Syllabus - Mass Communication

University of Delhi

BA (Prog.) III year

Syllabus - Mass Communication

Course Objective:

1 To enable the students to understand the concept, scope and significance of mass communication and its techniques.
2 To familiarize undergraduate students with media studies by affording them an exposure to contemporary media and to provide an opportunity to them to pursue their areas of interest.

Expected Learning Outcome:
1 The course content will include a survey of media as well as practical application of mass communication. Thus equipped the students may pursue a career in contemporary media or be motivated to pursue further studies in their area /areas of interest

Evaluation:
Theory Paper = 50 marks (Annual Examination 2 1/2hrs)
Practical application assignments = 25 marks (May be evaluated at year end)
Internal Assignments = 10 marks
Half yearly examination = 10 marks
Attendance = 5 marks
Total Marks 100 marks
No of Periods per week 4

COURSE CONTENT

1 Introduction: Mass Communication & Society.
Mass Communication :- Meaning & Purpose/ Scope & Relevance to Society, Role of
mass communication in developing societies—social changes, democracy and developmental journalism
Practical application ;- In depth perusal of issue followed by writing skills for
Developmental Stories. For example-- rural issues, tribal issues, environmental
issues, health and family planning, child immunization, new agricultural practices etc

2 Modes of Mass Communication :
A Print Media : Newspapers, news - agencies, books, magazines, leaflets and pamphlets.
B Electronic Media : Radio, television, video, films computer based technologies – e-mail, internet and on line Journalism.
C Outdoor Mass Media : Exhibitions and Fairs, Street Drama, Crowd Behaviour and Mob Mentality.
D Advertising
Note-- Selection of Modes of Mass Communication on the basis of suitability, reach, impact, frequency and cost.

3 Language of Mass Communication :Language and writing skills – vocabulary and spellings, figure of speech, dialect, grammar, punctuation.
Fundamentals of good writing

4 Writing for Media:
A Newspaper :News Reporting – what is news, news value, sources of news, types of news reporting. Principles of writing news stories, articles, opinion and editorial writing for different Print Media
Editing: Techniques of Editing, News Room organization and operation.
Reporting:  Qualities and responsibilities of a new reporter
B Radio: Radio News/Programme Writing and editing Radio scripts.
C Television: News/Programme, TV anchoring, techniques of holding interviews, group
discussions and making presentations, preparation of scripts for selected television programmes.
Practical application—A -- Interviews, features as a communication tool,
investigative and interpretive reporting, editorials and middles etc.
In- house production of newspaper or magazine and cartoon making
                                         B -- Interviewing for Radio and News Reading
                                         C -- Video Production and digital technology
Note—Any one of the above

5 Advertising
Meaning and definition of Advertising.
Distinction between Advertising & Publicity.
Advertisement Media – Print, electronic and others and their effectiveness.
Impact – a tool for Socio-economic and cultural revolution.
The Ethical Dimensions of Advertising -- manipulation, distortion, confusion and exploitation.
Practical Application—Making (could be computer-aided) Story Boards for audio-visual advertising and caption writing etc


6. Cyber Media :
Challenges and opportunities of convergence of mass communication and information technology.
News portals and related websites
Practical Application Designing/updating a websiteMeaning and definition of Advertising.
Distinction between Advertising & Publicity
Advertisement Media – Print, electronic and others and their effectiveness.
Impact – a tool for Socio-economic and cultural  revolution.
The Ethical Dimensions of Advertising -- manipulation, distortion, confusion and exploitation.
Practical Application—Making (could be computer-aided) Story Boards for audio-visual advertising and caption writing etc

7. Mass communication of conflict situations like riots, insurgency, terrorism, war and natural disasters .

8. Media Ethics and Press Laws
Media Ethics---Investigative journalism, the issue of responsibility of the Press, the accountability of Journalists and Publishers ,
Constitution and Press Laws and the issue of the Freedom of the Press
and its control –Law of Libel and Defamation , Contempt of Court and breach of Legislative Privileges, the Right to Information, the Broadcasting Bill..
Self Regulation -- the Press Council of India.

Practical Application --Selected Case Studies of curbs on the Press and struggle for Press Freedom
Note for Evaluation: Students are required to submit any three of the aforesaid practical application
assignments during the academic year for evaluation. Evaluation of the aforesaid assignments may be done at the year end.

