- Introduction to the Course
Someone rightly remarked that information is power. Indeed so! In the immensely changed global socio-economic paradigm, the field of journalism has assumed the role of the eternal information broker, the one profession that feeds people the all-important data to be powerful. On a more practical note, journalism is that area under media studies that acts as the fourth estate of the democracy. With the unprecedented growth of Indian media, as noted in a recent FICCI Frames report, opportunities in journalism appear to be skyrocketing. In the given circumstances, the M.A. Programme in Journalism, offered by the prestigious Adamas University in Kolkata, inculcates among learners the right set of skills that are required to excel in the industry. With a decided multimedia focus, the programme has been devised to ensure the all-round development of aspiring journalists. With convergence being the latest buzzword in journalism, the learners of M.A. in Journalism are trained for all the different media platforms including but not limited to print media, television, radio and most importantly new media. While the learners are adequately oriented to the legacy media platforms, the focus is primarily on digital media. However, the USP of the programme is its focus on Mobile Journalism or MoJo, as it is popularly known. While teaching journalism, the programme makes a dedicated attempt at infusing the right ethical considerations among the learners, something that has been missing from the current crop of young journalists. The programme also emphasizes on making the learners understand the business and economic aspects of running a journalistic organization. With industry stalwarts and renowned academicians as faculty members, the platform-agnostic programme has the right ingredients to train future journalists – youngsters who can make the much-needed difference to the profession. People, who have the right social skills, are affirmatively extrovert, have the gift of the gab and have the innate nose for news would find this programme exhilarating and rewarding. Anyone who wants to be a part of the exponentially growing Indian media must enroll for this programme and see the difference in no time.
- What Are the Learning Outcomes?
- Learners will be able to comprehend media and communication as a distinct field of study.
- Learners will be able to become effective platform-agnostic communicators.
- Learners will be able to break new barriers in journalism.
- Learners will be able to understand journalism as a distinct part of media and communication studies.
- Learners will be able to gain knowledge about all the journalistic platforms including print media, television, radio and new media.
- Learners will be able to distinguish between good practices and bad practices in journalism.
- Learners will be able to get a good grasp over journalistic ethics, something which is primordial to the health of the overall profession and something which has been missing among the current crop of young journalists.
- Learners will develop a distinct nose for news, the primary skill required in any journalistic activity.
- Learners will be equipped to develop news sources of their own.
- Learners will be able to tell convergent platform-agnostic stories that make a telling difference to people’s lives.
- Subjects Covered:
The programme consists of a heady mix of diverse subjects that enhance the collective intellect of all the learners. The subjects include Communication Theories, Print Journalism, Radio Journalism, Television Journalism, Digital Journalism, Mobile Journalism, Media Research, Media Laws and Ethics, Media Business, Media Management, Computer Skills, Soft Skills, News Packaging and Production, Citizen Journalism, Political Reporting, Business Reporting, Science and Technology Reporting, Health Reporting, Defence Reporting, Environmental Reporting, Social Reporting, Development Reporting, Sports Reporting, Entertainment Reporting and Final Dissertation.
- Specializations:
Given the industry and global trends, we firmly believe that convergent multimedia journalism, which is platform-agnostic, is the way forward. The programme focuses on orienting the learners to all the modes and media of journalistic storytelling. Therefore, we have consciously chosen not to segregate the journalism learners on the basis of specializations and provide them a comprehensive knowledge dossier on contemporary journalism.
- Lab Infrastructure (If Applicable):
The School of Media, Communication & Fashion (SMCF) under Adamas University in Kolkata boasts of a state-of-the-art lab infrastructure that includes a modern News Room, an advanced Audio Recording facility, a Mac Lab for editing, high-end cameras and other equipment required for journalistic storytelling.
- Internships/ Project Work
Journalism is best learnt on the field. Thus, internships and live industry projects constitute a very important aspect of journalism education. Adamas University believes in orienting the learners to the demands of the industry and making them absolutely industry-ready. In a world that thrives on competition, this programme with a staple dose of internships and projects will instill the right set of skills among the learners. Not only will all the learners do compulsory internships as an integral part of their education here, they will also apply their knowledge in doing projects for the industry.
- Placement & Career Opportunities/ Research Opportunities
With the right sort of training, the learners of this programme will find it a cakewalk to find suitable placements after the completion of the course. The learners can find placements at Television News Channels, FM Radio Channels, News Portals, Newspapers, Magazines, News Agencies, Public Relations Firms and Agencies, Content Aggregating Farms, Content Writing Farms and Publicity Companies, Production Companies, Research Farms and the likes.
Additionally, Adamas University with its research focus will also orient learners for academics and research. Research projects and dissertations constitute an integral part of the educational structure here.
- Eligibility
An aspiring candidate has to be a graduate in any discipline from a UGC-recognized university. Additionally, an aspiring candidate needs to qualify in Adamas University Admission Test (AUAT) for PG.