2025-2026 / PEAV0020-1

Techniques of journalism

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

 Bachelor in information and communication5 crédits 

Lecturer

David Leloup

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course focuses on the progressive learning of the fundamental methods, tools, and skills of the journalistic profession, through the supervised production of a completed journalistic article (portrait). The course successively addresses the key stages of journalistic work: the selection and problematisation of a subject, the identification of an angle and its public interest, the collection of information from open sources (OSINT) and human sources (HUMINT), the conduct of interviews, the management of sources and levels of attribution, the verification of information (fact-checking), journalistic writing, as well as the basic deontological principles governing the collection and publication of information.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of the course unit, the student will be able to:

1. Problematising a journalistic subject: identify, formulate, and justify a relevant journalistic portrait topic by defining a clear angle, an explicit public interest, and a realistic feasibility.

2. Collecting and verifying information rigorously: independently implement information-gathering techniques based on open sources (OSINT) and human sources (HUMINT), prepare and conduct interviews, manage sources and levels of attribution, and verify information in accordance with the deontological principles of journalism.

3. Writing and editing a completed journalistic text: structure, write, and edit a clear, accurate, and embodied journalistic portrait, using appropriate writing techniques and ensuring the factual, narrative, and stylistic coherence of the final text.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

- Excellent mastery of written and oral expression.

- Active and critical curiosity with regard to current affairs and societal issues.

- Regular and attentive engagement with the written, audiovisual, and digital press.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course combines theoretical input, analysis of journalistic examples, and practical exercises, enabling the student to master the entire process, from the conception of the topic to the production of a completed journalistic text.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Further information:

Number of class hours and time period: 30 hours during the second term.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

The slides presented during the course are available online on eCampus, along with teaching resources (reference theoretical texts, journalistic texts analysed in class, etc.).

Highly recommended readings:

- Yves Agnès, Manuel de journalisme, Paris, La Découverte, Coll. « Guides Grands Repères », 2016

- Jean-Luc Martin-Lagardette, Le guide de l'écriture journalistique, Paris, La Découverte, Coll. «Guides», 2016.

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire ) AND oral exam


Further information:

- A written assignment: the individual production of a journalistic portrait, developed progressively throughout the term and submitted at the end of the term. This written work makes it possible to assess the student's ability to mobilise, in an integrated manner, the journalistic techniques covered in the course (10 points).

- A written examination (MCQ +1 / 0 / -0.33): to assess the theoretical knowledge acquired during the course (6 points).

- An oral examination: to allow the student to justify the journalistic choices made in the submitted work, in particular with regard to the angle, methods of information gathering, verification, and writing (4 points).

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Contacts

Lecturer:

David LELOUP
Département Médias, Culture et Communication
Grand Poste Média Campus
Rue de la Régence 61
4000 Liège
04 366 29 57 
david.leloup@uliege.be

Research assistant:

Boris KRYWICKI
04 366 38 60
boris.krywicki@uliege.be

Secretariat:

Leila LANG
04 366 32 86
leila.lang@uliege.be

 

Association of one or more MOOCs