Course Curriculum for MSS in Mass Communication and Journalism
Curriculum
Master’s of Social Science (MSS)
Session: 2022-23
Department of Mass Communication and
Journalism
Faculty of Social Science
Jagannath University, Dhaka
1. Overview of the Department
The Department of Mass Communication and Journalism is an effervescent, energetic and growing place to build up the students with skill, aesthetic sensitivity and knowledge of outer world and to give a thorough understanding of the media, culture and society.
The Department started its journey with 4-year Honors Programme under the faculty of Social Sciences since March 4, 2009. Students in the honors program finished the four-year course successfully in 2009 and then went on to join the master's program in 2013. Since June 2013, the department has been offering a master's programmme, which is a big step forward. In 2015, MPhil and PhD programs were introduced.
The Department is privileged to have a fine team of highly qualified and experienced faculty members to carry out the academic objectives. The Department also immensely benefits from the academic service of eminent journalists and technical assistants.
The curriculum has been meticulously designed to foster critical thinking and familiarize students with the various aspects of communication and journalism. Special emphasis has been placed on the theory and philosophy of communication, exploring the relationship between media, society, politics, and culture, conducting media research, and understanding the implications of communication and information technology. Other key areas of focus include media laws and ethics, media advocacy, and more. In addition to these fundamental aspects, the curriculum also covers diverse fields, such as development communication and journalism, environment journalism, business journalism, and online journalism.
Some professional and creative courses like TV & film production and appreciation; advertising; script writing, desktop publishing are also included in the syllabus. In addition to class room teaching, the Department offers three months long internship programme, organizes study tours, arrange seminars, visit to media houses etc. Distinguished speakers are also invited to address on a particular issue on some occasion.
- Vision of the Department
To create a generation of media experts and skilled professionals who will be distinct in their vision to bring a new wave in media industry and academia.
1.2 Mission of the Department
To stimulate intellectual curiosity, imagination, rational thinking, thoughtful expression, and independent learning. It aims the students to be equipped with theoretical pedagogy and practical experiences on diversified arenas of media and communication scholarship.
1.3 Master's Programme
One academic year will consist of two semesters, namely the First Semester and Second Semester, with a total of 38 credits required for completion. In the first semester, each student will be offered 19 credits, which will include a mandatory field project focused on journalism or communication, worth 3 credits.
Moving on to the Second Semester, there will be two clusters for students to choose from: the thesis group and the general group. Each cluster will offer 19 course credits. For the thesis group, 11 credits will be allocated to three courses, with an additional 6 credits for the thesis (Dissertation: 4, Defense: 2). For the general group, 17 credits will be offered for five courses. Furthermore, all students will attend a viva voce worth 2 credits in their second semester.
1.4 Programme Educational Objectives (PEOs)
The objectives of Master’s of social sciences in MCJ programme are mentioned below:
- To provide advanced level of knowledge of media communication, content, context and culture.
- To develop critical understanding on media and communication theories and concepts.
- To build journalistic ability, and managerial and technical capacity for media industry.
- To develop critical inquiry and analytical skills on conducting media, communication and cultural research.
- To engage in field based works through rigorous practices.
- To develop professional expertise for communication industry.
1.5 Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
On completion of the MSS programme in MCJ, students will be able to:
|
PEO1 |
To provide advanced level of knowledge of media communication, content, context and culture. |
|
PLOs |
1.1 Analyze media and communication issues and events. |
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1.2 Compare media and communication system. |
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1.3 Criticize the relationship between new media, technology and society. |
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1.4 Explain historical perspective of media structure, media functioning. |
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1.5 Interpret the changes, transformation and the influences of media and communication on society, politics and culture. |
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1.6 Illustrate aesthetic sense of modern art and its various forms across culture. |
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1.7 Draw media’s role in conflict resolution and peace-building. |
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PEO2 |
To develop critical understanding on media and communication theories and concepts. |
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PLOs |
2.1 Examine the foundation of classical and contemporary theoretical inquiry. |
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2.2 Identified selected approaches to theorizing media and communication issues. |
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2.3 Explain the application of theory and its ethical implication in various communication contexts. |
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2.4 Analyze theoretical and conceptual arguments. |
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2.5 Apply theories and concepts in academic writing and discussion. |
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2.6 Assess theoretical and conceptual arguments. |
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PEO3 |
To build journalistic ability, and managerial and technical capacity for media industry. |
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PLOs |
3.1 Learn specialized forms of reporting. |
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3.2 Build editing capacity for both print and electronic media. |
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3.3 Execute the technical and managerial skills in media industry. |
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3.4 Analyze monetary and business policy of media economics. |
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PEO4 |
To develop critical inquiry and analytical skills on conducting media, communication and cultural research. |
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PLOs |
4.1 Explain philosophical assumption of social research. |
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4.2 Recognize research issues in the field of media, communication, and culture. |
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4.3 Justify theoretical and conceptual bases of media and communication research. |
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4.4 Design various types of research systematically. |
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PEO5 |
To engage in field based works through rigorous practices. |
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PLOs |
5.1 Learn how to conduct an empirical study systematically. |
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5.2 Assess research works critically. |
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5.3 Apply theoretical understanding in practical field. |
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5.4 Attain practical-based understanding of field work. |
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PEO6 |
To develop professional expertise for communication industry. |
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PLOs |
6.1 Demonstrate the relational linkage of media functioning with various institutions. |
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6.2 Formulate media message in a strategic and creative ways. |
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6.3 Appraise media text, resources, principles & services. |
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6.4 Interpret strategy and techniques of communication policy and plan. |
1.6 Admission Requirement
Students passed the 4-year honours course from the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of Jagannath University in just immediate previous session shall be eligible for admission into the Masters programme.
