Learning to Teach

               My original research topic was, as you may know, Gangland Limerick in the Media. I had a little research done and a few sources lined up, but was worried that the end product would be more sociological than historical. I had the same problem when I covered a similar topic for my final year dissertation, so after discussing it with Finola Doyle-O'Neill, we both decided a change was needed. I settled on the Limerick Leader as a starting point as not a lot of research has been carried out on the publication. It is my intention that the compilation of my research will not read like a mundane chronolgoical history, but rather it will provide a new perspective on the newpaper, it's place in society and what it has done for Journalism in Limerick and for the city itself.

               I am aware that teaching this subject may be difficult, for undergrads they might not see the relevance in learning about a Limerick based newspaper if they have no association with the area. For this reason, I think it best that this subject would be taught as a case study. In this format I could present my research on The Limerick Leader as an example of a local newspaper, and the students could then use what they have learned to research their own local newspapers or even other media outlets.

Aim of Module

• To show students the relevance of popular local press in society and its importance as a legitimate historical source.

Module Content/Areas of Research

•  A brief historical accounnt of the Limerick Leader.
• Understanding why this paper and other local publications are worthy of research.
• The Leader in society.
• Breaking Stories and their effects.
• Battling against Limericks negative reputation in the media.
• Journalism and reporting - The leader as a stepping stone? A look at Fergal Keane.
• The successes and failures of the leader from 1889 to present.

Presentation and Teaching

• Teaching oints of my research in a classroom that can act as a foundation for multiple class discussion on various topics.
• Case Study Format - Using the example of a specific outlet to teach skills and methods that can be applied to other research topics.
• Engagement with primary sources - Limerick Leader articles that are available in UL library and online.
• Using powerpoint and presentations as opposed to mundane lecturing.
• Involvement of guest speakers - faculty from The Limerick Leader.

Learning Outcomes

Students should be able to:

• Engage with primary sources.
• Show interview and research skills.
• Apply skills to other media outlets.
• Participate in gropu discussion.
• Understand and Evaluate the importance of regional press.

Assessment

• MCQ quiz, small percentage, based on central important facts specifically concerning the Limerick Leader.
• Class attendance and participation.
• A choice of essay questions based specifically on the Limerick Leader.
• A choice of general essay questions that can be answered based on what has been learned in class.