B.A. Journalism & Mass Communication
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication is a 4-year comprehensive and dynamic undergraduate honors program designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical understanding necessary for a successful career in the ever-evolving field of Mass Media, Communication, and Journalism. This program provides a solid foundation for media principles, theories, and communication strategies, preparing students to navigate the complexities of the contemporary media landscape. The curriculum leading to an honors degree along with a research dissertation in the discipline, provides the students with an advanced understanding of media and its various platforms, trains them in a specialization within the field, exposes them to the industry needs through immersive internship programs and practical based assessments and nurtures the ability of inquiry and research through dissertation project during the final semester.
KEY FEATURES:
1. Industry Centric Pedagogy:
The curriculum is structured to foster intellectual depth, encouraging students to analyze information critically and approach journalistic endeavours with a well-rounded perspective. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students gain insights from diverse fields, enabling them to comprehend the broader societal contexts that shape media narratives.
This approach suggests a strong emphasis on active engagement and application of knowledge through practical exercises, projects, and real-world scenarios. Theoretical knowledge sharing only consists of 40% of the total teaching load while 60% of the learning comes through practical work under the guided supervision of faculty. Each core course results in some form of media production by the students. They bring out their campus newspaper, produce news bulletins, and podcasts, design advertising campaigns, create content for the websites, shoot documentary films, and plan and execute events.
2. Interdisciplinary Curriculum:
Drawing from the New Education Policy, our Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication offers a meticulously crafted syllabus designed to cultivate analytical thinking and logical reasoning with a focus on preparing students for the industry and also making them responsible individuals. The distinctive feature of this program lies in its fusion of technology with humanities and social sciences, creating a transformative educational experience. Apart from theories and practices of various mass media domains, students are extensively taught multiple software required to create content, as per the current industry practices. Also, students are asked to choose from a basket of interdisciplinary courses from domains like social sciences, humanities, and data science to provide them a well-rounded overview of the industry.
3. Industrial Visits and Fieldwork:
Integral to our program are regular study tours and industry visits that immerse students in the practical dimensions of journalism. Guided visits to TV channels, newspaper offices, printing presses, radio stations, advertising agencies, and various fieldwork activities allow students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. These experiences not only enhance their understanding of the industry but also instill practical skills crucial for their future roles as media professionals.
4. Hands-on Experience:
School of Media and Journalism boasts state-of-the-art audio-visual facilities dedicated to training and exposure to various media platforms. We have multiple recording studios to provide hands-on experiences to students in broadcast journalism. Photography studio enables them to brush up their skills in still photography and production. Computer labs equipped with the latest editing, page-making, and graphic software hone their multimedia stills. Live coverage of in and off-campus events prepares students for real-time industry challenges. This emphasis on real-time experience is designed to equip our students with not only theoretical knowledge but also practical competence, ensuring they emerge as adept and adaptable professionals in the dynamic field of content creation.
5. Ever-evolving Syllabi:
Keeping up with the pace of changes in the media industry, our curriculum is updated every academic year ensuring more flexibility and choices for the students. Courses like Basics of Python, SQL, and Website Design are being introduced into the curriculum to provide them with the foundation of technology, required for modern-day content creation. Augmented Reality (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) are also taught to BAJMC students to prepare them for the new generation media.
Proficiency in software tools commonly used in web design, content creation, and multimedia production is also an integral part of the syllabus. This includes working efficiently with various tools like Canva, Audacity, InDesign, and Premiere Pro for graphic design, audio editing, page-making, and video production, respectively. Other tools like Adobe Photoshop, Google Suite, and Microsoft Office might be used for tasks like graphic design, document creation, and collaboration.
Students also get the opportunity to take courses from the humanities basket as well as advanced language and grammar which evolve them into well-rounded media professionals. A core focus of our curriculum is to instill ethical values and a sense of responsibility in our students. Courses emphasize the importance of fair and unbiased reporting, ethical decision-making, and understanding the social impact of Mass communication.
6. Expert Faculty Members:
Our Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication program is enriched by a team of accomplished faculty members who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the learning environment. Our faculty comprises seasoned professionals with backgrounds in print and broadcast journalism, corporate communication, film production, media research, digital communication, and related fields. With a commitment to fostering academic excellence and industry relevance, our faculty members are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of media professionals.
In addition to our esteemed faculty, our program regularly hosts practicing professionals from the industry as distinguished guest speakers from various sectors of the media industry and academia. These individuals bring a wealth of practical knowledge and diverse perspectives, enhancing the overall learning experience for our students.
KEY FEATURES OF OUR PEDAGOGY:
➣ Project-Based Learning:
We believe in learning by doing. Our curriculum incorporates project-based learning, allowing students to actively engage with real-world scenarios. Through hands-on projects, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, mirroring the challenges they will face in the media industry.
➣ Interactive Workshops and Seminars:
Regular interactive workshops and seminars are conducted by industry professionals, faculty members, and guest speakers. These sessions provide students with practical insights, facilitate discussions, and expose them to the latest trends and tools in journalism and Mass communication.
➣ Infrastructure:
Our state-of-the-art Multimedia Labs provide students with access to cutting-edge technology and software used in the industry. From Photography Studio, TV Studio, and computer labs to video editing to podcast production, students gain hands-on experience in multimedia storytelling, ensuring they are proficient in a variety of media formats. We have 360 Degree Cameras and hybrid-enabled classrooms.
➣ Digital Platforms Integration:
Recognizing the digital transformation of the media landscape, our pedagogy includes the integration of digital platforms. Students learn to leverage social media, online publishing, and other digital tools to disseminate information and engage with diverse audiences.
➣ Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Experiences:
To stay at the forefront of technological advancements, our program incorporates VR and AR experiences. This immersive technology allows students to explore new ways of storytelling, providing a unique perspective on the possibilities within the evolving media landscape.
➣ Collaborative Learning Spaces:
We prioritize collaborative learning through the creation of dynamic and interactive spaces. These spaces encourage students to collaborate on projects, share ideas, and engage in creative endeavours. The aim is to foster a sense of community and teamwork among our students.
➣ Internship-Embedded Learning:
Internship opportunities are embedded within the curriculum, allowing students to gain real-world experience while earning academic credit. This internship-embedded approach ensures that theoretical knowledge is complemented by practical application, preparing students for seamless transitions into the workforce.
➣ Peer Review and Feedback Sessions:
Our pedagogy emphasizes the importance of constructive feedback. Peer review sessions and feedback from faculty members create a supportive environment for students to refine their work, encouraging continuous improvement in their writing, reporting, and communication skills.
➣ Critical Media Literacy:
We empower students with critical media literacy skills, teaching them to analyse media content, discern biases, and evaluate the credibility of information. This approach equips our graduates with the ability to navigate the complex and evolving media landscape responsibly.
By adopting an innovative teaching-learning pedagogy, we ensure that our Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication program goes beyond traditional boundaries, preparing students to be agile, adaptable, and visionary contributors to the ever-evolving world of media. Join us in shaping the future of journalism and Mass communication.