1.7 Programme Duration
The duration of the Master’s degree programme shall be of one (1) academic years and two (2) Semesters- to be called as 1st Semester (July-December) and Second Semester (January-June). Distribution of weeks in each Semester shall be as follows:
(i) Class teaching (actual class) = 14 weeks
(ii) Preparation time for Semester-final examination = 2 weeks
(iii) Semester-final examination = 4 weeks
Total = 20 weeks
The remaining weeks in the Semester would be used for preparation of results.
1.8 Types of Courses
There will be three types of courses, as follows:
(i) Theoretical courses: It includes core theoretical courses related to media, communication and Journalism.
(ii) Practical course: It includes Field projects, Thesis, and Portfolios.
(iii) Viva-voce courses, which may be part of a practical, theoretical, or fieldwork course and involve classroom instruction.
The theoretical, practical, and viva-voce courses should have their own unique course codes and credit points.
1.9 Teaching Hours
(i) Theoretical Courses: There shall be at least one (1) lecture-hour for each credit point in a week for each theoretical course; and there shall be two academic task-hours for each credit point (for open academic discussion) in the whole Semester. Therefore, in total, there shall be at least 15 (fifteen) contact hours for each theoretical credit point throughout the Semester.
(ii) Practical course: In case of practical/lab course, there shall be at least two (02) contact hours for each credit point in a week. As a result, there shall be at least 30 contact hours for each credit point practical/lab course throughout the Semester.
(iii) Viva-voce: Students shall appear in viva-voce examination (oral examination) having specified number of credit points at the end of 2nd Semester-final examination.
1.10 Medium of Instruction
The medium of instruction for the programme is English and Bangla
1.11 Academic Administration
a) Academic Calendar: The Academic Calendar showing dates of beginning and closing classes, commencement of examinations and probable dates for publication of the results shall be published by the respective Departmental academic committee before commencement of each Semester. The copy shall be sent to the Dean of the faculty, Controller of Examinations and the respective University authority.
b) Course Advisor: After admission every student shall be assigned to a ‘Course Advisor’ from the teachers of her/his discipline to guide him/her throughout the Semesters. The academic committee of each Department shall nominate a teacher as course advisor for each batch. S/he shall meet the students on a regular basis and advise them on all academic matters. c) Academic and co-academic activities: Within the framework of these rules & regulations and the rules of the University, the Departmental academic committee may adopt policies for strengthening the academic and co-academic activities of the Department.
1.12 Re-examination: Re-examination of any script shall not be allowed.
2. Courses, Credit
Altogether, there are 17 (including optional) courses and 38 credits in the programme spreads over two semesters in one academic years. Number of different types of courses are as follows:
- Theoretical 27
- Practical 9
- Viva-voce 2
All courses are assigned with specific number and credits for evaluation purpose as presented below:
|
Semester |
Full Marks |
Number of Credit |
|||
|
Theoretical |
Practical |
Viva-voce |
Total |
||
|
MSS 1st Semester |
500 |
16 |
3 |
- |
19 |
|
MSS 2nd Semester |
550 |
17 (for general group)/ 11 (for thesis group) |
6 (for thesis group) |
2 |
19 |
|
Total 2 Semesters |
1050 |
33/27 |
3/9 |
2 |
38 |
2.1 Summary of the courses in Two Semesters with Full Marks, Types of Course and Number of Credit
2.2 1st Semester Courses with Full Marks, Types of Courses and Number of Credit
|
Course Code |
Course Title |
Full Marks |
Number of Credit |
|||
|
Theoretical |
Practical |
Viva-voce |
Total |
|||
|
MCJ 5101 |
Media and Communication Theories |
100 |
4 |
- |
- |
4 |
|
MCJ 5102 |
Media Research and Cultural Analysis |
100 |
4 |
- |
- |
4 |
|
MCJ 5103 |
Advanced Reporting |
100 |
4 |
- |
- |
4 |
|
MCJ 5104 |
Advanced Editing |
100 |
4 |
- |
- |
4 |
|
MCJ 5105 |
Field Project |
100 |
- |
3 |
- |
3 |
|
Total |
500 |
16 |
3 |
- |
19 |
|
2.3 2nd Semester Courses with Full Marks, Types of Courses and Number of Credit (For Thesis Group)
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Course Code |
Course Title |
Full Marks |
Number of Credit |
|||
|
Theoretical |
Practical |
Viva-voce |
Total |
|||
|
MCJ 5201 |
Transnational Communication |
100 |
3 |
- |
- |
3 |
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MCJ 5202 |
New Media and Society |
100 |
4 |
- |
- |
4 |
|
MCJ 5203 |
Television: Context, Culture and Content |
100 |
4 |
- |
- |
4 |
|
MCJ 5211 |
Thesis (Dissertation: 4, Defense: 2) |
200 |
- |
6 |
- |
6 |
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MCJ 5212 |
