The Master 120 offers a dynamic and original teaching approach. Students are invited to take part in a wide range of teaching activities, both individually and in groups. These activities are continuously and regularly assessed.
Many courses offer an integrated approach, which sometimes takes the form of a joint timetable in which the student progresses through the same subject in the light of different and complementary viewpoints and practices. Students will be exposed to the views of internationally active researchers and recognised professionals. This interweaving creates a special teaching framework, based on critical analysis and involvement in the practical world of journalism and its technological, social and political challenges. The courses aim for both technical performance and intellectual autonomy.
Ways of encouraging interdisciplinarity
The specific nature of information and communication sciences naturally encourages interdisciplinarity. The diverse backgrounds of the teaching staff reflect and guarantee this. In addition, Master 120 students work alongside students enrolled in Master 60. Most of these students come from a variety of disciplines (humanities, social sciences, exact sciences, etc.). This intermingling ensures that Information and Communication is truly interdisciplinary and open-minded. In addition, interdisciplinary approaches are offered by borrowing courses from other Schools or Faculties, or from other Universities through specific agreements.
Variety of teaching strategies (including e-learning)
Depending on the subjects taught, the teaching approach focuses on the acquisition of knowledge and analytical skills. In all cases, the aim is to teach intellectual and practical independence. The latter is particularly sought through individual and group projects and work. The use of 'intelligence technologies' is one of the pillars of the teaching methods used: as this is a journalism and communication course, students are both introduced to the technologies and software appropriate to the practices in their sector and invited to use them in following their programme. Some courses or parts of courses make use of the Moodle platform or other platforms.
Variety of learning situations
Students are invited to take part in traditional teaching activities: ex cathedra lectures, seminars and workshops. They will carry out individual and group work. They will be assessed on an ongoing basis and more occasionally in examination sessions. They will also be required to produce a dissertation or project dissertation. Finally, many courses offer an e-learning approach (making resources and exercises available, pedagogical management, sharing and collective assessment of work).
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Specific features of the Leuven School of Journalism
For a long time, universities suffered from a professional learning complex. It seemed unworthy of the human sciences to take on the task of learning technical knowledge. Inspired by Anglo-Saxon training models, the Louvain School of Journalism is continuing the work that its teaching team has been developing for many years. It is based on the conviction that, just as an engineer or doctor would not be allowed to practise without mastering practical knowledge, the era of journalists trained on the job is, for the most part, over. Today's university lecturer has to master a large number of techniques and be a driving force behind innovation. The close collaboration with the IAD and the MiiL, in particular, is based on the development of real-time productions, in synergy with the various players in the press, audiovisual, photography and multimedia sectors. Online journalism plays an essential role in all the practical courses. Students are trained to master the most up-to-date techniques (data journalism, precision journalism, etc.) and production methods (blogs, interactivity, web reporting, etc.).
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The EjL's teaching work is entrusted to a team of instructors who offer integrated courses in which theory, practice and criticism are interwoven, right down to the timetable. Students follow a dynamic programme rather than a simple juxtaposition of courses. They are encouraged to develop their intellectual skills while carrying out a large number of practical projects. The teaching team is made up of permanent academics, assistants and guest lecturers from the world of journalism. The latter are recognised professionals working in a wide variety of media.
EjL lecturers regularly take part in audit or training assignments with Belgian or foreign newsrooms. They draw on this experience to constantly adapt their training courses to the demands of a sector undergoing radical change. New technologies are taught from every angle: practical, critical, managerial, narrative, etc.
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