Research, write, and sell your journalism pieces to publications
10 weeks, excluding
orientation
7–10 hours per week,
entirely online
Weekly modules,
flexible learning
1
The ability to develop, research, and interview for feature journalism, alongside editing and structuring methods.
2
A 2000-word article for your portfolio or for publication that has been guided and critiqued by the award-winning journalist André Wiesner.
3
An understanding of the legal and ethical implications of feature journalism, and the knowledge of how to sell your articles within the publishing market.
4
A certificate from Africa’s leading university,1 serving as formal proof of your feature journalism skills.
1 QS Top Universities (Aug, 2021).
Over the duration of this online short course, you’ll work through the following modules:
MODULE 2 The Form and Function of Features
Learn how to define journalism and discover where features fit in.
MODULE 3 Developing Feature Story Ideas
Learn about industry know-how, newsworthiness and photographibility.
MODULE 5 Interviewing for Feature Journalism
Discover the best ways to interview for feature journalism.
MODULE 6 Essential Elements of Feature Articles
Learn about content elements, angles, atmosphere, and more.
MODULE 8 Editing Your Article for Style and Clarity
Discover how to edit your feature article and learn more about depth and surface reading.
MODULE 9 Journalistic Ethics
Find out about the right to free speech, media responsibilities, ethics, and more.
MODULE 10 Selling Your Writing
Learn about locating and analysing markets, story proposals, working with editors, and more.
Please note that module titles and their contents are subject to change during course development.
Dr Ronald Irwin
Senior Lecturer, Media Studies and Production, The Centre for Film and Media Studies, UCT
Dr Irwin is a professional lecturer and writer. He was the writer-in-residence for UCT’s prestigious Master of Arts in creative writing in 2008, after teaching in the programme for 10 years. He has taught in the Centre for Film and Media Studies since 2009. Irwin is the author of the novel Flat Water Tuesday, and has written dozens of online and offline articles for outlets such as CNN, Men’s Health, and Brandchannel.
This UCT online short course is delivered in collaboration with online education provider GetSmarter, part of edX. Join a growing community of global professionals, and benefit from the opportunity to:
Gain verifiable and relevant competencies and earn invaluable recognition from an international selection of universities and institutions, entirely online and in your own time.
Enjoy a personalised, people-mediated online learning experience created to make you feel supported at every step.
Experience a flexible but structured approach to online education as you plan your learning around your life to meet weekly milestones.