IIJNM Prospectus - Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media

12
core course explains the political, economic and societal contexts
in which journalists operate and provides an understanding of
democratic functions. It also helps provide paradigms to help the
young journalist understand the bigger picture behind the story.
(This course is required for all students across both semesters.)
ELECTIVES
Students should choose the required number of electives from
the list below.
Political Reporting
This course teaches students how to approach breaking stories
and analytical pieces involving national and local governments.
By covering parties and politicians, from campaigns to press
conferences, students learn the complexities of the political scene.
All students with specialisation in national political news are
required to take this course.
Business and Financial Reporting
This course is an introduction to business and financial reporting,
exploring corporate stories, industry news, national and local
economic trends, and financial markets. Students learn what news
is important to readers, where to find, and how to analyse and
present it. All students with specialisation in business reporting
are required to take this course.
Covering International News
Students learn how to go about researching and capturing
news on fast-breaking international events. The importance of
distinguishing facts from propaganda, and the importance of
reflecting different points of view are emphasised. The impact
of modern communication in the globalisation process is also
discussed. All students with specialisation in international news
are required to take this course.
Magazine Writing
Long-form narrative writings that have appeared in major national
and international magazines will be explored. What makes a
magazine story different from newspaper reporting? Narrative
energy, the storytelling voice, the shift from observation to insight
and interviewing techniques are some of the discussion topics. All
students with concentration in magazine publishing are required
to take this course.
Investigative Reporting
Students learn to write investigative articles about government
policy and other areas by cross-reading different published articles
and documents and by interviewing key players—in search
of contradictions and misrepresentations. Examples of major
investigations and other materials published by Investigative
Reporters and other organisations form the basis of the study.
Digital Photo Journalism
This course teaches reporting with a camera. The class will learn
photo-reporting for a newspaper as well as the photo essay form
that explores one subject at length. The technology of transferring
the digital photo for the Web will also be studied.
Op-ed Writing
Students are introduced to commentary articles in the media.
The course teaches how the subject is chosen, formulated, and
presented. The art of writing op-eds, using rhetorical skills, is
covered in-depth.
Covering the Arts and Cultural Events
Students will learn to cover different aspects and forms of art, and
learn its importance to daily life. The world of ideas is another
related area that is both compelling and important to human
experience. Further, the impact of “established,” “popular” and
“emerging” cultures on society will be examined.
Sports Reporting
Much more is involved in sports and games these days than who
won, who lost and why. Complex questions involve the sociology,
the psychology and the business of sport, and perhaps more
importantly, the ethics of sport.
Covering Social and Religious Issues
These two distinct but inter-related subject areas are of considerable
importance to a sustainable and peaceful culture and society.
Students will learn to write with an edge about issues of poverty,
social class, labour, crime, religion and spirituality, traditions,
environment and a host of other topics.
Covering Health and Environmental Issues
Health issues include those related to the field of medicine,
delivery of health care, and environmental health. Environmental
issues include local and global problems related to pollution,
contamination, adulteration and others. The relationship between
health and environment is also discussed. Students will be required