The course traces the development of communication technologies and examines their collective and cumulative influence on society and culture. The course also looks at how the social uses of technology shape the development and application of the technology in question. The dialogic nature of the course encourages comparative analysis across history and cultures. The course engages students in the issues of media literacy, cyberbullying, cyber (un)safety, digital cultures, governance, and justice- theoretically and by drawing on their lived experiences – globally, nationally, locally.
Course Catalogue
Course Code: 03210122101 / MSJ2101
Course Name:
Communication and Technology
Credit Hours:
3.00
Detailed Syllabus:
Course Code: 03210122201 / MSJ2201
Course Name:
Mass Communication
Credit Hours:
3.00
Detailed Syllabus:
This course offers an understanding of the nature, scope, and functions of mass communication and detailed discussion on media industries and their respective structures. It also focuses on the composition and nature of media audience, impact of language and meaning, media effects, and research findings on critical media thinking. The course helps students develop mental faculty for critical thinking on media issues and provides a solid background to carry out research work in the field of mass media.
Course Code: 03210122251 / MSJ2251
Course Name:
Journalism and Society
Credit Hours:
3.00
Detailed Syllabus:
This course is a conceptual immersion into the role of journalism in Bangladesh and neighboring countries as a catalyst for social, political, economic, and cultural change. Students will learn the role and value of a free press, examine the principles of reporting, and consider the evolving impact of social media and digital technology on the field today.
Course Code: 03210123151 / MSJ3151
Course Name:
News Sourcing and Gathering
Credit Hours:
3.00
Detailed Syllabus:
Producing quality news content depends on putting together several elements – identifying appropriate information sources, gathering information, interviewing sources, doing research, and finding as much information as possible. The course provides students with an understanding of these alongside providing an overview of the journalism industry in Bangladesh. It also provides students with knowledge and skills of fact-checking. Emphasis is also given on a hands-on practice basis on developing/enhancing skills for taking preparation for a story, research, reporting, and the ability to communicate to create and maintain sources.
Course Code: 03210123152 / MSJ3152
Course Name:
Online Journalism
Credit Hours:
3.00
Detailed Syllabus:
The course helps students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to create a mark in today’s news industry, which is becoming increasingly digital. In doing so, the course revisits the basics of journalism and the recent developments in the journalistic landscape due to the advancements of ICTs to make students aware which of the basic processes and principles would work in journalistic endeavors on online platforms and what are the ways online journalism is different from the traditional mode. Later, the course focuses on telling stories using ICT tools, e. g. computer, digital audio recorders, handheld cameras, smartphones, etc., on “New Media” platforms like online news portals, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X (former Twitter), blogsite, etc. The students are expected to develop all-round web-publishing and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) skills by the end of the course. Also, they are required to produce 4-6 online news stories (including multimedia) in the areas of (but not limited to) sports, economic, environment, and emergency reporting beats.
Course Code: 03210123252 / MSJ3252
Course Name:
News Editing and Translation
Credit Hours:
3.00
Detailed Syllabus:
The course helps students develop/enhance the skills of editing news as necessary and translating them from English to Bangla and vise-versa. The editing skills the course focuses on include copy re-writing, proofreading, news treatment, understanding visuals, and page make-up (print) and page layout/design (online). The course also discusses the theoretical aspects of news editing and translation. It also introduces the students with the ideal profile and functions/responsibilities of a subeditor/copyeditor and newsroom operations, including the gatekeeping role media.
Course Code: 03210124151 / MSJ4151
Course Name:
Investigative Journalism-I
Credit Hours:
3.00
Detailed Syllabus:
This course provides hands-on training on advanced tools and techniques of investigative journalism and impart knowledge of how to ‘go deep’ on a story. It examines the critical role investigative journalism plays in a democratic society. Students will be introduced to the history of investigative journalism and its practices around the world. They will develop a mindset of investigative reporting, learn how to identify potential investigative topics, work with documents and data, interview wide range of sources, and write stories appropriate for multiple journalism platforms in a fair and ethical manner. They will also learn how to use relevant laws such as Right to Information Act in their investigation process, and Whistleblowers' Protection Act to protect their sources. The emphasis will be on fieldwork, combining human sources with first-hand, document-based reporting. By the end of the semester, they will be required to produce at least two multimedia investigative stories of publishable quality. Reporting topics will include (but not limited to) economic and financial issues, agriculture, and environmental reporting.
Course Code: 03210124152 / MSJ4152
Course Name:
Investigative Journalism-II
Credit Hours:
3.00
Detailed Syllabus:
The course teaches students how to conduct investigations in the field and sitting in the very newsroom using various online tools (e.g. Google tools, Advanced search engine, photo forensic, InVID, Yandex reverse image, verification guide for photos, TinEye). Students will learn by doing the essential methods required to comb public records, conduct internet forensics, fact-check, and use citizen contents to reveal authentic scoops, translate their scoop into a story that appeals to the audience, and present it using unique media formats to increase impact and raise public awareness. They will learn how to protect data and stay safe online (digital footprint) as well as build their emotional and mental resilience. The students will also be introduced to ethical codes and approaches of investigative journalism in digital environments under the existing Digital Security Act and ICT Act.
Course Code: 03210545231/ MSJ5231
Course Name:
Research Methodology
Credit Hours:
3.00
Detailed Syllabus:
The course examines the logic behind the quantitative and qualitative methods researchers use in solving research problems. This course helps students to learn and devise appropriate methods and strategies for their research projects those they have already conceptualized in previous semesters.
Course Code: 03220545223/ MSJ 5223
Course Name:
Knowledge Creation and Management
Credit Hours:
3.00
Detailed Syllabus:
The course focuses on the ways of gathering, organizing, refining, and disseminating knowledge. Students will learn the types of knowledge and realize the significance of knowledge management and organizational learning given the rise of knowledge driven economies. Students are expected to investigate how knowledge is created and managed.