1. Introduction

Broadly speaking, this course of study reflects the educational requirements of a dynamic society, potentially prone to change with a vision. Aware of this change process, Tribhuvan University has decided to bring about a systemic and gradual change in its Master’s level course design by switching to the semester system of teaching.

2. The Programme

The programme of Master’s level teaching with the code MAJMC is designed to produce higher quality of human resources in the field of journalism and mass communications. It aims at developing research-oriented study in the broader field of mass communications without losing sight of the need of preparing the students for meeting skillfully the requirements of real life media situations.

Tribhuvan University (TU) started the Master's level programme for Journalism and Mass Communications education in 2000. This new curricular initiative was followed in 1997 by a change in the long established two–year Bachelor’s level course to three-year undergraduate course. More than 80 academic institutions in the country are offering Bachelor’s programme. The Master's level courses are undergoing gradual change towards reestablishment of the semester system of teaching.

The new programme offers a variety of courses in mass communication theories and research methodology along with the courses in journalism. In the practical components, each course title carries 3 credit hours and is divided into ten units.

The programme proposes to advance critical knowledge and skills in learning the theory, history and practice of journalism and mass communications. Students will learn how the practice of journalism is underpinned by theoretical reasoning and by models representing social scientific and normative media theories. They will get to know the skills, the art and the ethics of journalism by practically reporting, editing, interviewing, writing and producing stories that range from short news pieces to complex narrative features, in print, online or other forms of the mass media. As the course combines practical training in reporting, interviewing, writing, editing, research, and newspaper and website production with a concern for critical and ethical reflection, students are expected to understand the critical and ethical implications of mass media institutions and journalistic practice. They will also learn to study and to do practical exercises in critical and ethical perspectives, and understand the issues of professionalism in the field of media practice in the light of modern information technology innovation and practices.

3. Significance of the Programme

The field of media in Nepal needs a greater number of skilled and professional human powers. The course will be instrumental in producing desired, highly qualified and skilled human resources that will serve the nation as the source of impartial, efficient and effective surveillance think tank.

4. Generic and Specific Objectives

The general objective of this course is to produce media scholarship that will be able to take the opportunities offered as well as to meet the challenges thrown from the media world.

The specific objectives of the course are as follows:

• To conduct an advanced level course of study for a better understanding of the field of journalism and mass communications;

• To prepare students for professional media position in real life situations;

• To prepare media professionals who can respond to a range of uncertain, and always evolving, complexities in the world of mass communications;

• To enable leaders of the trade to evaluate alternative approaches and take critical decisions that facilitate the operation of mass media in the era of globalization;

• To arouse high level consciousness about ethical implications of media professionalism and enable practitioners to adopt right attitude and manifest appropriate behaviour for the good of society; and

• To provide opportunity for media field research experience under expert guidance.