About BSS in Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ)
Department of Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ)
Introduction
The Department of Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ) at United International University (UIU) offers a four-year undergraduate program covering the diverse fields of human communication, media studies and journalism. After completing BSS (Honours) in Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ) Program, the students will become suitable professionals by learning theoretical perspectives, practical know-hows, professional ethics and human values.
The human communication is an eclectic discipline which is always undergoing persistent transformation. The trend of revolution in the sector has been more visible for the technological innovations especially driven by the internet-based online communication. Such changes have created communication convergence demanding new knowledge, skills and professional competencies. Producing capable graduates for addressing the growing needs of media and communication industries in Bangladesh is critical in the present context. The academic programme has been designed in a manner which facilitates the media and communication sectors with the services of the proficient human resources.
Vision of the Department: Contributing to the construction of a knowledge-based information society with higher sense of human values through establishing a center of excellence in the fields of media, communication and journalism of international standard concentrating on academic learnings, research and professional skills.
Mission of the Department: The Department of Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ) under the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) will strive for creating a congenial and dynamic teaching, learning and working atmosphere for generating and disseminating knowledge in creative manner and thus serving the society being ethically driven to establish equal opportunities for all, promote freedom of expression and uphold high sense of human dignity.
Bachelor of Social Science (Honors) in Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ)
Objectives
The overall objective of the programme is to impart knowledge and develop skills required to prepare the graduates competent, empathetic, ethically driven and socially responsible professionals to contribute to the society for promoting humanity, peace and social justice through innovative knowledge, wisdom and professional skills in human communication media and journalism.
The specific objectives of the program include to:
- expedite the graduates conceptualize, analyze and acquire extensive knowledge of human communication, media and journalism;
- enable the students to become high-skilled and sensible media and communication professionals and responsible citizens of the country;
- enhance student’s ability in critical thinking, decision making and problem-solving in media, communication and journalism;
- cultivate managerial, entrepreneurial, and leadership skills in journalism and communication;
- facilitate experiential learning, research, training and advocacy in the diverse fields of human communication;
- develop a strong foundation in the areas of latest media and communication technologies especially in communication and media convergence driven by internet-based social media digital platforms;
- contribute to the societies’ positive transformation through advocacy for media literacy, social changes, good governance and sustainable developments;
Career Prospects
The students will be awarded the degree of the Bachelor of Social Science (BSS) in Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ). This program prepares the students for a wide variety of careers, including those in Journalism, Film-Video and TV production, Social and Digital Media productions, Public Relations and Corporate Communication, Advertising and CSR, Development Communication, Behavior Change Communication (BCC), Human Resources, Social and Digital Media campaign and management, in different government and non-government organizations, international agencies, and multinational corporations in Bangladesh and abroad. The academic, research and practical skills that we offer to prepare the graduates for career leadership positions in Journalism, Communication, Public Relations, trade and industry, consultancy, public policy and politics, diplomacy, research and teaching. The Department offers a number of market-oriented and demand-driven professional courses. The key courses taught in the department offer ample opportunities of career development:
| Name/Areas of the professional courses | Career windows/facilities |
| Television Reporting , Program Anchoring & TV Performance | TV reporter, news presenter, newsroom editor, TV broadcaster, producer, programmer, marketing & promotion officer |
