This course provides an understanding of journalism as a profession and covers the role and responsibilities of journalists, the evolution and development of the profession and detailed discussion on basic issues of covering news and writing news. Journalism practice in the different news media and newsroom environments is covered as well as the ethics of journalism, practical problems of newspaper production at home and abroad. This course also provides students with a basic idea of journalism as a profession along with background knowledge on the evolution of the press in Bangladesh.
Course Catalogue
Course Code: MSJ 220
Course Name:
Concepts of Journalism
Credit Hours:
3.00
Detailed Syllabus:
Course Code: MSJ 221
Course Name:
Global Perspectives on Journalism
Credit Hours:
3.00
Detailed Syllabus:
The course will enable students to acquire knowledge about journalism from a global perspective. It will also help them compare and contrast journalism practice in different countries thereby setting a benchmark for journalism in Bangladesh. Students will familiarize themselves with key contemporary and global issues, especially how they relate to Bangladesh. The course will provide the analytical skills and techniques to make sense of these issues and assess the merits of different approaches, theories and practices.
Course Code: MSJ 221 (New)
Course Name:
Journalism and the Global Economy
Credit Hours:
3.00
Detailed Syllabus:
The course provides the history and development of the Bangladeshi economy and situates its position vis-à-vis the global economy. It also describes the impacts of geopolitical trends on the local economy. It proceeds with a discussion of the growth and development of business journalism in the country; stressing the importance of the field in an increasingly market-driven economy.
Course Code: MSJ 222
Course Name:
News Gathering and Reporting
Credit Hours:
3.00
Detailed Syllabus:
The course is designed to help the students develop basic skills in writing news reports. Emphasis will be given on the techniques of gathering information and writing simple news stories including accident stories, obituary writing, news writing from press releases or hand outs and some local events including cultural events, festival, ceremonies and other citizenry events. Special emphasis will also be given on lead writing of both hard and soft news. A manual will be prepared and issued for class exercises.
Course Code: MSJ 231
Course Name:
New Media and Online Publication
Credit Hours:
3.00
Detailed Syllabus:
This course provides an introduction to the Internet and World Wide Web as an information and communication resource. Fundamental techniques of WWW authoring will be taught and will include file application and management, incorporation of graphics and the design of web pages, blog and online content. On completion of the course, students will know how to produce a web page, blog and multimedia contents in online that incorporates graphics, text and file sharing. The course is lab based.
Course Code: MSJ 231 (New)
Course Name:
Visual Communication
Prerequisite:
Credit Hours:
3.00
Detailed Syllabus:
This course explores the anthropology and sociology of the “image.” It demonstrates how images are used to construct and disseminate meanings in all societies for many purposes ranging from the religious, the political and the commercial reasons. A particular emphasis will be placed on the use of images for symbolic purposes, how they are perceived, circulated and decoded. Attention will also be paid to areas such as installations, make up and costumes.
Course Code: MSJ 232
Course Name:
Photojournalism
Credit Hours:
3.00
Detailed Syllabus:
Topics to be covered on this course include the history of photojournalism, the “news” photograph, how pictures are set up and selected and how the newspapers and magazines use photographs. In addition, the politics and ethics of photojournalism will be covered in depth, especially the ‘truthfulness’ of images? The role of photojournalism in covering the “front-line” such as war, conflict and social unrest will be addressed. The course will conclude with the consideration of the changing technology of photojournalism. The aesthetic analysis of photography, techniques of taking classic photographs, using photo lab, techniques of negative development and printing are another important focus of this course.
Course Code: MSJ 240
Course Name:
Mass Communication
Credit Hours:
3.00
Detailed Syllabus:
This course offers an understanding on the nature, functions and uses of mass communication in society. It includes the study of mass media audiences, mass media feedback system, impact of mass media, media and ethics, media access and pressure groups, media and politics, media and government, media and religion, media and women, media and business, mass media and culture, violence and media. It will conclude with a consideration of the media as the new public sphere. The course also provides students with solid background in mass communication theory in order for them to carry out research work in the field of mass media.
Course Code: MSJ 241
Course Name:
Approaches to Film Studies
Credit Hours:
3.00
Detailed Syllabus:
The course introduces students to the study of film, its history and aesthetics and their application to individual films and film movements. Students will become acquainted with basic elements, terminology and theories of critique and inquiry in film studies. These include genre theory, auteur theory, semiotics of film and the analysis of form as opposed to content. More than an overview, the goal is to train students to view films critically and with an informed awareness. Readings as well as screenings will be required.
Course Code: MSJ 241 (New)
Course Name:
Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication
Prerequisite:
Credit Hours:
3.00
Detailed Syllabus:
This course is divided into two parts. The first part is on interpersonal communication, which focuses on providing learners the necessary skills for effective interpersonal communication – person to person. These include techniques in message production, relationship building, interpersonal adaptation and impression management. The second part is on intercultural communication, which explores communication skills, models and theories in a cross cultural context, particularly on how different cultures filter experience through their own understandings of time, space, conventions, structures, verbal and non verbal communication.