| Duration: |
4 semesters |
Number of Courses: |
18 |
| Number of Credits: |
70 |
| Minimum GPA required to graduate: |
2.0 |
Entry Requirements:
- Five (5) CXCs. Minimum Grade 3. Must include English at no more than 2 sittings;
- IDCE (IRM) or Associate Diploma from the Centre for Communication Studies or any recognized University or mature student 26 years and over together with UGEE;
- 3 “A” level passes or 6 CAPE passes
- Prior entry to University, (any programme: Diploma or Degree)
- Course credits from summer clinics (No less than 3 course credits: either a grade A or B)
The Curriculum includes the following courses:
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Year 1
-
Semester I
- DPC 111 - Introduction to Communication Theory
Credits : 4
This course is a study of the elements of the communication process, theories of communication and psychological aspects of communication. Nature, meaning, scope and functions of communication; Communication - a two way process; communication process; elements of communication process; concept and nature of feedback; communication objectives, personality variable in human communication; components of the message, source credibility; concept and types of meaning; methods/media of communication; theories of empathy; barriers to effective communication; selectivity in communication; dynamics of small group communication.
- DPC 117 - Foundations of Journalism: Logic, Evidence and Research
Credits : 4
This course will provide students with logical, analytical and Research abilities that are fundamental for informed journalism on public issues. The course is divided into an introduction and four sections. The introduction explores the logical analysis of arguments, language and evidence. The first section explores how these skills can be used to analyze bogus claims by groups that seek to manipulate journalists. Sections two, three and four apply these skills to important areas: (a) the use of numerical information, e.g. in polling, (b) health and environment, and (c) reporting on genes and genomics. Other topics than health and genes can be used to test the student's logical skills. Genes and health issues are chosen as examples of topics of relevance to many types of students.
- DPC 115 - Foundations of Journalism: Writing
Credits : 4
Introduction to narrative, descriptive and explanatory writing, with revision of grammar, syntax and style. News writing will be introduced in Tier 1 Reporting and Writing. Mode: Lectures on writing, daily writing practice, group discussions of each other's work, grammar handouts and quizzes, grammar tests, and major writing assignments.
Grammar: Each week, the instructor should assign a chapter of a grammar or style book, or give students a grammar handout, to be tested in a quiz the following week.
If the instructor has assistance, the quizzes should be collected and marked and the marks recorded each week; if not, students should mark each other's work in class and a grammar test should be set twice a term to be marked by the instructor. This syllabus will leave it to the instructor to select weekly grammar and style points to be studied and tested, since these are readily available in texts and vary from language to language. The purpose of every grammar lesson should be to improve writing. For example, tenses need to be mastered so that one can write consistently in a tense, correctly moving back to the past and forward to the future as required. One should understand the difference between the active and passive voice so that one can use the active whenever possible.
- ENG 115 - Introduction to the Use of English
Credits : 4
- SOC 110 - The Study of Society
Credits : 3
This is an introductory course in Sociology. It is designed to introduce students to some of the basic concepts used in sociological analysis. The student's attention is directed towards understanding of the world as a single society, the nature of society, the organization of culture, interpersonal and inter groups relations, social institutions and the basic processes of change.
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Semester II
- DPC 127 - Foundations of Journalism: National and International Institutions
Credits : 4
This course aims at providing a basic understanding of one's own country's system of government, its constitution, system of justice, political process, geography, economy, including an understanding of poverty, environmental and development issues, and its relations with other countries.
- DPC 129 - Introduction to Media Ethics and Law
Credits : 4
- ENG 125 - Use of English
Credits : 3
- DPC 125 - Reporting and Writing I: Basic News and Features
Credits : 4
- SOC 120 - Introduction to Sociological Theory
Credits : 3
This course serves to introduce Sociology students to the fundamentals of Sociological theories. It examines the Historical, and philosophical foundations of existing sociological theories, from as far back as Ancient and Medieval times, up to the latter half of the twentieth century. The course examines models and paradigms of Sociology, the analyses of specific theories and focuses on major assumptions, concepts and propositions.
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Year 2
-
Semester I
- MNG 215 - Computer Literacy
Credits : 4
- DPC 219 - Reporting and Writing/Tier 3: Specialized Journalism (Science and Health)
Credits : 4
TAcquisition of knowledge and skills in science and health reporting ought to be a focal point of training for journalism and mass communication students in the
developing world. The aim of this course is to train students who will be able to report science and health news and information to citizens of their countries as part of the efforts to improve the total quality of their lives. Aspects of science and health that bear significantly on the quality of the day-to-day living of citizens in their countries of operation. They will also be instructed in the skills they require to be able to discharge their duties professionally and effectively.
