Master of Arts [MA] (Mass Communication) Syllabus, Course Structure and Program Schedule 2024-2025

Course Structure

The curriculum for MA in Mass Communication comprises of some core papers and some electives. Core papers address subjects which offer fundamental knowledge in the field of mass communication while electives focus more on specialized knowledge and skills.

MA Mass Communication Colleges	MA Mass Communication Scope	BJMC Syllabus	MA Mass Communication and Journalism

As part of the course, students also have to fulfill a summer internship at the end of second semester with companies catering to mass media needs such as news agencies, media houses, TV channels, publishing houses etc. Students can choose to intern in any specific filed related to mass communication such as sound editing, film production, audio-video editing etc.

The course structure can best be summed as in the figure below:

First Year Core Courses
Sumer Internship
Second Year, Core Courses, Electives

Course Delivery Methods include classroom lectures, seminars, group and solo presentations, assignments, film screening, practical etc.

At the end of the program, every student has to submit a dissertation or project report in any relevant area of mass communication.

Scheme of Assessment

The final assessment for MA in Mass Communication is based on performance in a theory examination which is held at the end of each semester and marks scored in Internal Assessment. The table given below illustrates the weightage given to various assessment criteria.

Type of Assessment	Weightage
Theory Paper	70
Internal Assessment	30
Practical	100
Dissertation	100

Syllabus

The syllabus for MA Mass Communication may be a little different for various universities but the core structure of the courses remains same. Here we have prepared an overview of the syllabus for MA in Mass Communication.

