Course Title Introduction to Communication for Development
Course Code 03140545101/ MSJ 5101
Description:
This course introduces students to the field of Communication for Development (C4D). C4D is an evidence-based process that utilizes a mix of communication tools, channels, and approaches to facilitate participation and engagement with children, families, communities, networks for positive social and behavior change in both development and humanitarian contexts. The course offers a balanced understanding of critical aspects of development and links with communication from Bangladesh and Global South perspectives. It draws on learnings and concepts from the social, behavioral, and communication sciences. Students learn the key concepts and approaches in C4D and best practices in planning, implementing, and evaluating participatory and evidence-based C4D interventions.
Course Title Ethics in Media and Communication
Course Code 02230545102/ MSJ 5102
Description:
This course equips the students with ethical and moral principles surrounding media and communication professions in Bangladesh. Students develop an understanding and appreciation of these issues and the ability to analyze the important ethical issues involved with the media and communication industry in Bangladesh as well as in the world. Also, students are introduced to the rudiments of research ethics in this course.
Course Title Technical Writing
Course Code 02310545103/ MSJ 5103
Description:
This course equips students with practical, academic, and technical writing skills such as essay, research reports, project plans/proposals, project reports, etc. The students develop skills in presentation of specialized information in an accessible way to a variety of different audiences who expect clarity, accuracy, critical analysis, and professionalism. As such, the course stresses the key skills that highlight a successful professional technical communicator; specifically, the focus on the process of writing (including the planning, drafting, and revising stages).
Course Title Data and Statistics for Social Sciences
Course Code 05420545104/ MSJ 5104
Description:
The course introduces students with the basic principles and techniques, for example, descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, used in social science research. Students become familiar with different techniques related to organization, analysis, and visualization of research data, and communicating research results using texts and visuals. They also develop the ability of translating statistical data into meaningful text. The course mainly focuses on using statistical techniques for data analysis using computer – for example, MS Excel, not the mathematical procedure and theories involved in it.
Course Title Communication Research
Course Code 03210545111/ MSJ 5111
Description:
This is a core and thesis integrated course under the Master in Communication core study concentrations. It introduces the students to the rigors of communication and media research – discussing topic selection, literature review, research procedures, elements, and approaches. Moreover, the course illustrates research applications in print media, electronic media, film, popular culture, ICTs, public relations, advertising and media effects. Along with, this course helps students writing the introduction of their thesis that comprises background, research questions, and significance of the research they are pursuing.
Course Title Strategic Communication
Course Code 03140545212/ MSJ 5212
Description:
The aim of Strategic Communication is to provide you as executive-level managers with the necessary skills to adopt a strategic approach to the planning and control of the communication to different stakeholders of your organization, with the aim of developing a sustainable competitive advantage. The course combines both theoretical knowledge of fundamental theories, concepts, and applications of strategic communication and an overview of practices in communication management: research design, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Students investigate issues that challenge contemporary organizations by analyzing case studies, conducting research, and designing possible solutions.
Course Title Communication Theories
Course Code 03210545221/ MSJ 5221
Description:
The course is about understanding the roles and functions of theory in studying communication. It discusses the early theories of communication as well as the current theories. Under this course, students will learn how to appreciate, search, and write review of related studies/literature.
Moreover, the students will learn how to develop a study framework and operational definitions. This course is designed to make students capable of writing chapter 2 of their thesis.
Course Title Knowledge Creation and Management
Course Code 03220545223/ MSJ 5223
Description:
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.
Course Title Research Methodology
Course Code 03210545231/ MSJ 5231
Description:
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 Title Project Management
Course Code 03140545235/ MSJ 5232
Description:
This course provides a systematic and thorough introduction to all aspects of project management, in particular in development and corporate sectors. The course also discusses the technical, cultural, and communicative skills necessary to successfully manage projects from start to finish. Concepts will be discussed with real-life case studies covering a wide variety of project types needed in industries or organizations. The students are expected to produce a project analysis report by the end of the course.
Course Title Thesis Proposal Preparation
Course Code 03140546111/ MSJ 6111
Description:
This course is designed to integrate the knowledge and skills learned from previous research courses: Communication Research (chapter 1), Communication Theories (chapter 2) and Research Methodology (chapter 3). Students are expected to put together a research proposal on the basis of chapters they have written in previous semesters. They will present their proposal before a panel of scholars and/or professionals, and upon their successful defense of their proposals, appropriate supervisors are assigned to guide them in their research processes.
