Mass Communication: Lab description

2016-2017 SESSION

Journalism and Mass Communication lAB

A production-oriented course demands emphasis on lab and field work. Considering the requirement there are ten labs each, along with one minor project in first, second and third semesters. The labs in first semester will introduce the students to basics of feature/article writing. A spectrum of themes from wellness to community development will be picked up. Some communication models will be taken and replicated in te classroom/lab. Another fascinating inclusion needing to be intensively dealt with will be designing of electoral campaigns. Students will next design a tabloid getting hands-on experience in news writing and layout and design of newspapers. Case studies mapping trajectory of development of known media house will be taken. As a minor project, Cartoon strips will be developed on social issues and these will be guided by precedents in form of oeuvre of RK Laxman and other famous cartoonists of national and international repute. The second semester will have emphasis on the art, craft and technique of photography wherein different shooting exercises will be carried out with students. A printed or e-book of the students’ portfolio will be released with apt captions. Drafting brochures, magazines and press releases will be other important exercises. By this time, the students would have floated their blog (that may be turned into a website on maturity). For this, the university is ambitious to make provisions that will include hands-on training on Quark Xpress, Coral Draw, Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Next, a short documentary with some hard and soft news or with thematic cogency will be collectively produced by the students. For this, a provision for Mac editing system, DSLR camera and video camera has been made. The third semester aims to equip students to cover events related to science and technology. They should be able to report about new discoveries, inventions and breakthroughs in lucid terms for laymen and science enthusiasts. The students should be able to create popularity for science through their features and articles. Their reports should be able to convey the significance of science programmes and even natural occurrences in simple and accessible language that is reader friendly. Create a science magazine focusing on new discoveries, innovations and regulations related to scientific transactions. The minor project, now, will stress guiding students towards presenting a street theatre performance. Identifying suitable topic and issue and using theatre as a mode of communication and instrumental in behavioural change. The fourth semester will have a major project under the guidance of the supervisor to prepare a dissertation on any subject chosen which lies in the domain of communication and media. In this paper we have to come up with an outcome through research project building upon the lessons learnt in the communication research and methodology paper that would have already exposed them to the process of research. The lab facility may be used as and when required on availability. An attempt will be made to straddle the territories of both Hindi and English journalism.