Name of Paper	Topics	Description
Principles of Mass Communication	Nature and Process of human communication Functions of communication Verbal and non-verbal communication Communication Models Nature and Process of Mass Communication Media systems and Theories Issues of Media monopoly Ownership patterns of mass media Media and Social Responsibility	This paper focuses on the basic concepts and principles of mass communication. It is an introductory paper for mass communication students.
Development of Media	Print Language and Society Early communications system in India Newspapers and magazines in the 19^th century in India Birth of the Indian Language Press The Indian Press and Freedom Movement Journalism in Indian Languages The press in India after Independence Social Issues Radio Development of Radio as a medium of Mass Communication Emergence of AIR Commercial broadcasting FM Television Development of Television as a medium of Mass Communication Historical Perspective of Television in India Satellite and Cable television in India Films Early efforts Film as a Mass medium Historical Development of Indian Films Silent era Indian Cinema after independence Parallel Cinema/Commercial cinema Documentaries Issues and Problems of Indian Cinema Folk Media Traditional Media in India Regional Diversity Content, Form, Utility, Evaluation, Future New Media Development of New Media Convergence Internet	The present form of mass media is due to a continuous evolution process. In this paper students learn about the various evolutionary phases of media channels.
Print Media	Reporting News Interviewing Interpretative Reporting Investigative Reporting Political Reporting Legislative Reporting Diplomatic Reporting Scoops and Specialized Reporting Editing Meaning and purpose Proof Reading News Desk, editorial department set-up, news flow, copy management and organization Headlines Magazine Editing, Layouts, Graphics	Print media is one of the erstwhile methods of mass communication in India and world. This course focuses on the two most important factors of print media/journalism – Reporting and Editing.
Electronic Media	Evolution and Growth of Electronic Media Technology and skills of Linear and Non-linear systems of audio-visual communication Infrastructure, content and flows on internet	Electronic media is one of the strongest influencers in the field of mass media. In this paper students are introduced to the various aspects of Electronic media.
Advertising	Evolution and Growth of Advertising Ad Agency Management Client related issues and process Mass Media Laws concerning advertising Advertising tools and practices Consumer behavior Consumer in economic theories Models of Consumer behavior Brand Management Defining creativity Process of Motivation and theories of motivation Media Characteristics Advertising research	Advertising is a crucial form of mass communication and in this paper students learn about the growth, management, and defining elements of advertising.
Development Communication	Meaning, concept and models of Development Development Communication Agricultural communication and rural development Development support communication Developmental and rural extension agencies Writing Development message for rural audience	In recent years there has been a huge demand for development and rural society centric approaches in various walks of life. This course addresses that requirement in the field of mass communication.
Communication Research	Definition Elements of Research Scientific approach to Research Research and Communication theories Research Design Components Methods of Communication Research Tools of Data Collection Media Research Report Writing, Data Analysis Technique, Coding and tabulation Media Research as a tool of reporting	Research forms an important part of this discipline. In this course a student learns the various specifics of communication research.
Media Laws and Ethics	Media Law Constitution of India Specified Press Laws History of Press Laws in India Contempt of Courts Act 1971 Civil and Criminal Law of Defamation Relevant Provisions of Indian Penal Code Press and Registration of Books Act 1867 Working Journalists and Other Newspaper Employees Act, 1955 Cinematograph Act 1953 Prasar Bharti Act WTO Agreement and Intellectual Property Right Legislations Ethics Media’s ethical problems including privacy Right to Reply Communal Writing and Sensational and Yellow Journalism Press Council of India and its broad guidelines for the press Codes suggested for the press by Press Council and Press Commissions and other national and international organizations Codes for Radio, Television, Advertising and Public Relation Accountability and Independence of Media	While fundamental knowledge of mass media and communication is important, it is also important to possess a knowledge of laws and ethics related to media and related practices.
International Communications	Political, Economic and cultural dimensions of International Communications International News Flow International, regional and internal disparities Communication as a Human Right Impact of new communication technology on News flow Issues in International communication	International communication is an important part of all media related activities. This course focuses on the practice of International Communication from all angles.
Media Management	Principles of Media Management and their Significance Ownership patterns of mass media in India Hierarchy, Functions and Organizational structure of different departments Economics of print and electronic media Planning and execution of Programme production Foreign equity in Indian media	This course aims at giving an insight into the various practices for media management and the economic aspects of media in India.
Radio	Radio Journalism and Production Radio program production process and techniques Aspects of Sound Recording Radio Feature Production Radio documentary production News production Using sound bytes and actualities Studio production of radio newsreel and current affairs program Formats of radio programs Writing for radio Spoken language writing Writing for programs Writing for radio commercials Illustrating copy with sound effects Structuring radio copy Writing headlines, teasers and promos Radio Reporting Field reporting, reporting specialized areas, investigative reporting Voice dispatches Interview Techniques Presentation Structuring a radio report News capsuling and radio commentary Voice training Moderating techniques for radio discussion programs	This course focuses exclusively on the various aspects of radio as a medium of mass communication and radio journalism.
Television Journalism and Production	Visual Communication Basic of TV Production Studio Lighting Video Editing Techniques Writing for Television TV news writing Writing for television programs Television reporting Television news editing Television anchoring	In this paper students learn the fundamentals of Television journalism and methods of production.
Public Relation and Corporate Communication	Evolution and history of Public Relations Symmetrical and asymmetrical theories of PR Interface of PR with various management disciplines Writing for PR Writing for Media Strategic Public Relation /Corporate Communication and Management Defining stakeholders and media selection Building a distinct corporate identity Media Relations	This course focuses on the channels of Public Relation and Corporate Communication and their importance in brand management.
New Media Applications	Communication Technology : Concept and Scope Communication Technology and Information Technology Internet Optical Fiber Web page development Introduction to HTTP, HTML, ELP, DNS, JAVA Cyber Journalism	In recent years Internet has emerged as a mass communication channel. In this paper the various aspect of communication through internet is discussed.
Inter-cultural Communications	Culture – definition, process, value systems, eastern and western perspectives Inter-cultural communications – definition, process, philosophical and functional dimensions Perception of the world – Western and Greek, varied eastern concepts, retention of information, comparison between eastern and western concepts Communication as a concept in Eastern and Western cultures Language and Grammar as a medium of cultural communication Modern mass media as vehicles of inter-cultural communication Culture, communication and Folk Media	Certain communication channels are directly affected by the culture of a region. So when talking about mass communication, it is important to address inter-cultural communication.