Journalism Theories

Recommended Prerequisites

NA

Teaching Methods

Classes are taught using the expositive method combined with the active method, allowing that for each syllabus content students perform pedagogical activities either in groups or individually.

Learning Outcomes

Recognize the various stages of consolidation of journalism studies as part of the investigation of mass communication;

Demonstrate knowledge in the field of a comprehensive theoretical set of theories, concepts and perspectives about journalism, recognizing the respective epistemological stimuli;

Acquire skills for understanding journalism from its institutional and communicational matrix, translated in the understanding of professional practice as constructed within social bodies with specific logics, languages and practices;

Develop critical skills to identify and question the normative principles related to the practice of journalism;

Dominate knowledge about new news production and consumption practices in different media contexts.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Part I - Media effects research and journalism studies

1. Lines of research of mass communication effects

2. Setting the «agenda»

3. The spiral of silence

Part II - Normative models, concepts and new frontiers in journalism

4. Normative theories of journalism

5. Concepts of journalism

6. New frontiers of journalism

Part III - Theories of journalism performance

7. Theory of the mirror

8. Theories of personal action and political action

9. Organizational theory

10. Constructivist theory

Part IV - Information values, news production and consumption in different media contexts

11. News production

12. Newsworthiness

13. Production routines and sources.

Head Lecturer(s)

Rita Joana Basílio de Simões

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Christians, C., Glasser, T., McQuail, D., Nordenstreng, K. & White, R. (2009). Normative Theories of the Media: Journalism in democratic societies. University of Illinois Press.

Deuze, M.,& Witschge, T. (2020). Beyond Journalism. Polity Press.

Hanitzsch, T. & Wahl-Jorgensen, K. (Eds.) (2019). The Handbook of Journalism Studies. Routledge.

McCombs, M. (2004). A Teoria da Agenda: A Mídia e a opinião pública, Petrópolis: Editora Vozes.

McQuail, D. & Deuze, M. (2020). McQuail’s Media and Mass Communication Theory. SAGE.

Mesquita, M. (2004). O Quarto Equívoco. Coimbra: MinervaCoimbra.

Nobre Correia, J. M. (2018). Teoria da Informação Jornalística. Edições Almedina.

Schudson, M. (2019). Why Journalism Still Matters. Polity Press.

Schudson, M. (2010). Descobrindo a Notícia: Uma história social dos jornais nos Estados Unidos. Petrópolis: Editora Vozes.

Traquina, N. (2002). Jornalismo. Lisboa: Quimera.

Traquina, N. (1993) [org.]. Jornalismo, Questões, Teorias e «Estórias». Lisboa: Veja.