Course Title Communication Concepts and Theories
Course Code MSJ 11101
Description
The course is an overview of key concepts of communication and its related fields. It includes definitions, development, scope, purpose and functions of communications. It details discussions on the communication process and some communication fields, which are necessary for obtaining basic knowledge on Media Studies and Journalism. Several communication models and perspectives will be tackled in the course as well as some guidelines on how to do library research on communication.
Course Title Communication Research
Course Code MSJ11102
Description
This is a beginner’s level course that aims to help students become knowledgeable consumers and limited producers of media and communication research. In the scope of this course, students develop skills in gathering, organizing, interpreting, presenting and evaluating research information competently under appropriate methods.
Course Title Figures and Numbers for Communication Majors
Course Code MSJ11103
Description
Figures and Numbers for Communication majors is a course taught in third semester. This has been taught to appreciate the language of figures and numbers, which add special value to any message or report. The course covers the use of numbers in media, including journalism and public relations, and serves as a refresher on how to perform basic calculations to find fractions/percentage, percentage change and ratio. It restates the basic survey techniques, which generally taught in Communication Research.
Course Title English for Media
Course Code MSJ 11201
Description
This course examines the techniques of writing and speaking for online, print and electronic media. Students will primarily gain an understanding of the English language used for journalism and then realize the linguistic forms and challenges in the media.
Course Title Bangla for Media
Course Code MSJ11202
Description
This course aims to orient students to writing and reading news in standard Bangla. To enhance students’ skills in Bangla for different media platform they will be exposed to the grammar of Bangla writing. The course will combine theories with a great emphasis of their application. Students will be required to write, rewrite & edit report in Bangla.
Course Title Communication and Technology
Course Code MSJ11203
Description
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.
Course Title Mass Communication
Course Code MSJ 11211
Description
This course offers an understanding on the nature, scope and functions of mass communication and detailed discussion on media industries and their respective structures. It will also focus on the composition and nature of media audience.
Course Title Introduction to Journalism
Course Code MSJ11212
Description
The course’s main objective will be to introduce to the students the basic concept of journalism and explain to them as to how journalism as a profession has evolved over the years. Right from defining ‘news’ in the modern era and learning the structure of a basic hard report to the methods of working on a story, the course aims to touch on these basic concepts through the best possible means.
Course Title Principles of Public Relations
Course Code MSJ11213
Description
This course mainly provides an overview of Public Relations to all Media Studies and Journalism students. Students will be given a theoretical overview of the key principles and concepts of PR in this course. The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding that the practice of public relations has evolved from a set of technical communications skills, to a more strategic, professional and management-focused undertaking.
Course Title Convergence Communication 1
Course Code MSJ 11214
Description
In this course, students can utilize their interests and capabilities of variety of subjects and media. They can create an atmosphere that immerses the viewer into a sensory, emotional and knowledgeable experience. Students expand the physical boundaries of art and include a variety of media, including found objects, videos, photographs, digital arts, paintings, drawings, music, sound effects, sculptural materials, their own body and or/ someone else’s body in their work.
Course Title Convergence Communication 2
Course Code MSJ 11215
Description
Building on the foundation of Convergence Communication 1, this course will feature more advanced story-telling techniques, including interactivity and web development. Students will focus on the finer points of text and image composition and the state of online journalism in Bangladesh.
Course Title Journalism and Global Economy
Course Code MSJ 11221
Description
The course will provide a basic introduction of the effect that Journalism has had on various sectors of the economy and vice-versa. The main objective of the course will be to give the students an idea regarding the relationship between business and journalism both in Bangladesh and outside. Exercises will include training on business writing and the editing of business reports. The course will try its best to give the students a true picture of the business journalism sector in Bangladesh. A primary emphasis of the course will be to train students on writing reports and features on subjects related to the economy.
Course Title Visual Communication
Course Code MSJ11231
Description
Visual Communication is a bridge between an idea and its intended audience. In the fields of art, sign, symbol and design, for example, visual communicators use color, symbol, text, motif, object, form, and image to communicate information. The course will be conducted through a series of lectures, group discussion, presentations, hands-on practice, role-plays, assignments and final project.
Course title Interpersonal and intercultural communication
Course Code MSJ11241
Description
The foundational mechanisms of interpersonal and intercultural communication are the key concerns of this course. It will address the cultural relativism and how communication process and methods may vary depending on cultural contexts. This course is a journey from possible conflict to effective communication and how efficiency in intercultural understanding can resolve possible issues. It will situate ‘interpersonal’ in culture context and examine the very idea of person whether it is culture independent or not.