Mode
Instruction will consist of lectures, seminars, and assignments in class as well as outside the classroom for grading and discussions during subsequent class meetings.
- DPC 216 - Broadcast Reporting and Writing (Radio and Television)
Credits : 4
This bachelor’s-level course prepares students to report, write and present news, features, and interviews for radio, television and community radio. The course
includes an analysis of how reporting can be used as a tool for change, and how to minimize subjectivity and bias. The main emphasis will be on developing skills in reporting and editing in radio and television.
Course objectives
- To help the students learn the conceptual or theoretical aspects of audio and audiovisual media.
- To differentiate between print news and electronic media news and the techniques used in reporting and writing.
- To enable students to use audio and video recorders and other related equipment.
- To help students learn how to practice newsgathering and writing techniques for both broadcast media.
- To involve students in practical exercises based on editing of audio and audio visual recordings.
- To develop interviewing techniques and skills for radio as well as TV.
On completing the course (and the degree) students should be prepared the job
market in broadcast journalism.
- HST 215 - Survey of Guyanese History / Basic Statistics
Credits : 4
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Semester II
- DPC 225 - Reporting and Writing: In-depth Journalism
Credits : 4
This full-year or 30-week course is designed to sharpen the abilities of students to report and write in depth. Students will develop their tools of critical thinking in conceptualizing, developing and writing stories. They will learn advanced interviewing techniques, investigative research methods and the interpretation of surveys. They will learn to access and analyze public records and build and manage databases. The course will focus on the analysis and practice of complex storytelling, including the use of narrative techniques. It will include an introduction to the reporting of disasters.
- DPC 229 - Reporting and Writing: Specialized Journalism (Arts and Culture)
Credits : 4
Aims and content
- To develop skills in arts reporting, reviewing & profile / feature construction through attending cultural events, consuming cultural products, meeting cultural workers, in a variety of milieux
- To encourage students to develop a range of different approaches in review features, and to reflect critically on them
- To explore critically the various genres of journalistic coverage of the arts and popular culture, from fine arts to television
- To acquaint students with the key concepts and debates concerning the principal forms of artistic expression
- To examine processes by which critical judgments are translated into journalism.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course students will be able to:
- Produce a range of reviews appropriate to particular outlets.
- Evoke the atmosphere and mood of a live performance or an art event.
- Undertake a profile of an artist/celebrity on cultural field
- Critically discuss some common styles of arts journalism and programming.
- Describe the main feature of arts funding within their national culture and the role of the main promotional bodies involved
- Negotiate the world of arts promotion and PR specific to their national culture to obtain promotional material. journalists, critics, artists will be involved.
Mode
Lectures (I hr duration). Large group presentations by instructor to outline history and structure of cultural production, role of state and cultural organizations, economics of arts etc. Role of lecture is to provide overview and guide to further work / reading.
Seminars (I-2 hr duration). Small interactive group (max. 20) to explore and discuss: role of arts and cultural coverage in media output; particular types and genres of artistic production; and group and individual presentations by students mapping arts coverage etc. Individual or group presentations by students of assignments set in preceding weeks.
Workshops (2 - 3 hr duration). Small group (max. 20) guided and advised by instructor to develop analytical, critical and reporting skills in the various genres of arts reporting, including: reviewing, profiles, reflective essays / features in the student’s chosen medium. Workshops may be organized around particular tasks & will include attendance at cultural event with instructor and live reporting exercises. Production exercises (variable duration) to synthesize knowledge and skills in realistic, time-constrained activities aimed at specific readers / viewers and resulting in creation of wall newspaper / magazine dummy/ radio or TV magazine/website etc. depending on resources.
- DPC 226 - Broadcast Reporting and Writing II: Television
Credits : 4
- DPC 224 - Online / multimedia Journalism
Credits : 4
The purpose of this course is to give journalism students a broad perspective and practical skills in the emerging forms of journalism based on the Internet and other digital platforms. Through lectures (or seminars), class discussions and reading materials, students will examine how the digital revolution has affected journalism. They will also learn the basics of Web publishing, from planning and designing a news site to producing and publishing text, photos, audio and video, through computer lab sessions and practical exercises. The class will study how relationships with audiences can be transformed into more interactive engagement with the Internet and other networked media; consider ethical problems that can arise with new technologies, and how the structure of news organizations can be transformed by technology; learn how to use digital cameras,
and experiment with audio and video on multimedia, interactive projects; consider the impact of mobile technologies; and learn to adapt to emerging technologies, keeping in mind the basic values of journalism and its role in a democratic society.
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