NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF JOURNALISM AND MEDIA STUDIES
Master of Science Degree in
Journalism and Media Studies
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN JOURNALISM AND MEDIA STUDIES
1.0PREAMBLE
1.1The Master of Science in Journalism and Media studies programme is aimed at students who are keen to have an advanced understanding of contemporary journalism practices, the role of the media in society and the philosophy that informs journalism practices, particularly in developing contexts. Through the critical examination of the media as institutions, which act and are acted upon by various social forces, the course enables students to have an understanding of media institutions and journalism practices as informed by economic, political, cultural and ideological foundations. Emphasis will also be placed on the understanding of journalism’s potential contributions to sustainable development, conflict transformation and generally the well-being of society.
1.2The regulations for the Master of Science degree hereinafter referred to as the Master of Science in Journalism and Media Studies, complement,and are subordinate to, University General Regulations for Masters degree by course work and Faculty of Communication and Information Science Regulations.
2.0 DURATION OF THE PROGRAMME
2.1 On a full-time basis, the programme will be studied over a period of 18 months, of which a minimum of six months shall be for the dissertation.
2.2 On a Block release basis, the MSc programme shall be studied over a period of 24 months, of which a minimum of 12 months shall be for the dissertation.
2.3 A full-time MSc student may, for good reason and subject to approval by Senate on the recommendation of the Faculty Board, transfer to the part-time programme or vice-versa, provided the student meets the requirements of the part of the programme he/she is transferring to.
3.0 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
3.1To be considered for admission to the MSc programme, a candidate should normally hold an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Journalism and/ or Media Studies or related discipline such as Communication Studies, Public Relations and Advertising.
3.2Candidates with at least a Second Class Honours degree in the above areas will be required to have at least three years post-qualification practical experience in a recognized media house.
3.3Candidates with any good first degree and a postgraduate diploma in Journalism and/or Media Studies or related field may be admitted into the Masters programme.
4. 0 ASSESSMENT
4.1Examination
4.1.1.A formal three-hour examination will be conducted in all courses at the end of each semester, except for the dissertation and IJM 6104 and IJM 6105, which will require the submission of a final practical project and a final paper respectively.
4.1.2.Candidates must pass all the courses in one semester before proceeding to the next.
4.1.3.Students to be admitted to the examination must have:
i.Paid required fees in accordance with the General Regulations.
ii.Participated in prescribed seminars.
4.1.4.If a candidate fails a course, he/she may, with the approval of Senate, supplement the examination.
4.1.5.Continuous assessment that may include, among other things, tests, essays, filed work and practical projects is compulsory
4.1.6.Failure to meet deadlines and carry out assigned work without departmental approval may result in students not writing examinations.
4.1.7.Coursework shall account for 40 % of overall assessment, while the formal examination will account for 60% of the overall assessment.
4.2Dissertation
4.2.1. A dissertation will carry the overall weight of 30 % of the entire course.
4.2.2. The examiner may recommend that a dissertation be revised and later be re-
submitted for examination.
4.2.3.The dissertation should have a minimum of 20 000 words.
4.2.4.After the dissertation has been submitted, a student shall be required to defend it before the Departmental Board of Examiners.
4.2.5.Oral defense of the dissertation shall constitute 25 % of the total dissertation marks.
4.2.6.Dissertations that attain a failure mark within the supplementable range may be resubmitted after three months. The maximum score for such dissertations shall not exceed 50%.
4.2.7.Students must submit two copies of the dissertation, bound according to departmental specifications.
4.2.8.Candidates who obtain between 40 and 49 percent in any examination may, subject to the approval by Senate, supplement the examination.
4.2.9.Availability of electives at each stage will be subject to the availability of staff.
5.0 Degree classification
The following classification shall be used for the programme:
70 % and above- Distinction
60 % - 69 %- Merit
50 % – 59 % - Pass
49 % and below- Fail
6. 0. Award of the Master of Science Degree in Journalism and Media studies
In order to be awarded the Master of Science degree in Journalism and Media studies, a candidate will be required to pass all the subjects taken in the programme.
