Cape Peninsula University of Technology CPUT Journalism

Cape Peninsula University of Technology Journalism Department, 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