Viva-voce |
50 |
- |
- |
2 |
2 |
|
Total |
550 |
11 |
6 |
2 |
19 |
|
2.4 2nd Semester Courses with Full Marks, Types of Courses and Number of Credit (For General Group)
|
Course Code |
Course Title |
Full Marks |
Number of Credit |
||||
|
Theoretical |
Practical |
Viva-voce |
Total |
||||
|
MCJ 5201 |
Transnational Communication |
100 |
3 |
- |
- |
3 |
|
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MCJ 5202 |
New Media and Society |
100 |
4 |
- |
- |
4 |
|
|
MCJ 5203 |
Television: Context, Culture and Content |
100 |
4 |
- |
- |
4 |
|
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MCJ 5204 |
Optional Courses (Any Two) |
Film Theories |
100 |
3+3=6 |
|
- |
6 |
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MCJ 5205 |
Public Relations |
100 |
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MCJ 5206 |
Advertising |
100 |
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MCJ 5207 |
Communication Policy and Planning |
100 |
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MCJ 5208 |
Media Economics and Management |
100 |
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MCJ 5209 |
Aesthetic Communication |
100 |
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MCJ 5210 |
PeaceJournalism |
100 |
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MCJ 5212 |
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Viva-voce |
50 |
- |
- |
2 |
2 |
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Total |
550 |
17 |
|
2 |
19 |
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3. Assessment
The assessment system is based on the University rules. Some key features are presented below. However, in case of any difference the university rule shall stand.
3.1 Marks distribution: Each theoretical course offered is assigned with either 50 or 100 marks. The proportion of the total marks of a course is distributed as follows:
Continuous Assessment 30%
Semester-final Examination 70%
Total = 100%
3.1.1 Continuous Assessment
(i) After completing 40% and 80% syllabus of a specific course, the respective course teacher shall take the 1st and the 2nd in-course/mid-semester/class-test/assignment/class performance/ examination respectively.
(ii) Each course teacher shall publish the marks of each in-course/mid-semester/class test/assignment/class-performance/examination marks through the notice board of the respective Department within 10 working days of the date of holding those examinations.
(iii) At the end of the course, the course teacher shall calculate total number of the continuous assessment (including class attendance) and prepare a marks sheet. S/he shall be notified it to the students and submitted the same to the chairman of the respective examination committee as well as to the Controller of the Examinations before start of the Semester final examination.
(iv) The course teacher shall also submit the class attendance report with the register /documents to the Chairman of the Department for percentage calculation before sending the examination entry forms to the Controller of the Examinations.
3.1.2 Class Attendance
A student shall be allowed to appear at the Semester final examination as a regular student if her/his class attendance is at least 70% on an average and a student shall not be allowed to appear at the examination if her/his class attendance is below 60% of the total classes held in a Semester. The Chairman of the Department may recommend the students having percentage of attendance between 60% to less then 70%. However, in such case a student shall have to pay fees as determined by the University authority for not fulfilling above condition(s).
3.2 Semester Final Examination
At the end of each semester, there will be Semester Final Examination for each theoretical course and viva-voce. All script are evaluated by two examiners (1st and 2nd) and the average is taken as final. In case of marks given by two examiners vary by 20% or more, a 3rd examiner examines the script. In such cases, the average of the nearest two marks are taken as final. If the difference is equal, the average of highest two is taken as final.
3.3 Letter Grade and Grade Point
Total marks obtained in each teaching course, oral (viva-voce) examination and practical courses shall be converted into LG (Letter Grade) and GP (Grade Point) as follows:
|
Numerical Grade |
Letter Grade |
Grade Point |
Interpretation |
|
|
80% or above |
A+ |
(A plus) |
4.00 |
Outstanding |
|
75% to less than 80% |
A |
(A regular) |
3.75 |
Excellent |
|
70% to less than 75% |
A- |
(A minus) |
3.50 |
Very Good |
|
65% to less than 70% |
B+ |
(B plus) |
3.25 |
Good |
|
60% to less than 65% |
B |
(B regular) |
3.00 |
Satisfactory |
|
55% to less than 60% |
B- |
(B minus) |
2.75 |
Below Satisfactory |
|
50% to less than 55% |
C+ |
(C plus) |
2.50 |
Average |
|
45% to less than 50% |
C |
(C regular) |
2.25 |
Pass |
|
40% to less than 45% |
D |
--- |
2.00 |
Poor |
|
Less than 40% |
F |
--- |
0.00 |
Fail |