7.0. Programme Structure
The MSc in Journalism and Media studies is a programme comprising taught courses and a dissertation. The programme will be done over 4 semesters on a block release basis and 2 semesters on a full-time basis, covering nine courses and a dissertation. In each semester, candidates will be required to choose one elective in addition to the core courses. Electives on offer per semester will depend upon the availability of teaching staff and other resources.
8.0 Minimum body of knowledge
8.1 Advanced understanding of contemporary journalism practices.
8.2 Role of the media in society and the philosophy that informs journalism practices, particularly in developing contexts.
8.3 An advanced understanding of media institutions and journalism practices as informed by economic, political, cultural and ideological foundations.
8.4 Strategic media management skills.
8.5 Research skills for writing journal articles, books and book chapters.
YEAR ONE
SEMESTER ONE
CORE COURSES
IJM 5101Media and Society: Theories and Perspectives
IJM 5102Contemporary issues in Journalism
ELECTIVES(Choose One)
IJM 5103 Science, Health and the Environment Journalism.
IJM 5104Advanced Investigative journalism
IJM 5105Electronic Publishing
SEMESTER 11
CORE COURSES
IJM 5201Research Methodology in Journalism and Media Studies
IJM 5202Journalism, Development and Democracy
ELECTIVES(Choose One)
IJM 5203Advanced News Writing and Editing
IJM 5204Advanced Television Journalism
IJM 5205Film Theory and Practices
IJM 5206Conflict Transformation, Management and Journalism
YEAR II
SEMESTER I
CORE COURSES
IJM 6100Dissertation
IJM 6101Strategic Media Management
IJM 6102 Media Texts and Audiences
ELECTIVES(Choose One)
IJM 6103Advertising and Corporate Communications
IJM 6104Journalism Production Project
IJM 6105Special Topics in Journalism
SEMESTER II
IJM 6200Dissertation
COURSE SYNOPSES
SEMESTER I
IJM 5101Media and Society: Theories and Perspectives
The course examines the philosophical foundations of journalism practice and the sociological nature of media institutions. As such, issues related to the professionalisation of journalism, the sociology of news, objectivity and fairness will be examined in detail. The course will also apply the instrumental and advanced critical perspectives to the understanding of the role of the media in society.
IJM 5102Contemporary issues in Journalism
The course will explore global trends in journalism emanating from how different news media organizations are structured and the resultant implications on practice and professionalism. Issues related to the role of journalism in a world characterized by many changes will be looked at in relation to the impact of global trends on journalism and also on whether journalism influences these trends. The course will also look into developments in new information and communication technologies and how they have given birth to concepts such as blogging, ‘citizen journalism’, advocacy journalism and many other issues related to the role of journalism in society.
ELECTIVES
IJM 5103: Science, Health and the Environment Journalism
The course is aimed at equipping students with knowledge that is needed to become outstanding science, environment and health journalists. In the first instance, students learn the importance of the three areas to achieving sustainable development and also examine key topics in the philosophies of the practice of science, toxicology, environmental law, risk assessment, epidemiology, science and environmental databases. Students will learn to research and write incisive stories from scientific journals, papers and conferences. Prominent guest speakers in the above areas will also be invited to make presentations and interact with students. Special attention will also be given to topical issues of relevance to Zimbabwe.
IJM 5104:Advanced Investigative Journalism
This course is aimed at equipping students with the skills required for them to become effective investigative journalists. Key aspects of the course include sourcing of story ideas, research, interviewing and building sources for effective investigative journalism. Students also undertake investigative journalism case studies and also trace the history, challenges and the potential of investigative journalism practice in Zimbabwe.
IJM 5105Electronic Publishing
The course critically examines the history and practice of journalism in new media, with special reference to Southern Africa. Aspects to be covered will include study of the Web as a communication medium, online research and referencing, user centered–designs, lear navigation, general information architecture, graphics and the various online story telling techniques. The course will also explore the reception of online content and examine the implications of this to the practice of online journalism in Zimbabwe.
