Course Structure Overview
The Media Studies program spans four years and consists of eight semesters, with a balanced mix of core subjects, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory sessions. The curriculum is designed to build foundational knowledge in media theory and practice, followed by specialization in advanced topics relevant to contemporary media landscapes.
Semester-wise Course Listing
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MST-101 | Introduction to Media Studies | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | MST-102 | Digital Literacy and Information Systems | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | MST-103 | Mass Communication Principles | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | MST-104 | Media History and Evolution | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | MST-105 | Media Ethics and Responsibility | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | MST-106 | Introduction to Multimedia Production | 2-0-2-4 | - |
| 2 | MST-201 | Communication Theory and Models | 3-0-0-3 | MST-101 |
| 2 | MST-202 | Media Economics and Management | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 2 | MST-203 | Media Law and Policy | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 2 | MST-204 | Audiovisual Production Techniques | 2-0-2-4 | - |
| 2 | MST-205 | Cultural Studies in Media | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 2 | MST-206 | Media Analytics and Research Methods | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 3 | MST-301 | Advanced Media Theory | 3-0-0-3 | MST-201 |
| 3 | MST-302 | Public Relations and Brand Strategy | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 3 | MST-303 | Digital Storytelling and Narrative Design | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 3 | MST-304 | Social Media Marketing and Engagement | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 3 | MST-305 | Data Visualization and Infographics | 2-0-2-4 | - |
| 3 | MST-306 | Media Ethics and Social Responsibility | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 4 | MST-401 | Media Entrepreneurship and Innovation | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 4 | MST-402 | Global Media Industries and Trends | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 4 | MST-403 | Media Research Project | 2-0-2-4 | - |
| 4 | MST-404 | Capstone Project in Media Studies | 4-0-0-4 | - |
Advanced Departmental Electives
Departmental electives offer students opportunities to delve deeper into specialized areas of interest within media studies. These courses are offered in the third and fourth years, allowing for focused exploration and skill development:
- Media Analytics & Data Visualization: This course teaches students how to extract meaningful insights from large datasets using statistical tools and visualization techniques. Students will work on real-world projects involving social media analytics, audience behavior analysis, and content performance tracking.
- Digital Storytelling and Narrative Design: Focused on storytelling across digital platforms, this course covers interactive narratives, branching storylines, and immersive experiences in virtual reality environments.
- Social Media Strategy and Marketing: Students learn to craft effective social media campaigns by understanding platform-specific algorithms, audience segmentation, influencer partnerships, and engagement metrics.
- Media Ethics and Social Responsibility: This course explores ethical dilemmas in media production, including issues of bias, representation, privacy, and accountability in digital environments.
- Cultural Studies in Media: Through this course, students examine how cultural identities are constructed, represented, and challenged through various forms of media, including film, television, and online platforms.
- Audiovisual Production Techniques: Hands-on laboratory sessions teach advanced editing techniques, sound mixing, lighting design, and cinematography principles used in professional productions.
- Public Relations and Brand Strategy: Students explore brand building strategies, crisis communication protocols, stakeholder management, and corporate reputation development in modern business environments.
- Media Economics and Management: This course introduces students to the economic principles governing media industries, including revenue models, funding structures, and strategic decision-making processes.
- Digital Storytelling and Narrative Design: In this advanced course, students learn to design immersive narratives using interactive technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and gamification techniques.
- Media Law and Policy: A comprehensive overview of legal frameworks affecting media production, distribution, and consumption, including copyright law, defamation laws, and international media regulations.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department strongly advocates for project-based learning as a means to foster critical thinking, collaboration, and practical application of theoretical concepts. Students are required to complete two major projects during their academic journey:
- Mini Projects (Years 2 & 3): These are smaller-scale research or creative endeavors designed to enhance students' analytical and technical skills. Mini projects typically involve group work, data collection, and presentation preparation.
- Final-Year Thesis/Capstone Project: The capstone project is a substantial piece of original research or creative work that allows students to demonstrate mastery in their chosen area of specialization. Students are paired with faculty mentors who guide them through the entire process from topic selection to final presentation.
Project selection is based on student interests, faculty expertise, and alignment with current industry trends. Evaluation criteria include methodology, originality, relevance, execution quality, and presentation skills.