Journalism At Cape Peninsula University Of Technology

Journalism At Cape Peninsula University Of Technology

Journalism At Cape Peninsula University Of Technology, Thomas Jefferson wrote that ‘the cornerstone of democracy rest on the foundation of an educated electorate’… and our Journalism programme takes this responsibility very seriously.

We feel that South Africa, as a republic in transition, requires civic-minded journalists with a strong sense of ethics and a deep-seated respect for constitutional values and diversity… including diversity of opinion. We encourage debate and dissent as we push students to interrogate their own and others’ beliefs in a manner that opens space for dialogue in classes and in their future careers.

Working in the media requires mastery of many inter-connected skills and so we have integrated our courses more than ever before as lecturers work closely together to prepare students for the demands of the market while expanding their perspectives of global media. So, for example, students simulate the work of pundits by engaging in televised debates for Broadcast while drawing on information from Political Theory and using grammatical and rhetorical skills acquired in English.

This in-depth approach to topical issues is then translated into professional practices that simulate workplace conditions as students produce material for print, radio and television.

Class projects

Hole in the Head: Our newest publication is the pride of the first-year class which is made up of ambitious students who are determined to out-do their predecessors. So far, they’re giving the senior students a run for their money as the first edition of HitH includes a feast of features and opinion pieces on almost any topic you could imagine. www.hithonline.com

CPUT Buzz: Still in its genesis, this is a bi-weekly student tabloid that focusses on campus events and issues. This is where our students test their investigative skills as they poke and prod under the ‘hood’ of the institution, ruffling a few feathers along the way. It is also a chance for students to hone their Design skills on the industry-standard software InDesign while demonstrating the potentially awesome power and responsibilities of the Fourth Estate.

Catalyst: More a blog portal than an online magazine, Catalyst pushes students to produce text every week. The wide range of topics and increased frequency of news cycle serves a ‘final polishing’ function for students as they prepare for their internships in industry. The current version awaits the return of its authors from their six-month stints at some of Cape Town’s most prestigious media establishments. http://catalystjourn.wordpress.com/

GAS: Launched in 2013 by the then-first-year students, GAS is a monthly online magazine that includes a dizzying range of topics, both local and international. Every few issues is called GAS Politics and focusses on the ‘boiling sea’ of the world of politics – from Washington filibusters to the rise of the E.F.F. See past issues at:

http://thegasmag.wix.com/gasmag

http://thegasmag.wix.com/gasafrica

http://thegasmag.wix.com/2014-1

http://www.thegaspolitics.com/

http://thegasmag.wix.com/gaspolitics2

Career Opportunities

More than just working in media, any graduate will be trained to communicate with skill and grace, thus enabling them to work in any Communication-related field.

Find out more about the National Diploma: Journalism

Find out more about the BTech: Journalism