| Online Journalism | Online journalists i.e. reporter, copy editor, page designer |
| Development Issues and Communication | Communication officer, liaison officer, advocacy officer, policy officer, strategic officer, research officer, training officers, behaviour change officers, community mobilizers/facilitators in national and international NGOs, donor agencies, UN system agencies, research, training and advocacy organizations |
| Public Relations & Corporate Communication | Public Relations Officer (PRO), media relations officer, outreach communication officer, customer care officer/relations officer of business houses/corporates, banks, insurance, export-import agencies, NGOs, Donors and Development organizations, Government offices like Ministries and various government offices/departments, Embassies, High commissions, foreign diplomat’s offices |
| Digital and Social Media Communication | Digital media marketing, online entrepreneur, outsourcing , webcaster |
| Mass Communication | Media managers, officers, entrepreneurs, promotion officers |
| Reporting for Media; Specialized Reporting | Reporters of TV, Radio, Newspaper, News magazine, Online Portals etc. |
| Photojournalism | Photojournalist, press photographer, independent professional photographers |
| Editing and Page Make-up | Sub-editor, copy editor, newsroom editor of Newspaper, News magazine, Online Portals, TV and Radio |
| Video /digital Production/animation | Video editor, animator, Videographer |
| Radio Journalism | Radio reporter, copy editor, broadcaster, RJ, programmer |
| Advertising & copywriting | Copywriter, Designer, Event Manager, Creative writer, Marketing/promotion officer, media manager |
| Communication research methodology | Media researcher, communication researcher, research associates of NGOs, Government organizations, research and consultancy firms etc. |
| Film Study | Film maker, documentary maker, short film producer which has a very wide market for freelance work with corporate and international organizations. |
| Editorial & Feature Writing | Feature writer, editorial; assistants, creative and analytical writer, freelance writers for different organization etc. |
Requirements for BSS in Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ)
Admission Requirements
Every applicant without any exception must fulfill the admission requirements as laid down by UIU. A Higher Secondary Certificate or its equivalent in Science, Arts, Business Studies or other fields of study is the basic educational requirement. Candidates having at least GPA of 2.50 in SSC and HSC or in equivalent degrees are eligible to apply for admission to the Bachelor of Social Science (BSS) in Media Studies and Journalism Program. Candidates who have passed at least 5 papers in GCE “O” Level (with Mathematics as one of the subjects) and two papers of “A” Level may also apply provided that they have obtained 2.5 points (weighted average) in both O & A level computed according to the following scale: A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2 and E=1.GED results will, however, not be accepted. Application will, however, be evaluated on the basis of the both previous academic achievements and university Admission Test scores. Admission Test will consist of a written examination on language, mathematics, general knowledge and analytical skills, followed by an interview conducted by the university.
Credit Requirements
To achieve a BSS degree in MSJ, a student has to complete 130 credits in total. There are four streams of courses in the proposed four-year BSS (Hons) in Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ) programme. The students need to complete all the required courses as per the syllabus. The summary of the course is given below:
| Course Type | Number of Credits |
| General Courses | 27 |
| Core Courses | |
| 1. Core Courses on Journalism | 31 |
| 2. Core Courses on Media Studies | 21 |
| 3. Courses on Communication | 15 |
| 4. Core Courses on Strategic Communication & Public Relations | 12 |
| 5. Other Core Courses | 09 |
| Core Optional Courses | 12 |
| Project/Internship | 3 |
| Total | 130 |
Degree Requirements
Each student must fulfill the following requirements for the completion of the BSS (Hons) program
- Completion of 130 credit hours
- Successful completion either of “Research Project/ Research Monograph” or “Internship/ Practicum”
- Passing of all courses individually and maintaining a minimum CGPA of 2.00 out of 4.00.
Course Details of MSJ
Total Semesters: 8 (2 in a year)
Total duration of the BSS (Hons) program is 4 (four) years. Semester system will be followed in this programme. There will be 2 (Two) semesters in a year of which each semester will be of 6 (six) months duration. There will be 28 classes in each of the courses and duration of each class will be 90 minutes. There would have extensive field works for the students in every semester for enhancing up the learning processes.