Suggested Reading Books :
Introduction
1 Communication for Development in the Third World; Theory and Practice for
Empowerment—Srinivas, R Melkote, HLeslie, Steevans Sage Publications
2 Mass Communication in India, Kewel J.Kumar, Jaico, 2001
3 Developing Communication Skills -- Krishna Mohan and, Meera Banerji
4 Mass Media in National Development by Schramm, Wilbur.
5 Communication & Integrated rural development by J.S.Yadav.( IMC)
6 A Manual of Development Journalism by Alan Chalkely ( Press Institute Of India.
7 Communication & Social Development in India- Kappuswami. Writing for the Media
8 The craft of copywriting ; June .A. Vailadaras, Response Books Sage, Publications
9 Here is the News—Reporting for Media, Rangaswami Parthasarthy, Sterling, Publications,1994
10 News Reporting and Editing; Sterling Publishers,1987
11 News Writing & Reporting for Today’s Media by Bruce D.Itule & Douglas A.Anderson.
12 A Handbook of Modern Newspaper Editing & Production; F W Hodgson; Focal Press 1987
13 The Radio Handbook, Carole Fleming, Routledge 2002
14 AIR Style Book, New Delhi, 1991
15 Television in India; Changes and Challenges; Gopal Saxena. Vikas Publishing, 1996
16 Television and social change in rural India; Kirk Johnson, Sage Publications.
17 Before the Headlines—A Handbook of TV Journalism, CP Singh, Macmillan, 1999
18 Broadcasting and the People; Mehra Masani ( National Book Trust)
19 Magazine Editing & Production by J. William Cleck & Russell N.Bard WCB Brown & Benchmark – 1994.

Advertising
20 Advertising : Theory & Practice by CH Sandage & Vernon, Fry Eurger.
21 Advertising by Maurice Mandell. (PrenticeHall)
22 Image Journeys;- Audio Visual Media and Cultural Change in India;-
Christine Brosius & Melissa Butcher, Sage Publications;

Cyber Media
23 Journalism in the 21st Century; Online Information, Electronic Databases and the News—Tom Koth, Adamantive Press Ltd
24. Introduction to Information Technology; Turban, Rainer, Potter, John Wiley Publications 2001
25 Online Journalism, Jim Hall, Pluto, 2001
26 Web Production (11 Edition) Jason Whitmaker, Routledge,2001

Mass Communication of Conflict
27 Reference Reporting in India; The communication gap; VC Natrajan and AK
Chakraborty; Trishul publications 1995
28 The Kargil Conflict and the Role of the Indian Media ;Ajai K Rai, (Institute of Defence Studies and analyses)

Media Ethics and Press Laws
29 The Press -- M.Chalapati Rao ( National Book Trust)
30 Press Laws- D.D. Basu ( Prentice Hall )

