Development Communication
Training in this programme is intended to enhance the use of communication as a tool for strategic intervention to promote and support social development. Customized to meet the needs of governmental and non-governmental organizations, international agencies, and professional bodies in the areas of development, the department is geared towards producing media professionals who are knowledgeable in issues of development and interested in utilizing information and communication systems and processes to advocate for specific development projects, and to facilitate and promote national, regional and community development.
Development communication is a challenging programme that combines development theory and practical application. The curriculum includes theoretical immersion in pertinent areas of national development, such as science and health policies, economic development, environment studies, gender issues, training in applied research methods and training in communication campaigns geared towards policy implementation and change in society.
Students are required to demonstrate proficiency in a number of areas – theoretical understanding of developmental issues, research methods, media campaign and advocacy planning, and proficiency in use of particular media of communication. In their final year, students work to design and execute a formal communication campaign on a particular developmental issue in a community.
Journalism
The professional journalism track prepares students for careers such as news reporting, editing and production.
The track is based on a liberal arts foundation, knowledge of the social context in which the professions are practiced, and the skills and experiences needed to succeed in the marketplace of print, broadcast, online and multimedia journalism.
The programme includes courses such as news gathering, reporting and writing, public affairs and in-depth reporting, investigative and interpretative reporting, reporting and writing for the electronic and online media, and print and digital media page planning and radio and television production.
Graduates from this programme will qualify for positions as reporters, editors, and producers in the print, broadcast, online and multimedia journalism industry. This track is for students who love to write, work under the pressure of deadlines, and ask tough questions.
To successfully complete the B.A. in the journalism track, students must also complete the school's liberal studies, pre-major preparatory, communication theories, and internship requirements.
To successfully complete the B.A. in the Development Communication track, students must also complete the school's liberal studies, pre-major preparatory, communication theories, and project requirements.
Strategic Communication
The Strategic Communication track prepares students for careers in advertising and public relations. The track is based on a liberal arts foundation and the skills and experiences needed to succeed in the marketplace of advertising and public relations.
Graduates from this programme qualify for positions in corporate communications and public relations and marketing set ups, in the creative and account sides of advertising businesses, agencies, and other media environment.
Students in the strategic communication track combine advertising or public relations focus. To successfully complete the B.A. track in strategic communication, students must also complete the school's liberal studies, pre-major preparatory, communication theories, and internship requirements.
Visual & Digital Communication
The visual & digital communication track is designed to provide students with realistic, professional based training in visual communication and digital media, while at the same time providing a strong liberals arts and cultural background for a strong scholarly education foundation.
Professional training is offered in informational graphics and publication design, interactive multimedia, and photojournalism for newspapers, magazines, television and online media. Given the increasing convergence that characterizes new digital and visual media, students are encouraged to develop skills in at least two areas of visual and digital media creation.
After completing the emphasis core requirements, students will select a combination of introductory and advanced courses that will give them specialization in two of the following areas such as photojournalism, web design, multimedia production, television documentary production.
To successfully complete the B.A. in the visual and digital communication track, students must also complete the school's liberal studies, pre-major preparatory, communication theories, and internship requirements.
