2026/2027
English for Specific Purposes. English for Journalism and Media - 3
ID 1210264
Type:
Optional course
Delivered by:
School of Foreign Languages
Where:
Faculty of Humanities
When:
1-3 module
Open to:
students of one campus
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
48
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The discipline refers to the variable educational tracks offered to Bachelor’s degree students as an option while they master the optional course of English in accordance with the Concept of the Development of Foreign-Language Communicative Competence at HSE University.
The ESP course “English for Journalism and Media – 3” for Bachelor’s students explores the following topics: “Media and Society”, “Digital Media”, “News Production”, “Three Ps: Pre-production, Production, Post-production”, “Challenges, Trends, and Calls”.
Apart from a strong focus on mastering relevant and frequently used subject-specific vocabulary and key terminology through communication practice, the course provides an empirically based understanding of the discourse and language used in the target ESP variety by involving students in projects related to media production. The course is also aimed at developing the four major sets of language skills — listening, reading, writing, and speaking — through various tasks, both in standard and creative formats, based on the communicative approach to foreign-language teaching. Moreover, the course provides task-based activities, most of which simulate workplace assignments and help students practise professional communication prior to real working experience.
The prerequisite level for students willing to take the course is not lower than 70 points according to the HSE University / Lingvotest scale, as confirmed by the relevant university language assessment procedure.
The course includes the following assessment elements: Attendance; English Vocabulary Test (vocabulary quizzes/tests); Home Assignment (speaking and writing tasks based on the course units); Written Assessment (Review; Remastered Article, Writing a Post); Oral Assessment (Public Speech; Creating and Presenting a Blog; Final Project Presentation); Final Assessment (Listening, Reading and Vocabulary test).
Learning Objectives
- To sharpen students’ comprehension skills of manifold traditional and emerging types of media products, including professional articles, reports and user-generated content.
- To master essential genres and appropriate specialised registers of English used in journalism and media communication.
- To enable students to acquire specialised vocabulary, key terminology and frequently used lexical items in professional media contexts.
- To master analytical and critical thinking and writing skills in media-related contexts.
- To upgrade skills related to solving diverse professionally oriented tasks both individually and in teams.
- To foster awareness of long-term patterns and relevant trends in the spheres of media production and media consumption.
- To improve media literacy and develop a creative approach applicable to professionally relevant tasks, including media project management, public communication and content production.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- understand and analyse digital media content, including user-generated content, influencer communication and social media posts;
- understand and analyse news texts and reports dealing with contemporary events and media trends;
- understand the main stages of media production: pre-production, production and post-production;
- understand and analyse texts and audiovisual materials on media ethics, media literacy, editing and public service communication;
- use key vocabulary related to media ethics, editing, media literacy, public service announcements and audience impact;
- discuss ethical challenges and current trends in journalism and media communication;
- deliver a structured public speech on a media-related issue using appropriate register, argumentation and rhetorical strategies.
- rewrite and adapt older media texts for contemporary audiences and platforms;
- deliver a structured public speech on a media-related topic.
- use specialised vocabulary related to digital platforms, online audiences, content creation and audience engagement;
- write a social media post for a chosen platform and target audience;
- explain the concept, audience and communication strategy of a blog or vlog.
- identify the structure of news stories, headlines, leads and reports;
- use key vocabulary related to journalism, news production, headlines, leads and automated journalism;
- design and present a final media project, such as a news report, interview, media campaign or docuseries concept;
- can write clear, well-structured texts on a variety of subjects expanding points of view, developing arguments, synthesising and evaluating information, can evaluate different ideas or solutions to a problem
Course Contents
- 1. Media and Society
- 2. Digital Media
- 3. News Production
- 4. Three Ps (Pre-Production; Production; Post-Production
- 5. Challenges, Trends, and Calls
Assessment Elements
- Attendance 0.1Attendance is assessed based on students’ participation in practical classes.
- English Vocabulary Test 0.1English Vocabulary Test includes vocabulary quizzes/tests. Vocabulary quizzes/tests are based on the vocabulary studied during the course.
- Home Assignment 0.1Home Assignment includes speaking and writing tasks based on the course units. Home Assignment may include: reading and analysing authentic media texts; listening to or watching media-related materials; vocabulary practice based on the units; preparing short oral responses; preparing drafts for written assignments; planning parts of a blog or media project; drafting and revising project materials.
- Written Assessment 0.2Written Assessment includes the following written tasks: Review. Remastered Article — Unit 1. Writing a Post — Unit 2. Minimum 4 tasks of different types, including interim ones.
- Oral Assessment 0.2Oral Assessment includes the following tasks: Public Speeches. Creating and Presenting a Blog. Final Project Presentation. Minimum 3 tasks of different types, including interim ones that students do in class.
- Final Assessment 0.3Final Assessment, module 3 Period of Final Assessment: the final exam is held in class within 10 days before the exam period in class. The release of examination papers: during the session. The release of examination papers: during the session. The exam consists of 3 parts: Listening (30%), Reading (30%) and Vocabulary (40%) respectively in the total mark for the exam. 0 points in case of cheating. Retaking exams: till the 15th of October 2027. Time limit: 80 minutes online/offline. Tasks complexity: Advanced Level of English. Exam structure: 1. Listening (L) Listen to the text and complete the tasks 1-10. max. 10 points 2. Reading (R) Read the text and complete the tasks 1-10. max. 10 points 3. Vocabulary (V) Complete the following tasks. Max. 10 points. (the score is calculated according to Table 1) Grading formula: L*0,3+R*0,3 +V*0,4 = 10
Interim Assessment
- 2026/2027 3rd module0.2 * Written Assessment 0.2 + 0.1 * Attendance 0.1 + 0.1 * English Vocabulary Test 0.1 + 0.2 * Oral Assessment 0.2 + 0.3 * Final Assessment 0.3 + 0.1 * Home Assignment 0.1
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Английский язык. Медиакоммуникации и журналистика = English for Mediacommunication and Journalism : учебник / К. И. Хомутский, А. А. Левина, А. А. Хавронич [и др.] ; под ред. К. И. Хомутского. — Москва : КноРус, 2023. — 200 с. — ISBN 978-5-406-10727-0. — URL: https://book.ru/book/947063 (дата обращения: 09.12.2025). — Текст : электронный.
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Allan, S. (2006). Online News : Journalism and the Internet. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill Education. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=234174
- Leigh, D. (2019). Investigative Journalism : A Survival Guide. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=2247439
- Mackay, R. (2018). JOURNALISM : Reporting, Writing, and Editing for New Media; [S.l.]: White Press Academics. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=2268002
- Marcel Broersma, & Scott A. Eldridge II. (2019). Journalism and Social Media: Redistribution of Power? Media and Communication, (1), 193. https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v7i1.2048
- Russ-Mohl, S., Wilczek, B., & Nienstedt, H.-W. (2013). Journalism and Media Convergence. Berlin: De Gruyter. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=604258
- Sissons, H. (2006). Practical Journalism : How to Write News (Vol. 1st ed). London: SAGE Publications Ltd. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=509378
- Stephens, M. (2014). Beyond News : The Future of Journalism. New York: Columbia University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=781036
- Stewart, P., Alexander, R., & Boyd, A. (2016). Broadcast Journalism : Techniques of Radio and Television News (Vol. Seventh edition Peter Stewart and Ray Alexander). New York: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1163630
- Английский язык. Медиакоммуникации и журналистика : книга для учителя, Хомутский, К. И., 2024