Introduction

The media industry’s growth especially driven by technological advances coupled with acceleration given to people’s participation in governance process has fuelled the urgency to develop a human resource in the form of communication and media practitioners who can bring more thought and societal orientation to demonstration of skill and technique. The Department of Journalism and Media Studies Department, University of Jammu is dedicated to providing comprehensive education and training in the field of Journalism and Mass Communication. Established in 2022, the department aims to meet the growing demand for skilled media professionals. The department offers a postgraduate program, which are designed to equip students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in areas such as news reporting, media production, digital journalism, and communication research. Such study programmes are required which can build theoretical insight and scholarship about core subjects and simultaneously encourage an intuitive understanding of critical global and local issues. Various communication professions rely on the “cultural values and epistemology” as well as the technical skills, the knowledge and aesthetic sensibility of their practitioners. Communication training, thus, requires more than technical knowledge and skills in its practitioners. Those who practice the profession need an “internally organized body of knowledge” which reflects a clear understanding of their society and culture and a personal repertorie of intellectual and imaginative skills. The department has a faculty of experienced academicians and industry professionals who bring valuable insights into the classroom. Students have access to modern facilities, including state-of-the-art studios, computer labs, and media equipment, ensuring they receive hands-on training that aligns with current industry standards.  In addition to academic courses, the department emphasizes extracurricular activities and industry interactions. Workshops, seminars, guest lectures, and internships are integral components of the curriculum, providing students with opportunities to engage with media practitioners and gain real-world experience. The department undertakes many activities, like publishing the quarterly newsletter JU Post in four major languages of the region, viz English, Hindi, Dogri and Urdu to ensure practical knowledge of the students. The students also actively participate in maintaining and running community radio programmes of the University of Jammu. The Department is committed to promoting a dynamic learning environment that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and ethical practices in journalism. Through its program, the department aims to produce competent and responsible media professionals who can contribute positively to the media landscape.

Objectives

The Post-graduate Programme in Media Studies is designed to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and specialized skills to be effective communicators in today’s fast – paced and dynamic media environment. To that end, the course is structured to provide an in-depth understanding of issues that affect media and society, as well as a broad brush acquaintance with current practices of journalism. Keeping these overarching objectives in mind, the course has been designed in a fashion which aims at standardization across all the four Main Teaching Programmes and papers in terms of the credit system.

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES

Programme outcomes for a journalism and mass communication program typically encompass a range of skills and knowledge that prepare students for careers in media, communication, journalism, public relations, and related fields.

PO1-Critical Thinking and Analysis: The student is trained to demonstrate the ability to critically analyze media content, identify biases, evaluate sources, and assess the credibility of information.

PO2-Effective Communication: The student is enabled to be proficient in written, verbal, and visual communication, capable of conveying information accurately and compellingly across various media platforms.

PO3-Media Production Skills: The student is provided hands-on experience with various media production tools and techniques, including writing, editing, photography, videography, audio production, and graphic design.

PO4-Media Literacy: The student is trained to possess a deep understanding of the role of media in society, including its influence on culture, politics, economics, and social issues.

PO5-Ethical and Legal Considerations: The student is familiar with ethical principles and legal regulations governing journalism and media practices, including issues related to privacy, accuracy, fairness, and defamation.

PO6-Research Skills: The student is enabled to conduct comprehensive research using both traditional and digital methods, gather data, analyze findings and present results effectively.

PO7-Audience Engagement: The student is trained to understand audience behavior and preferences, and be able to engage and interact with diverse audiences through compelling storytelling and strategic communication strategies.

PO8-Media Management and Entrepreneurship: The student acquires knowledge of media management principles, including budgeting, marketing, audience development, and business models.

PO9-Beat Reporting: The student is trained in basic concepts of journalism and reporting on different beats.

PO10-Designing and Layout: The student is trained in the design, layout and production of newspaper both theoretically as well as practically through the Quarterly ‘JU Post’ published by the department.

PO11- Digital Media: The student is well acquainted with the intricacies of Digital Journalism to conform to the changing media landscape.

PO12- Public Relations and Advertisement: The student is trained with the concepts of Public Relations and Advertisement.

PO13- Proof Reading and Editing:  The student is trained in the techniques for identifying and correcting errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and syntax. Additionally, student may learn how to improve clarity, coherence, and conciseness in written content.

PO14- Employability: Features like practical, visits to media houses; educational tours, hands-on-training and internship are embedded within the program to ensure job readiness ad good placement opportunities for the students.

PO15- Field Knowledge: Regular interactions with renowned experts from the field enable the students to acquire knowledge about the field in journalism.

Evaluation Plan

In terms of evaluation, the Course is designed keeping in mind the professional and pragmatic nature of the course. In the first three semesters, practical are integrated in the mode of evaluation to judge if the students have imbibed the pragmatic aspects of the theoretical courses. In the fourth semester, the practical evaluation is in the form of internship. Mandatory dissertation in the fourth semester ensures that the students develop a critical acumen along with their practical field work. It at once equips the students with investigative tools, essential for any journalist as well as research mindset for those who want to pursue a higher degree. Thus evaluation is concurrent, as well as terminal, avoiding the pitfalls of awarding a grade only at the end of the semester examination. Concurrent evaluation is done continuously, based on assignments, individual and group projects, as well as term papers, terminal evaluation consists of end of semester examination.

Internship

A month long internship with a media or communication agency, institution, media unit of a public sector undertaking and in the NGO sector will be taken by the by the students, which will be assessed and evaluated.