Journalism courses in Delhi University : Have a glance

Delhi University has begun  registration process for undergraduate programmes last week, offers four courses in journalism.

Eligibility criteria

The honours course in English or Hindi journalism requires an aggregate of 45% marks or more in English or Hindi with a combination of best three other elective subjects mentioned in the bulletin of information. Admission for the other two — BAMMC (BA Multi-Media & Mass Communication) and FYIP — is based on a combination of entrance and class 12 marks.

Before 2013, the honours course too had an entrance test. “These days, commerce students often have higher scores than those from humanities streams, and hence have higher chance of getting this course,” said professor Tarjeet Sabharwal, head of the journalism department at Delhi College of Arts and Commerce.

“Students are now beginning to use this (journalism courses) as a stopgap arrangement instead of genuinely being interested in the field. The university must go back to the previous mode of entrance tests.”

Course details

In the honours course, students are taught about media influence on culture, multimedia journalism, new media techniques, advertising and public relations, among other interdisciplinary courses.

The FYIP is taught in Hindi as well as English. Applicants require an aggregate of 50% or more on the basis of all five subjects in the previous qualifying examination. “The entrance is based on general knowledge, English comprehension, grammar and analytical skills, and basic mathematics, along with knowledge of different subject areas,” said professor JP Dubey, honorary director at Delhi School of Journalism (DSJ). Students will learn four foreign and two regional languages.

When questioned on the purpose of an entrance test, Dubey said, “Not many students study these subjects in school. The entrance tests allow a wider platform for students to pursue these courses despite what they have studied in schools.”

“Since the college is in the heart of north campus, students can closely observe how different ‘groups’ function in a society: an experience which will help them get an exposure to the society,” said Alishan Jafri, a third-year student at the institute, who plans to avail the “exit option” and walk out with a graduate degree. Only students who complete five years at the institute be awarded the Masters in Journalism (MJ) degree.