1.1 Title of the Programme
The programme will be called the Bachelor of Journalism and Communication (BJCO).
1.2 Programme Description
The Department has revised the Bachelor of Journalism and Communication (BJCO) programme. Fundamental to this revised programme is the updating of course units to match with current trends, as well as removing duplication of content from the previous curriculum. The balance between academic and practical aspects of learning have also been strengthened further in the revised programme. The revised BJCO programme will provide students with solid grounding in the principles of journalism and communication, as well as the technical and practical skills required to make them versatile professionals in the field. Media is an integral part of individual, social and institutional systems. Social and institutional life depends on the constant development and varied use of modes of media and communication. As such, it requires the systematic study of communication, media, and technology in national, regional and global contexts. Therefore, the revised Bachelor of Journalism and Communication will give the Department a framework for preparing students to respond to the new professional realities and to meet the expectations of the market. The programme continues to target students who want to study journalism, media and communication, including print journalism, radio and television journalism, public relations, digital journalism, strategic communication, visual communication to mention, but a few.
1.2.1 Justification for the Review
The Bachelor of Journalism and Communication programme was launched in the Academic Year 2010/2011. The curriculum that was launched in 2011 has served its original purpose. In addition, the media and communication industry have been undergoing a number of changes, which must be reflected in both content and teaching methods. More specifically, the media industry has in the last two decades grown in the various areas of print journalism, broadcasting, photojournalism, and lately online/web journalism and media. Even though the mass media are spreading to the rural areas, access remains limited by socio-economic and other factors. Both the need for and means of communication have become more varied and sophisticated.
While the use of ICTs and the Internet were the most prevalent trends in the media industry in the past decade, the advent and proliferation of social media and online tools have greatly transformed the way of work and training in the field of journalism. At the same time multimedia has gained significant relevance and traction in today’s mediascape. Further, the demand for graduates who are competent in behavioural, social and development communication, who can ably address livelihood conditions at different levels in society has continued to grow. The growth in the corporate and public sectors in the country and in the region also continues to put communication at the forefront of business and service delivery. Thus, the Bachelor of Journalism and Communication must undergo revision in order to make it relevant to the changed needs, demands and trends within the country and beyond.
This review was also necessary to remove overlaps among the previously disconnected sectors of print journalism, broadcasting/electronic journalism, photojournalism and online journalism, as well as public relations and strategic communication. It is also true that the old curriculum did not effectively address the communication and information needs of Ugandan society beyond those served by the mainstream and predominantly urban and English language media, with graduates under-prepared to respond to the communication and information needs of the majority of audiences that communicate primarily in indigenous languages and who reside in rural areas.
Lastly, it is also important to note that the review is in line with the requirement for academic programmes to be reviewed every five years in order to meet the standards and guidelines of the NCHE and the Makerere University Quality Assurance Policies and frameworks. Moreover, the revision aligns our training with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), specifically goal 4 which seeks to ensure equitable and quality education and lifelong learning for all. The revised curriculum is tailored to foster innovation among learners geared towards job creation which speaks directly to SDG 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure. At the University level, the revised curriculum adheres to the strategic goal of a research-led university, specifically in regard to the inclusion practical and student-led learning as well as project/problem-based learning which will help students to acquire research and innovation skills that will enable them to engage in productively in a demanding and technologically evolving media and communication landscape. This is the review of the 2011 Bachelor of BJCO Programme
1.3 Programme Objectives
The objectives of the BJCO are to equip learners with the appropriate balance of multi-disciplinary knowledge, intellectual abilities, and professional skills in the field of journalism, communication and relevant humanities fields. At the end of the programme, learners are expected to analyse and apply journalistic and communication information to address social challenges and improve livelihood conditions at different levels in society.
The specific objectives of the programme :
(i) To equip students with the knowledge and understanding of the role of journalism and communication in economic, political and socio-cultural development at national and global levels
(ii) To equip students with knowledge and skills to strengthen their practice and proficiency in journalism and communication practice
(iii) To offer students a deep multidisciplinary exploration in the professional disciplines of journalism and communication, while building their professionalism on a broad foundation in the social sciences, liberal arts, languages, as well as information and communication technology (ICT)
(iv) To train national and international journalists and communication practitioners
(v) To equip scholars with journalistic and strategic communication skills to solve problems that constrain national and global development
(vi) To meet the demand for current and future journalism and strategic communication specialists in government agencies, bodies, parastatals, and profit and non-profit organisations within Uganda and beyond
1.4 Programme Outcomes
By the end of the programme, learners will be able to:
(i) Recognise the role and importance of media and communication in a wide range of sectors.
(ii) Report news about politics, health, economics, business, environment, science and technology and other contemporary development issues.
(iii) Demonstrate essential media and communication skills in a variety of sectors.
(iv) Develop communication strategy to address challenges in the social, political and economic, spheres.
(v) Recognise the linkage between technology, journalism and communication on the one hand and job and career prospects on the other.
(vi) Apply ethical, legal and policy standards in media, journalism and communication practice at a national and global level.
1.5 Employment Prospects
The Bachelor of Journalism and Communication degree is one of the most sought-after programmes in the field of humanities and social sciences. Graduates of this programme easily find employment in local and international newsrooms to work as reporters, writers, editors and sub-editors.
Our communication track equips our students with knowledge to work as information/communication/public relations officers/managers in both local and international organisations. The versatility of the programme enables our graduates to take on non-traditional communication/journalism roles such as fundraising officers, monitoring and evaluation officers and account executives.
Some of our previous graduates are currently working in prestigious local and international agencies such as UNICEF, FAO, the World Bank, the IMF, UNDP, Daily Monitor, New Vision, NTV, NBS, the President’s office, Office of the Prime Minister, Makerere University, among others. Increasingly, many of our graduates are also finding employment in the digital communication sector. They could also work in non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations (CSOs) as well as in consultancy firms.
Finally, the graduates from this programme will create their own jobs and become entrepreneurs as content creators, media owners, influencers, communication consultants, among others.