Course Title Critical Thinking and Logic
Course Code MSJ 11301
Description
This course examines introduces students to the study and practice of critical thinking and its basic methods, making explicit their connection with common issues of daily life. More specifically, it aims to familiarise students with the basic but essential skills of analysing, evaluating, and constructing arguments, and to hone their ability to apply these skills to thinking and writing.
Course Title News Sourcing and Gathering
Course Code MSJ 11321
Description
The course provides students with an understanding of the journalism industry of Bangladesh with relation to the concept of sources. It also provides students with detailed information about the importance of fact checking in the field of journalism. Emphasis is on reporting, research, preparation for a story and the ability to communicate in order to gain sources.
Course Title News Editing and Translation
Course Code MSJ 11322
Description
The course is designed to develop the skills of editing in both English and Bangla. This includes copy re-writing, headline writing, proofreading, news scheduling and news treatment. Moreover, it provides students with the knowledge needed to translate English business news reports and feature articles to Bangla and vice versa.
Course Title Economic and Financial Reporting
Course Code MSJ 11323
Description
This course is designed to help students specialize in economic and financial reporting. In this course, emphasis will be given to teach the art of covering personal finance, capital market, national/global economy, banking, insurance, taxation and property.
Course Title Labor and Workplace Reporting
Course Code MSJ 11324
Description
This course will try to provide an overview of Bangladesh’s labour sector, its contribution to national economy, rights enjoyed by the working class and workers-employers relationship. Students will learn to appreciate the critical need of a buoyant labour sector for a vibrant economy. They’ll know the role trade unions can potentially play, understand the importance of providing labourers with better wages and safe workplace.
Course Title Reporting on SMEs and Non-profits
Course Code MSJ 11325
Description
The course provides students with an understanding of the journalism industry of Bangladesh with relation to the concept of sources. It also provides students with detailed information about the importance of fact checking in the field of journalism. Emphasis is on reporting, research, preparation for a story and the ability to communicate in order to gain sources.
Course Title Reporting on the Economy and Climate Change
Course Code MSJ11326
Description:
This course will try to provide an overview of climate change, its historical perspective, and debate over climate change, institutional structures and legal frameworks evolved around the climate change issue. At the end of the course we’ll have a better grasp on issues concerning the greenhouse effect, the reasons behind the acceleration of climate change, the formation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the Kyoto Protocol and post-Kyoto developments.
Course Title Cinema Studies
Course Code MSJ11331
Description
A student interested in film should learn reading a cinema rather than watching it. This course will be aimed at equipping students with the knowledge and skill by which they will be able to understand and explain different aspects of cinema. To achieve this the students will be made acquainted with basic terminology, technology, elements and theories of cinema. Students will be introduced to contemporary digital technology of filmmaking
Course Title Media Presentation and Performance
Course Code MSJ 11332
Description
The course will introduce the students to some of the techniques for the development of skills to perform in front of the camera, for presentation on Television and Cinema. This includes script and character development, acting, voice and speech, pronunciation and articulation, basic fitness and posture, style, grooming and makeup. Emphasis is placed on lecture/studio lab course work and project presentations which are designed to give the student actors a foundation in skills and techniques employed in the craft of acting and presentation for the camera.
Course Title Writing for Film and Television
Course Code MSJ 11333
Description
This course will aim to provide students with basic knowledge on screenplay writing for film and television productions. Students will be taught about the steps of developing a film screenplay and information film script. In addition, they well will learn about standard screenplay format. Students will be expected to write two screenplays, one for entertainment film and another for information film.
Course Title Digital Cinematography
Course Code MSJ 11334
Description
Digital cinematography provides a cost-effective and increasingly sophisticated means of visual story telling. This course familiarizes students with the technical capacity of digital cameras for lighting, filtration, picture manipulation, high definition and special effects, among other features. Students apply the principles of lighting and composition using the digital camera to create mood and atmosphere in their productions.
Course Title Digital Post-production
Course Code MSJ 11335
Description
The course builds upon basic digital cinematography. It is a practical course wherein students learn post-production skills such as non-linear digital editing, sound mixing and music effects. Students will be expected to learn computer software and sound equipment, as well as understand basic theories.
Course Title TV Infotainment Production
Course Code MSJ 11336
Description
This intermediate course will teach students a range of skills necessary for the production of TV programs. These include research, program development, scheduling, camera placement and movement, editing and post-production. This course also will cover basic production design skills such as sets and costumes.
Course Title Strategic Public Relations
Course Code MSJ 11341
Description
This course will assist students in realizing the importance of Public Relations in the present corporate world and contemporary organizational environment. It will equip the students with knowledge and practical skills in strategic thinking, planning and presenting information based on recent strategic PR practices. Students will learn hands-on about different PR methods and tools regarding current business landscapes – enhancing their bandwidth of strategic approaches towards solving PR issues.
