Course Structure Overview
The Journalism program at Amity University Patna is structured over eight semesters, ensuring a progressive and comprehensive understanding of both theoretical foundations and practical applications. Each semester builds upon the previous one, integrating core subjects with departmental electives, science electives, and hands-on lab experiences.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JN-101 | Introduction to Journalism | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | JN-102 | Media History and Theory | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | JN-103 | Writing Skills for Journalists | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | JN-104 | Introduction to Mass Communication | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | JN-105 | Basic Reporting Techniques | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 1 | JN-106 | Media Ethics and Legal Frameworks | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | JN-107 | Science Elective I | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 2 | JN-201 | Advanced Reporting Techniques | 3-0-0-3 | JN-105 |
| 2 | JN-202 | Digital Media Fundamentals | 3-0-0-3 | JN-104 |
| 2 | JN-203 | Newsroom Operations | 2-0-0-2 | JN-105 |
| 2 | JN-204 | Data Analysis for Journalists | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 2 | JN-205 | Media Law and Ethics | 3-0-0-3 | JN-106 |
| 2 | JN-206 | Science Elective II | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 3 | JN-301 | Multimedia Storytelling | 3-0-0-3 | JN-202 |
| 3 | JN-302 | Investigative Reporting | 3-0-0-3 | JN-201 |
| 3 | JN-303 | Research Methodology in Media | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 3 | JN-304 | Social Media Analytics | 2-0-0-2 | JN-202 |
| 3 | JN-305 | Public Relations and Corporate Communications | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 3 | JN-306 | Science Elective III | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 4 | JN-401 | Broadcast Journalism | 3-0-0-3 | JN-301 |
| 4 | JN-402 | Data Journalism | 3-0-0-3 | JN-204 |
| 4 | JN-403 | Environmental Journalism | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 4 | JN-404 | Cultural Narratives and Identity Studies | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 4 | JN-405 | International Journalism | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 4 | JN-406 | Science Elective IV | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 5 | JN-501 | Advanced Digital Storytelling | 3-0-0-3 | JN-301 |
| 5 | JN-502 | Podcasting and Audio Production | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 5 | JN-503 | Media and Society | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 5 | JN-504 | Visual Communication Design | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 5 | JN-505 | Departmental Elective I | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 5 | JN-506 | Science Elective V | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 6 | JN-601 | Advanced Research Projects | 3-0-0-3 | JN-303 |
| 6 | JN-602 | Media Ethics and Policy | 3-0-0-3 | JN-205 |
| 6 | JN-603 | Interactive Media Production | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 6 | JN-604 | Departmental Elective II | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 6 | JN-605 | Science Elective VI | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 7 | JN-701 | Internship Program | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 7 | JN-702 | Specialized Research Topics | 3-0-0-3 | JN-601 |
| 7 | JN-703 | Departmental Elective III | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 7 | JN-704 | Science Elective VII | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 8 | JN-801 | Final-Year Thesis/Capstone Project | 6-0-0-6 | JN-702 |
| 8 | JN-802 | Departmental Elective IV | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 8 | JN-803 | Science Elective VIII | 2-0-0-2 | - |
Detailed Departmental Elective Courses
Departmental electives form a crucial part of the program, allowing students to specialize in areas aligned with their interests and career goals. Here are detailed descriptions of several advanced departmental elective courses:
Data Journalism (JN-505): This course introduces students to the principles of data-driven reporting, emphasizing how data can be used to uncover stories and inform public discourse. Students learn to collect, clean, analyze, and visualize data using industry-standard tools such as Python, R, and Tableau. The course includes practical projects involving real-world datasets from government agencies, NGOs, and media organizations.
Podcasting and Audio Production (JN-502): Designed for students interested in audio journalism, this course covers the fundamentals of podcasting, sound editing, interviewing techniques, and narrative structure for audio formats. Students produce their own episodes, learning how to create compelling audio content that engages listeners across different platforms.
Media and Society (JN-503): This interdisciplinary course explores the relationship between media and societal structures, examining how media shapes public opinion, influences policy, and reflects cultural values. Students engage with critical theories from sociology, political science, and communication studies to analyze contemporary media phenomena.
Visual Communication Design (JN-504): Focused on visual storytelling, this course teaches students how to design effective infographics, layouts, and multimedia presentations that enhance narrative clarity. Students learn about color theory, typography, and user experience design principles relevant to media content.
Advanced Digital Storytelling (JN-501): This course builds upon foundational digital storytelling skills by exploring immersive narratives using virtual reality, augmented reality, interactive web platforms, and multimedia installations. Students experiment with emerging technologies to create innovative storytelling experiences that push the boundaries of traditional journalism.
Media Ethics and Policy (JN-602): This course delves into the ethical challenges facing modern journalists, including issues of privacy, bias, misinformation, and censorship. It also examines media policy frameworks at national and international levels, preparing students to navigate complex regulatory environments.
Interactive Media Production (JN-603): Students learn how to create interactive web content, including clickable maps, animated graphics, and embedded multimedia elements. The course emphasizes user engagement and accessibility in digital storytelling, providing hands-on experience with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and CMS platforms.
Specialized Research Topics (JN-702): This elective allows students to explore niche research areas under faculty supervision. Topics may include indigenous media practices, climate change reporting, or the role of women in journalism. Students conduct independent research projects that contribute to academic discourse and practical knowledge.
Final-Year Thesis/Capstone Project (JN-801): The capstone project represents the culmination of the student's academic journey, where they apply all learned skills to a comprehensive research or production endeavor. Students choose a topic relevant to their specialization, work closely with faculty mentors, and present findings in professional formats such as academic papers, digital portfolios, or multimedia presentations.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
Our program emphasizes project-based learning as a core component of student development. Projects are designed to simulate real-world scenarios, encouraging students to collaborate, solve problems creatively, and demonstrate mastery of course concepts.
Mini-projects begin in the second year, with each project lasting approximately two months and involving teams of 3-5 students. These projects focus on specific aspects of journalism practice, such as developing a newsroom workflow, conducting a community survey, or creating a multimedia presentation about local issues.
The final-year thesis or capstone project is a major undertaking that spans the entire academic year. Students select topics in consultation with faculty mentors and work independently to produce a substantial body of work that showcases their expertise and creativity.
Faculty mentors are assigned based on student interests, ensuring alignment between research topics and mentorship capabilities. Evaluation criteria include originality, technical skill, adherence to ethical standards, and presentation quality.