Department of Mass Communication and Journalism

Approved Syllabi for Ph.D Programme

AC.21/2013/2/2.1.3

Course Code: Course Title

MC711 Communication Theories

MC712 Journalism Studies

MC713 Specialized and Analytical Journalism

MC714 Research Methodology

 DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION & JOURNALISM

TEZPUR UNIVERSITY

Proposed Syllabus for Ph D Course Work in

Mass Communication and Journalism

2013

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES:

1. To acquaint students with the theory and practice of Mass Media and
Communication specially aimed at Ph D level research study,
2. To impart training to the students in different aspects of guided research in general
with particular emphasis upon communication and media studies,

CORE COURSES :

Course Type
Code Course Title L T P CH CR

Research Methodology Core

MC714
4 0 0 4 4

Communication Theory Core

MC711
4 0 0 4 4

Total Credits 08
 ELECTIVE COURSES

(In respective fields of specialization to be prepared and decided by respective Supervisors

concerned)

Course Title Type

Course
Code L T P CH CR

Elective
MC712
Journalism Studies 3 1 0 4 4

DO

MC713
Specialized & Analytical
Journalism 3 1 0 4 4

08

Total Credits
 MC711 Communication Theory

L 02 T 01 P 0 : 04 Credits

The course aims at introducing the students with various theoretical formulations for
communication both as a philosophy and as a practical discipline. The course will also
inform the expanding horizon of communication including mass communication media and
its important role in development.

Unit I : Communication philosophy, meaning, process, functions, feedback, channels, various

models of communication convergence, Theories of communication, theories,

Unit II : Development Communication, Communication for development, forms and media

of communication - Print, Electronic, New Media, Development of knowledge society, new
media and information revolution, Media Literacy

Unit III : Contemporary issues in communication hegemony of communication at

international, national levels, cross ownership of media, growing conglomerization of media
across the globe, Media and Culture, Media and popular movements,

Unit IV : Communication Research recent trends, analysis of a few major research studies
in this discipline,

Textbooks :

i) McQuail, D. (2010). McQuails Mass Communication Theory, Sage

 ii) Stevenson, N. (2002). Understanding Media Cultures: Social Theory and Mass
Communication. Sage,

Reference books :

i) Severin, WJ. (2000) Communication Theories: Origins, Methods and Uses in the
Mass Media. Pearson
ii) Perry, DK. (2008). Theory and Research in Mass Communication : Contexts and
Consequences. Taylor and Francis,
 MC712: Journalism Studies:

04 Credits (L 3, T
1)

This course aims at familiarizing the students in the field of Journalism who would
like to carry out their research work in this field. The course would refresh the students with
the basic concepts and skills of Journalism with a new emphasis on research-oriented study.

Unit I : Journalism concept, Definition, Origin and growth of journalism, Types of journalism,
Various journalistic writing styles, Characteristics, Journalism as a source for research studies,

Unit II : News value, Continuity and Change, Developing and cultivating sources, Critical
Understanding, Exclusive news items, Concept of Editing, Gate Keeping, Coordination
between Editing and Reporting, Readers Editor / Ombudsman,

Unit III : Journalism for Development, Participatory Journalism, Community Journalism,

Dynamics of Journalism as a social media, Journalism for empowerment,

Unit IV : Two assignments to be carried out in consultation with faculty member

Reference books :

Schwartz, J. (2001). Associate Press Reporting Handbook.

Raman, U. (2009). Writing for the Media. Oxford University Press.

Stovel, J. (2006). Writing for Mass Media, 6th Edition. Allyn and Bacon.
 MC713: Specialized & Analytical Journalism

04 Credits (L 3, T
1)

This course aims at giving a comprehensive idea about Specialized Journalism and
Analytical Journalism with an emphasis on research-oriented goals. It would help them
develop skills in these two fields while preparing them for their respective research studies.

Unit I : Specialized Journalism concept, definition, scenario in India, Basic skills, linking
local issues with global issue, Different approaches in specialized reporting,

Unit II : Identifying issues of local, regional, national, global importance, Exercises in

Specialized Reporting and Editing skills, Broad ideas about fields of specialized reporting
politics, law and order, environment, gender, children, development, international affairs,
rural affairs,

Unit III : Analytical Journalism - concept, definition, Required skills, Different approaches in
analytical journalism, political and cultural readings into opinion-based columns

Unit IV : Two assignments to be carried out in consultation with faculty member

Reference Books :

Huges, R. (1990). Nothing If Not Critical : Selected Essays on Art and Artists. New York :
Alfred A. Knopf.
Vaitilingham, R. (2001). The Financial Times Guide to Using the Financial pages (4th Edition).
Prentice Hall, London.

World Bank Institute. (2002). The Right to Tell : The Role of Mass Media in Economic
Development. Washington D.C., World Bank Institute.

Fuller, D & Waugh, P. (1999). The Arts and Sciences of Criticism. Oxford University Press.
 MC714 Research Methodology

L 02 T 01 P 01 : 04 Credits

The course will aim at introducing the students with the philosophy of research in mass
communication and media studies, imparting knowledge of methodology and methods of
data collection and other concerned subjects associated with the discipline.

Unit I : Meaning and characteristics of scientific research, philosophy of research, research

proposal preparation, types of research qualitative, quantitative, empirical, descriptive. Case
studies, ethical issues in research,

Unit II : Research design, Identifying and formulating a problem or a hypothesis, ways of

testing a hypothesis and raising research questions, literature review, research design, data
collection methods primary data and secondary data, preparation of a good questionnaire
and adopting questionnaire methods, schedules, focus group discussions, field observation,

Unit III : Computer applications in research, introduction to SPSS software and familiarization
with various plagiarism software,

Unit IV : Presentation of a seminar

Textbooks :

i) Jensen, Klaus Bruhn. (2002). A Handbook of Media and Communication Research

Qualitative and Quantitative Methods. Routledge.
ii) Wimmer & Dominick. (2011). Mass Media Research : An Introduction, 10 th edition.
Boston, Wadsworth.
iii) Hansen, A & Cottle, S & Newbald, C. (1998). Mass Communication Research Methods.
New York University Press.

Reference books :

i) Reinard, JC. (2006) Communication Research Statistics. California State University, Sage.

ii) Fink, A & Kos, JB. (2005). How to Conduct Surveys, A Step by Step Guide. 3rd edition,
University of California, Sage. ,
Berger, AA. (2011). Media and Communication Research Methods: An Introduction
to Qualitative and Quantitative