Course Title Public Relations Research
Course Code MSJ 11342
Description
This course is designed to introduce the role research can play in public relations, with a particular focus on how to collect, analyze, and present quantitative data. We will cover research methodologies, techniques, design, and analysis with a focus on the utility of data in Public Relations. This will provide opportunities to discuss the applied use of research and evaluation. The course will introduce students to the technical skills and approaches that will help them conduct PR research
Course Title Media Relations
Course Code MSJ11343
Description
Media relations generally involve five media: newspapers, magazines, radio, television and online. This course discusses those activities that involve working directly with persons responsible for the editorial (news and features), public service and sponsored programming products of mass media. It discusses media handling theories used in the field of public relations, the advantages of publicity, planning publicity campaign, understanding the media, press interviews, managing a crisis, media evaluation – enabling students to appreciate the relevance of theory to everyday life and in the work place.
Course Title Internal Communication
Course Code MSJ11344
Description
This course deals with the internal publics of the institution. It is designed to help students learn about how communication takes place in an organizational setting – how an organization utilizes communication to achieve certain goals and how communication in an organization influences an organization’s goals. The course will examine strategies for effective upward, downward and sideward communication. The course will also deal with conflicts and conflict management of internal communication.
Course Title Created Private Media
Course Code MSJ 11345
Description
Course is designed to underscore the importance of Created Private Media- the media for specialized and focused audience. With an emphasis on in-house journals, audiovisual and online media products. The course also discusses other created private media such as educational literature, spoken words, seminars, conferences, company events and private exhibitions.
Course Title Speech Writing and Public Speaking
Course Code MSJ 11346
Description
The course provides instruction and experience in preparation and delivery of speeches within a public setting. Emphasis is on research, preparation, delivery and evaluation of informative, persuasive and special occasion public speaking. Upon completion students should be able to prepare and deliver well organised speeches and participate in group discussions.
Course Title History of Bangladeshi Media
Course Code MSJ 11350
Description
This course aims to engage in sharing the historical perspectives of Bangladeshi mass median that eventually share the landscapes since the birth of Bangladeshi mass media that appeared through appearance of newspaper in the sub-continent. This discussion arguably will focus upon the social, political and cultural aspects of the nation and the sub-continent as well.
Course Title Reading Media Text: A Critical Introduction to Tareque Masud
Course Code MSJ11351
Description
This is an advanced level course aiming to teach how to read film as social practice, historical interpreter and cultural signifier. In doing so, it will attempt a critical investigation in the film, philosophy and cultural politics of the film-maker and activist Tareque Masud. This course will comprise lecturing, discussion, film viewing and other creative methods for evaluation.
Course Title Introduction to Digital Culture
Course Code MSJ 11359
Description
In this course, students will learn about digital technology through a cultural lens. This course will introduce the students to the existing debates around ‘new media’, ‘digital cultures’, ‘web 2.0’, ‘media 2.0’, etc. The course will look at how digital technology and advancements have shaped and formed new cultural ideas and traditions globally, and will raise questions on existing methods of analysis and look at what new critical frameworks perhaps would be needed to understand the cultural specificity of different regions
Course Title Introduction to Photography
Course Code MSJ 11374
Description
The course introduces the concepts, procedures and techniques of photography. It demonstrates the professional photography camera controlling and the post-production techniques in photography.
Course Title Film History
Course Code MSJ11375
Description
This class is intended to be an introduction to the history of film. As such, it will explore the major movements and concepts in the field of cinema and film studies. It will examine both the technical developments that have changed the way movies are made and viewed, as well as the conceptual framework that has changed how people understand films. Students will learn how to look at film with a critical eye more than as a form for entertainment.
Course Title Aesthetics of Film
Course Code MSJ 11376
Description
This class provides an introduction to the narrative and stylistic techniques used in filmmaking in order to more fully understand how meaning is constructed, conveyed, and interpreted in film. In a participatory lecture format, you will critically explore thought-provoking films and the creative approaches behind them, actively engaging with each work and developing your own informed perspective through lectures, facilitated discussion, readings, class projects and activities, and online blogs.
Course Title Development Communication
Course Code MSJ 11401
Description
The course addresses the major concepts of development communication, the different types and techniques of development support communication, the diffusion of innovation and role of communication in a number of areas such as education, agriculture, health and community development.
Course Title Ethics in Media and Communications
Course Code MSJ 11402
Description
This course will introduce students to the study of ethical issues in the media and communication. Students will develop an understanding and appreciation of these issues and the ability to analyze the important ethical issues involved with the mass media and communication industry of Bangladesh as well as in the world.