The schedule for one academic year will be as follows:
| Description | Semester | Duration |
| Semester-I | Spring | January – June |
| Semester-II | Fall | July-December |
Course Information
- General Courses (9 courses/27 credits)
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit |
| ENG 1011 | English I | 3 |
| CST 1001 | Computer Operation Skills | 3 |
| GED 3203 | Economics & Financial Institutions | 3 |
| ENG 1013 | English II | 3 |
| GED 2001 | Contemporary Affairs: Bangladesh & Global Perspectives | 3 |
| GED 2003 | Social and Political Institutions | 3 |
| GED 2005 | Bangla Language and Literature | 3 |
| URC 1001 | Soft Skills and Art of Presentation | 3 |
| BDS 1202 | History of the Emergence of Bangladesh | 3 |
- Core Courses
- Core Courses on Journalism (14 courses/31 credits)
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit |
| MSJ 1101 | Introduction to Journalism | 3 |
| MSJ 1102 | Information Gathering and Reporting | 3 |
| MSJ 4001 | Environment Journalism | 3 |
| MSJ 2105 | Graphic Journalism | 2 |
| MSJ 2106 | Graphic Journalism Lab | 1 |
| MSJ 2107 | Editing and Page Make-up | 2 |
| MSJ 2108 | Editing and Page Make-up Lab | 2 |
| MSJ 2109 | Specialized Reporting | 3 |
| MSJ 3110 | Radio Journalism & Podcasting | 3 |
| MSJ 3111 | Online and Multimedia Journalism | 2 |
| MSJ 3112 | Online and Multimedia Journalism Lab | 1 |
| MSJ 3113 | Photojournalism | 2 |
| MSJ 3114 | Photojournalism Lab | 1 |
| MSJ 4115 | Editorial and Feature Writing | 3 |
- Core Courses on Media Studies (09 courses/21 credits)
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit |
| MSJ 1201 | Digital Storytelling and Scriptwriting | 2 |
| MSJ 1202 | Digital Storytelling and Scriptwriting Lab | 1 |
| MSJ 2203 | Digital Content Production Lab | 3 |
| MSJ 2204 | Video Production Lab | 3 |
| MSJ 2205 | Media Laws and Ethics | 3 |
| MSJ 3205 | Motion Graphic and Video Composition Lab | 2 |
| MSJ 3206 | Camera and Cinematography Lab | 2 |
| MSJ 4207 | Media, Culture and Society | 3 |
| MSJ 1104 | Media and Communication Technology | 2 |
- Core Courses on Communication (6 courses/15 credits)
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit |
| MSJ 1401 | Introduction to Human Communication | 3 |
| MSJ 1402 | Interpersonal, Group and Organizational Communication | 3 |
| MSJ 1403 | Social and Digital Media Communication | 2 |
| MSJ 1404 | Social and Digital Media Communication Lab | 1 |
| MSJ 2405 | Mass Communication Process | 3 |
| MSJ 4407 | Theories of Communication | 3 |
- Core Courses on Strategic Communication and Public Relations (5 courses/12 credits)
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit |
| MSJ 3301 | Advertising and Content Creation | 3 |
| MSJ 3302 | Corporate Communication, CSR and Public Relations | 3 |
| MSJ 4303 | Digital Marketing | 2 |
| MSJ 4304 | Digital Marketing Lab | 1 |
| MSJ 3406 | Development Communication and Strategic Planning | 3 |
- Other Core Courses (3 courses/09 credits)
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit |
| MSJ 1502 | Media Language | 3 |
| MSJ 3503 | Communication Research Methodology | 3 |
| MSJ 3504 | Statistics for Communication Research | 3 |
- Core Optional Courses (4 courses/12 credits)
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit |
| MSJ 2001/ MSJ 2002 | Business Analysis and Reporting or, Media Industry and Business Planning | 3 |
| MSJ 2003/ MSJ 2004 | Gamification in Journalism or Animation in Journalism | 3 |
| MSJ 3005/ MSJ 3006 | Film Theory and Language or Cinema and Cultural Industry | 3 |
| MSJ 4007/ MSJ 4008 | Television Journalism and News Presentation or, News Casting and Program Anchoring | 3 |
- Internship/Project
Project/Internship 01 Course/03 Credits
| MSJ 4009 | Internship/Project: Report Submission and Viva Voce | 3 |