Question Papers

University Of Delhi

B.A.   (Prog.) III Year

Mass Communication

2007 PART-1 Q1. Discuss any 4 of the following in detail:                                                8*4 1) Define mass communications. Discuss this in the context of a country like India. 2) What are the different modes of communications? Explain the importance of any one of the modes of mass communication in the context of developing countries. 3) Do the media reduce or increase problems in disaster situations. Give reasons. 4) What are the requirements of a good report? Differentiate b/w various types of reports with suitable examples. 4) Explain, with examples, the skills required by a good television anchor? 6) To what extent is it true to say that advertising can be an effective tool for social and cultural revolution? 7) Discuss with reference to any current news: ethical problems of defamation, libel and slander by media.                                                     PART-2 Q2.Comment on any 2 of the following:                                                        4,4 1)The difference b/w advertising and publicity 2)Qualities of crime or investigative reporting 3)Subliminal messages in advertising 4)FM or AM radio 5)Television interviews                                                     PART-3 Q3.(I) Comment on any 1 of the following in 250 words:                                     6 1) Eve teasing 2)Pollution 3)Female foeticide 4)Domestic violence (II) Capitalise and punctuate the following: A handful of students of the Indian institute of management skip the placement process every year to chase a dream that of starting their own ventures. The IIM-A feels this spirit of entrepreneurship should be encouraged and protected. University Of Delhi B.A.   (Prog.) III Year Mass Communication 2008 PART-1 Q1.Answer any 4 of the following in detail:                                                    8*4 1) Mass communication plays a revolutionary role in bringing about social change. Discuss the different modes of mass communication in the light of the above statement. 2) The computer is an important tool of mass communication. Do you agree? Discuss the various computer-based technologies used in mass communication. 3) Powerful editorials play a crucial role in influencing public opinion. Based on the principles of editorial writing for a newspaper, discuss the above statement. 4) Define group discussion. What are the differences b/w a group discussion for radio and T.V? 5) Define advertising and discuss the differences b/w advertisement and publicity. 6) Discuss the role of media during incidents of terrorism and floods. 7) Based on the laws of defamation, discuss the responsibilities and accountability of the press.                                                PART-2 Q2.Write short notes in about 150 words on any 2 of the following: 1)Developmental journalism 2)Mob mentality 3)Relation b/w grammar and mass communication 4)scriptwriting for radio 5) Organisation of a news room.                                                    PART-3 Q3.(I)Write an article in about 250 words on any one of the following:                  6 1) Child immunisation 2) Literacy programmes in India 3) Increasing migration towards cities 4) Effects of junk food 5) Increasing water crises (II)Correct the errors in the following passage: Taslima asked, is keeping quiet against wrongs committed by extremists the only way to prove that one is secular. I have paid a heavy price for speaking out against extremism and don't know why instead of supporting me these extremists are being given strength. I knew a secular India but am unaware of the India that keeps quiet in the face of extremist wrongs. University Of Delhi B.A.   (Prog.) III Year Mass Communication 2009 PART-1 Q1.Discuss any 4 of the following in detail:                                                 8*4 1)      Define 'mass communication" and explain its importance in the context of globalisation. 2)      What is the role and importance of standardisation of language in mass communication? Discuss with examples. 3)      "A reporter is the caretaker of society". Discuss the role of a reporter in the light of this sentence. 4)      Define 'advertising' and discuss its impact on society. 5)      What is cyber media? Analyse its impact in era of information revolution. 6)      Discuss the positive and negative roles of media in situations of riots and earthquakes. 7)      What is meant by investigative journalism? What should the reporter keep in mind while conducting his/her investigation? 8)                                                          PART-2 Q2.Write short notes in about 150 words on any 2 of the following:                  4*2 1) Role of mass communication in social change 2) Various modes of outdoor mass media 3) Different sources of news 4) Difference b/w print and electronic media 5) Importance of press laws                                                   PART-3 Q3.(I)Write an article in about 250 words on any 1 of the following:                 6 1) Increasing farmer suicides in India 2) Uma khurana case 3) Ruining of tribal culture 4) State of family planning programmes in India 5) Child labour (II)Correct the errors in the following passage: is national interest more important than the environment the Delhi high court posed this question to the central and the Delhi governments, stating that one needed to be aware of the environmental effects of the construction taking place on the banks of the Yamuna in the name of national interest Justice Geeta Mittal also wanted to know whether these activities encroached upon the basic rights of citizens as well as the Delhi Master Plan 2021. University Of Delhi B.A.   (Prog.) III Year Mass Communication 2010 PART-1 Q1.Answer any 4 of the following in detail.                                                     8*4 1)      What are the different modes of mass communication? Analyse the language used in print or television news. 2)      Discuss the potential of internet journalism in the light of the increasing use of computer technologies in mass communication. 3)      What are the preparations that an interviewer needs to undertake before preparing for an interview? Discuss the difference b/w an interview for T.V. and news papers. 4)      What do you understand by news? Discuss the various techniques of news writing. 5)      Discuss the techniques of editorial writing with specific references to writing an editorial for the print media. 6) Define advertising and analyse the influences that advertisement can have on society. 7) Comment in detail on freedom of the press.                                                   PART-2 Q2.Write short notes on any 2 of the following in not more than 150 words.       2*4 1)The difference b/w Editorial and feature writing 2)Press council 3)Review of your favourite film 4)Blog writing                                                   PART-3 Q3.(I) Write an article in about 250 words on any 1 of the following:                  6 1)Economic slowdown 2)SARVA SHIKSHA ABHIYAN 3)Problem of rural women 4)Terrorism (II)Correct the errors in the following passage.                                                       4 A number of former cricketers believe that ex-captain Rahul Dravid who has been going through a bad patch needs support to regain his lost self-confidence. A member of the 1983 World Cup winning cricket team Kirti Azad former asia cup hero surinder khanna and former wicket-keeper Saba Karim said on wednesday Dravid is a great batsman.he is definitelygoing through a rough patch. And this is when he needs our support the most in order that he can gain score runs for the country all the three cricketers rejected the suggestion of former chairman of selections Dilip Vengsarkar who had sugggested that Dravid be rested for a few matches. University Of Delhi B.A.   (Prog.) III Year Mass Communication 2011 PART-1 Q1.Attempt any 4 questions from this part:                                                       8*4 1)      To what extent do you think that the press is "the guardian of democracy and the protector of public interest?" Illustrate your answer with suitable examples.       2)   Which mode of mass communication is most effective and which is least effective in a    culturally,socially and linguistically diverse society like India? Give reasons with suitable examples in support of your answer. 3)      Advertising is responsible for the growth of a country's economy. Comment on this statement with examples. 4)      What are the main differences b/w a reprt,feature and an editorial? Discuss with suitable examples. 5)      Cyber media is still marginal in significance of a developing country like India.Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. 6)      Using Mumbai terror attacks of 26th Nov 2008 as example, comment on the role of the media. Did the media act responsibly or was unethical in its treatment of the event? 7)      Discuss the responsibilities of the press with special reference to the laws of defamation and libel.                                                   PART-2 Q2.Write short notes on any 2 of the following: 1) Sensationalism in news coverage 2) Headlines 3) Off the record and on the record attribute 4) Language of the press 5) Subliminal messages in advertising                                                 PART-3 Q3.(I)Write a short note on any 1 of the following:                                        6*1 1) Commonwealth Games 2010 2) Satyam scandal 3) Abuse of the elderly 4) Ladli Scheme 5) NREGA (II)Correct the errors in the following passage:                                           4*1                                                                     Gurcharan das..........seeks to read The Maharashtra as an act of self-cultivation, asking how one applies its values and codes to a modern world realising the perils of such an exercise, and conscious as a Hindu executive he might be suffering "A st age melancholy", Das begins an exercise in reading and re-reading. He begins a powerful form of initiative especially with scholars like Sheldon Pollock Paul Friedrich to help him. If a man is know the scholars he enjoys and the Bibliography keeps Das in wonderful company.