Course Title Media and the Law
Course Code MSJ 11411
Description
This course aims to teach students media, law, legal rights as well as obligations. Students will be able to learn how to publish information without violating defamation and invasion of privacy, how to gather information to avoid legal and/or ethical trouble and how to deal with different orders. Besides, this course will examine how to steer the digital space of contemporary journalism and focusing on different laws, policies and best practices in the use of photographs and other copyrighted works.
Course Title Business Beat Reporting 1
Course Code MSJ 11421
Description
This course will develop on basic economic reporting and strive to provide a more in-depth understanding of a few business beats and reporting skills — national budget (which coincides with the course), agriculture, telecoms, RMG and commodities.
Course Title Business Beat Reporting 2
Course Code MSJ 11422
Description
This course builds on Business Beat Reporting 1, expanding basic knowledge to include coverage of government regulatory bodies, economic and financial issues of the macro-economy, banking, and business organisations. Students will compare Bangladeshi media coverage of the economy and business, as well as produce their own business news stories for class assignments.
Course Title Documentary Production
Course Code MSJ 11431
Description
This course will begin following the culmination of the Digital Production concentration. Students are expected to work cooperatively in clearly defined production roles. The production format is video. In this course students will gain knowledge and practice in different stages of a fictional video making process.
Course Title Fictional Narrative Production
Course Code MSJ 11432
Description
This course is an intermediate aesthetic and technical production course in short-form fictional narrative production. Through screenings, discussions, readings and creative production projects, students will explore the collaborative process of narrative filmmaking and the conventions of the fiction form. This course builds on the skills and knowledge obtained in the beginning production course. Students work independently and collaboratively on the production of short media projects using video and digital technologies that provide project-driven experience in the disciplines of writing, producing, directing, camera work, sound, and editing.
Course Title Advertising
Course Code MSJ 11441
Description
In this course, advertising concepts, definitions and the historical development stages of the industry are examined. The role of advertising in the marketing communication process and the new dimension of advertising will be defined. The advertising course also offers students the basic advertising techniques within communication process and marketing mix. It aims to introduce different types of advertising, advertising media, sales promotion, sponsorship and exhibitions models for analysis and the planning, executing and evaluation of an advertising process.
Course Title Public Relation Campaign
Course Code MSJ 11442
Description
This course is designed to help students create successful PR campaigns. These include identifying the problem, creating campaign objectives, specifying the audience, formulating PR strategies, planning for implementation and designing monitoring and evaluation techniques. Students would prepare a public relations campaign that they have to present at the end of the semester in order to be familiar with how public relations industry works in real life.
Course Title Communication and Culture: An Introduction to Cultural Studies
Course Code MSJ 11453
Description
This course introduces students to the field of Cultural Studies, helping them develop an understanding of the approach as an analytical tool. Given that communication processes are ingrained in culture, and culture itself being a social process, this course shall enable students to use a Cultural Studies lens to examine and engage critically with the meaningful yet often neglected relationship between culture and communication and other signifying practices. As a result, students in general will emerge as more informed and critical observer of the social world they live in.
Course Title Introduction to Animation
Course Code MSJ11456
Description
In this course students will learn about digital 2D animation. They will be given an overview of flipbook, stop motion and drawn animation but the course will focus on 2D computer animation. The basic principles of digital animation will be reviewed, including character development and story conception through production. Students will learn the technical language used in the animation industry and basic animation methods, including staging, timing, anticipation, squash and stretch, exaggeration and arcs. Common production techniques used in 2D will be covered. They will be finally expected to work on an individual and a group animation project.
Course Title 3D Animation: Drawing for Animation
Course Code MSJ11460
Description
This course focuses on the development of observational skills and drawing techniques. Students in this course will develop both technical abilities and creative responses to draw characters and back ground for animation. No prior experience with drawing is required or expected.
Course Title Internship or Project (Internship Portion)
Course Code MSJ 11498
Description
All students studying at the MSJ Department will undertake an internship in an area of media or communication that interests them. By their final semester of study, students are required to seek out a suitable organisation for an internship to appreciate and experience the dynamics of working in a real organisation. These may be unpaid or occasionally paid, depending on the employer. The duration of the internship is usually from 8 to 12 weeks. Students are expected to work the employer’s requested hours. This is to be negotiated between the host institution and the students.
Course Title Internship or Project (Portfolio portion)
Course Code MSJ 11499
Description
All students studying at the MSJ Department must create a portfolio over the course of their study. By their final semester of study, students are required to have a file that will showcase the key projects of certain courses that they had taken during their undergraduate study. PLOs 6,7 and 8 will be judged through the portfolio. These PLOs judge whether a student has developed enough communication skills in both English and Bengali, whether the student has demonstrated the ability to manipulate computer software programs and other IT-related equipment and whether the student has produced an acceptable body of work to join the media and communication industry.