SEMESTER II
CORE COURSES
IJM 5201Research Methodology in Journalism and Media Studies
The course aims at equipping students with both the theoretical and practical knowledge of conducting research in journalism and media studies. Students explore the history of research in journalism and media studies, the philosophy informing major research approaches, various key data gathering and analysis techniques commonly used in the field. Emphasis will also be given to research ethics, report writing and the general state of journalism and media studies research in Africa.
IJM 5202Journalism, Development and Democracy
This course provides students with an understanding of the role of journalism in development and democracy. Students problematise the concepts of development and democracy and also critique the various journalism understandings, such as the public sphere, watchdog and advocacy understandings, as well as the implications of these understandings to development and democracy. Special focus will be given to the practice of journalism in Africa and its implications to development and democracy on the continent.
ELECTIVES
IJM 5203Advanced News Writing and Editing
This course explores the international trends in news writing and editing, with special attention given to advanced narrative story telling techniques and recent editing practices. This course will be mainly practical and students will also be expected to undertake practical critiques and reviews of news writing and editing practices locally.
IJM 5204Advanced Television Journalism
This course equips students with skills to produce non-fiction television content and to report on air, on location and in the studio. Other issues to be covered include mechanical and aesthetic editing of news clips, knowledge of various news writing formats, newsroom organisation and other key aspects. Students will be expected to produce news clips and demonstrate news judgment by organizing news stories into 20-minute newscasts.
IJM 5205Film Theory and Practices
In this course, students study the history and contemporary film production practices in Africa. Film production practices in successful African countries like Nigeria will also be studied in greater depth. Students will also learn the practical aspects related to film production and, as part of course work, students will be expected to produce a 20-30 minute short film. Experienced film producers in the country will also be invited to give seminars on film production.
IJM 5206Conflict Transformation, Management and Journalism
The course explores the role of journalism in conflict transformation and management, with specific focus on the African continent. Using the theoretical knowledge gained in other courses, students examine the role that can be played by the media to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts. Case studies of the media’s coverage of conflicts will be undertaken.
YEAR II
SEMESTER I
IJM 6100Dissertation
Students are expected to initially attend prescribed research seminars and then identify a research topic of their choice, submit a research proposal, review relevant literature and identify the theoretical framework. The choice of topics will be subject to the availability of supervisors.
IJM 6101Strategic Media Management
The course is aimed at equipping students with the skills of developing long term strategies of improving business performance through improved advertising, circulation and general resources utilization. This subject introduces students to concepts and practical issues concerned with strategic management. Topics to be examined include strategy formulation and planning, business environment analysis, strategy implementation, strategy and competitive advantage, dynamics of strategy, among others.
IJM 6102Media Texts and Audiences
In this course students will study the history of audience studies and explore how different theoretical perspectives on active and inactive media audiences and the nature of texts impact on our understanding of everyday media audiences. Students further explore the practical challenges related to textual analysis beyond the common representation and stereotyping dimensions. Specific attention will also be given to the study of ‘rural’ audience analysis, persuasion, public opinion and the public use of different media and media content.
ELECTIVES
IJM 6103Advertising and Corporate Communications
The advertising aspect of the course examines the managerial, economic, legal and cultural implications of the advertising industry, as well as practical aspects such as advertising planning, creative strategies and media planning. In corporate communications, students examine issues related to internal communications, media relations, as well as reputation and image management. The course will provide students with an insight into the contemporary advertising and corporate communications practices worldwide.
IJM 6104Journalism Production Project
This is a production-based course that will allow students to produce a sustained and sizable piece of work to demonstrate their theoretical understanding and practical print, television and/or film production skills. Production proposals must be accepted by the department in advance and will be allocated to individual supervisors.
IJM 6105Special Topics in Journalism
In this course, students may select individual topics in journalism and, with the assistance of their lecturers, delve into them in detail and submit detailedcritical papersof at least 25 double spaced pages. Students must show both exhaustive depth and a high level of analysis in covering contemporary understanding in their chosen areas.
SEMESTER 11
6200Dissertation
During this semester, students will continue working on their dissertations by conducting field research, analyzing findings and writing up their research project reports.
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