Course Title Organizing Communities: Advocacy, Activism and Social Justice
Course Code 03140546115/ MSJ 6115
Description:
The course introduces students to the methods and perspectives of activism, advocacy, and community mobilization. Cultural sustainability is often a matter of social justice and self-determination. The course provides students with an opportunity to explore in depth the philosophy and theory behind advocacy and community mobilization. By the end of this course, students are expected to produce communication materials for advocacy and/or mobilization on contemporary social issues in the country.
Course Title Communication Policy Making and Planning
Course Code 03140546121/ MSJ 6121
Description:
This course is designed to make students capable of writing a communication policy brief. They will learn about the key ingredients of an effective policy brief: evidence, policy context, and engagement. Students will learn how to design persuasive messages and understand why a policy brief works as an effective communication tool. In order to earn enough proficiency in policy matters, students need to understand it at three different but interconnected phases. Phase one would provide students with an ample theoretical discussion about policy issues from a research context. Phase two would enable them to learn and critique the formulation of several important media policies of Bangladesh. In phase three, students will learn to write a policy brief for a designated audience on a given topic.
Course Title Crisis Communication
Course Code 03140546125/ MSJ 6125
Description:
This course focuses on key elements of crisis and issues management – before, during, and after. Students learn from real-life examples regarding different stages of crisis management and communication, particularly identifying, preventing, and managing crisis situations. Emphasis is given on practical application of crisis communications theories to enable students formulate communication strategies and tools.
Course Title Social Media Management
Course Code 03140546126/ MSJ 6126
Description:
This course offers a framework to unlock the features of social media and its rise, addressing some crucial threads such as the change in communication strategy, audience attitude, and access to information concerning consumers and brands. It enhances students’ knowledge of the gamut of social media, enabling them to understand advocacy and mobilization, marketing, and branding through social media from a communication strategist’s standpoint.
Capstone Courses (any of the three cohorts)
01. Thesis Writing/ Production
Course Title Thesis Writing/Production Project 1
Course Code 03140546231/ MSJ 6231
Description:
These courses include a systematic investigation of a defined research questions and results in a piece of original research presented by the means of thesis and production project. The thesis/production will be presented before a panel of scholars and/or professionals.
Course Title Thesis Writing/Production Project 2
Course Code 03140546232/ MSJ 6232
Description:
These courses include a systematic investigation of a defined research questions and results in a piece of original research presented by the means of thesis and production project. The thesis/production will be presented before a panel of scholars and/or professionals.
Course Title Thesis Writing/Production Project 3
Course Code 03140546233/ MSJ 6233
Description:
These courses include a systematic investigation of a defined research questions and results in a piece of original research presented by the means of thesis and production project. The thesis/production will be presented before a panel of scholars and/or professionals.
02. Professional Development
Course Title Professional Development 1
Course Code 00310546234/ MSJ 6234
Description:
These courses prepare students for future professional career in at least three communication fields through practical experiences. Students are required to produce implementable communication projects according to the need of the organization they work for. Outputs of the courses include (but not limited to) documentary, policy paper, SBCC campaign, strategy paper, etc.
Course Title Professional Development 2
Course Code 00310546235/ MSJ 6235
Description:
These courses prepare students for future professional career in at least three communication fields through practical experiences. Students are required to produce implementable communication projects according to the need of the organization they work for. Outputs of the courses include (but not limited to) documentary, policy paper, SBCC campaign, strategy paper, etc.
Course Title Professional Development 3
Course Code 00310546236/ MSJ 6236
Description:
These courses prepare students for future professional career in at least three communication fields through practical experiences. Students are required to produce implementable communication projects according to the need of the organization they work for. Outputs of the courses include (but not limited to) documentary, policy paper, SBCC campaign, strategy paper, etc.
03. Comprehensive Exam
Course Title: Comprehensive Exam on Communication Issues
Course Code: 03140546237/ MSJ 6237
Description:
These courses focus on assessing learning of the students in different aspects and fields of communication, namely, communication Issues
Course Title: Comprehensive Exam on Communication Theories
Course Code: 03140546238/ MSJ 6238
Description:
These courses focus on assessing learning of the students in different aspects and fields of communication, namely, Communication Theories.
Course Title: Comprehensive Exam on Communication Skills
Course Code: 03140546239/ MSJ 6239
Description:
These courses focus on assessing learning of the students in different aspects and fields of communication, namely, Communication Skills
References
M. Communication Thesis Manual
M. Communication Handbook of Professional Development Courses