Curriculum
The Journalism program at Icmai University Jaipur is structured to provide a balanced blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring students are well-prepared for the dynamic media landscape. The curriculum is divided into multiple semesters with increasing complexity, beginning with foundational courses and advancing toward specialized tracks.
Course Structure Overview
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credits (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JN101 | Introduction to Journalism | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | JN102 | English for Journalists | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | JN103 | Media and Society | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | JN104 | Basics of Writing Skills | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 1 | JN105 | Introduction to Mass Communication | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | SC101 | Mathematics for Communication | 4-0-0-4 | - |
| 2 | JN201 | News Writing and Reporting | 3-0-0-3 | JN101 |
| 2 | JN202 | Audio Visual Production | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 2 | JN203 | Visual Storytelling | 3-0-0-3 | JN101 |
| 2 | JN204 | Media Ethics and Legal Frameworks | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 2 | JN205 | Digital Media Fundamentals | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 2 | SC201 | Statistics for Media Analysis | 4-0-0-4 | SC101 |
| 3 | JN301 | Investigative Journalism | 3-0-0-3 | JN201 |
| 3 | JN302 | Data Journalism | 3-0-0-3 | JN205, SC201 |
| 3 | JN303 | Broadcast Journalism | 3-0-0-3 | JN201 |
| 3 | JN304 | Feature Writing and Profiles | 3-0-0-3 | JN201 |
| 3 | JN305 | Media Research Methods | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 3 | SC301 | Communication Theory | 4-0-0-4 | JN101 |
| 4 | JN401 | Digital Storytelling | 3-0-0-3 | JN205 |
| 4 | JN402 | Social Media Strategy | 3-0-0-3 | JN205 |
| 4 | JN403 | Media Law and Ethics | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 4 | JN404 | Public Relations and Corporate Communication | 3-0-0-3 | JN201 |
| 4 | JN405 | International Journalism | 3-0-0-3 | JN201 |
| 4 | SC401 | Research Project | 3-0-0-3 | JN305 |
| 5 | JN501 | Advanced Reporting Techniques | 3-0-0-3 | JN401 |
| 5 | JN502 | Podcasting and Audio Production | 3-0-0-3 | JN202 |
| 5 | JN503 | Documentary Making | 3-0-0-3 | JN201 |
| 5 | JN504 | Media Analytics and Metrics | 3-0-0-3 | JN205, SC201 |
| 5 | JN505 | Specialized Workshop | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 6 | JN601 | Capstone Project I | 3-0-0-3 | JN405 |
| 6 | JN602 | Internship | 4-0-0-4 | - |
| 7 | JN701 | Capstone Project II | 3-0-0-3 | JN601 |
| 7 | JN702 | Industry Mentorship | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 8 | JN801 | Final Thesis | 6-0-0-6 | JN701 |
| 8 | JN802 | Advanced Specialization | 3-0-0-3 | - |
Detailed Course Descriptions
Each course in the Journalism program is designed to provide students with comprehensive insights and hands-on experience relevant to their chosen specialization:
- Data Journalism: This course explores how data can be transformed into compelling narratives. Students learn to collect, analyze, and visualize data using tools like Excel, Python, and Tableau. The curriculum includes case studies from global newsrooms, focusing on investigative projects that use data to uncover hidden truths.
- Investigative Journalism: Designed for students who want to pursue careers in deep-dive journalism, this course covers advanced research techniques, source verification, and ethical considerations in sensitive reporting. Students work on real cases under faculty supervision.
- Broadcast Journalism: Covers the production process of radio and television news, including scriptwriting, anchoring, studio operations, and post-production editing. Students gain hands-on experience with professional equipment and participate in live broadcasts.
- Media Law and Ethics: Provides an in-depth understanding of legal frameworks governing media practices and ethical dilemmas faced by journalists. Topics include defamation law, privacy rights, freedom of information, and journalistic integrity.
- Social Media Strategy: Focuses on leveraging social platforms for storytelling, audience engagement, and brand building. Students learn content planning, influencer collaboration, community management, and analytics.
- Digital Storytelling: Teaches students to craft immersive narratives using interactive formats such as web documentaries, virtual reality experiences, and gamified content. Emphasis is placed on user experience design and multimedia integration.
- Public Relations and Corporate Communication: Prepares students for roles in corporate communications, crisis management, and stakeholder engagement. The course includes mock campaigns, client presentations, and strategic planning exercises.
- International Journalism: Explores the global media landscape and cultural differences in reporting. Students examine international news organizations, cross-cultural communication strategies, and global events from a journalistic perspective.
- Feature Writing and Profiles: Builds upon foundational writing skills to develop compelling character-driven stories. Students learn interview techniques, narrative structure, and how to write engaging personal profiles for magazines and online platforms.
- Media Research Methods: Introduces students to qualitative and quantitative research methods used in journalism. Includes surveys, interviews, focus groups, and data collection techniques relevant to media studies.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy:
The department adheres to a project-based learning model that encourages active participation, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving. Throughout the program, students engage in both individual and group projects designed to simulate real-world challenges faced by journalists.
Mini-projects are assigned every semester to reinforce theoretical concepts with practical applications. These projects typically involve creating a short documentary, conducting a survey, or producing a multimedia piece that reflects the current trends in journalism. Evaluation criteria include creativity, technical skill, adherence to deadlines, and team collaboration.
The final-year capstone project is a comprehensive endeavor where students select a topic of interest, conduct extensive research, and produce a polished report or multimedia presentation. Faculty mentors guide students through every phase of the project, from idea generation to final delivery. The project must demonstrate proficiency in journalism standards, ethical practices, and innovative storytelling techniques.