate an aptitude
for journalism that includes an ability to read, write and speak correctly in their
own language and in the language(s) they would be using as journalists, as well
as an interest in the civic, cultural and other mechanisms of their own community
and society. Students should emerge from a diploma program well versed and
practiced in the basic techniques and forms of journalism reporting and writing
(and presentation and performance in the broadcast media) and in the ethics and
laws that circumscribe the practice of journalism. To enrich their education, build a
foundation of general knowledge, encourage a more critical approach to the practice
of journalism, and allow them access to further study, their instruction in journalism
should be combined with coursework in language(s) and in other arts or science
disciplines. University-based schools of journalism may, as part of their admission
procedures, establish a credit system in which work done in a diploma course
would be assessed and weighed for credit towards a bachelor’s degree. In that case
the following program could serve as a bridge between secondary school and a
bachelor’s program in journalism.
First year
First term
• Foundations of journalism, with units in:
Logic, evidence and research (incorporating critical thinking)
Writing (incorporating grammar and syntax, and narrative,
descriptive and explanatory methods)
National and international institutions
(incorporating a basic understanding of one’s own country’s
system of government, its constitution, system of justice, political
process, economy, social and cultural organization, its relations with
other countries, and the place of journalism in the architecture of
democracy)
General knowledge
(incorporating basic knowledge of national and international history
and geography and an introduction to contemporary social and other
issues of importance to journalists, including gender, cultural
diversity religion, social class, conflict, poverty, development issues,