The MA in Multimedia Journalism caters to both experienced journalists aiming to elevate their multimedia and digital innovation skills and to newcomers to the journalism profession and media research field, as well as those seeking a career in university-level teaching in media studies or preparation for doctoral studies.
The MA degree offers two tracks: a research and a professional track. The first year, students in both tracks take common courses that elevate professional multimedia journalism and digital innovation skills and build a strong grounding in media research and theory. The second year, students in the professional track take additional professional courses and culminate with a journalistic project. Those in the research track attend theoretical and research-oriented courses and conclude with a thesis. Students in the professional track undergo a professional internship, while those in the research track partake in a research apprenticeship. Both tracks are required to complete a teaching apprenticeship that qualifies them to teach university-level media courses. Students also get the chance to participate in study abroad programs and engage with their faculty in scientific research.
The MA offers a regional and global scope, focusing on Arab media and society, and instilling principles of freedom of the press, objective and responsible journalism, global citizenship, and civic engagement. International students interested in building expertise in Arab media are especially encouraged to apply. Students with extensive journalism experience or a BA in Multimedia Journalism may waive some basic courses and replace them with more advanced electives. Qualified students may benefit from graduate assistantships (scholarships) that cover part of their tuition fees.
Multimedia Journalism
Applications for Fall 2019 are open
Early Deadline: January 28
Regular Deadline: March 30
Application and Admission to the MA in Multimedia Journalism
To apply to the MA in Multimedia Journalism, please visit the Graduate Admissions page and submit an online application.
Applicants to the MA in Multimedia Journalism are not required to take a GRE or similar exam. For details on English proficiency, please visit the graduate admissions page linked above.
A strong applicant to the MA program would demonstrate good undergraduate academic standing, ideally a GPA of 3.0 or higher, a credible interest in the field, and some professional experience working in the news or media industry. Students with weaker GPAs but extensive professional experience, demonstrated interest in the field, and strong recommendation letters may be accepted on a case by case basis, especially if their GPA relates to a different field of study.
Applicants to the MA in Multimedia Journalism program must hold a bachelor’s degree or a minor in journalism, communication arts, media studies or a related field. Students with no prior education or degree in this field may be admitted with the condition of taking remedial undergraduate courses to fulfill prerequisite requirements. If a student held no bachelor’s or minor in journalism, communication arts, media studies or a related field, the minimum requirement is a B+ average in the following undergraduate remedial courses:
(1) JSC220 News Reporting and Writing - or - JSC228 Arabic News Writing and Reporting,
(2) JSC226 Multimedia Journalism Basics
(3) JSC312 Media and Society
(4) JSC419 Media Law and Ethics
Relevant undergraduate courses and/or extensive professional experience in the field may be considered on a case by case basis toward waiving some or all of these remedial undergraduate courses. Qualified students may benefit from graduate assistantships (scholarships) that cover part of their tuition fees and offer the chance to work closely with a faculty member on research. Application for a graduate assistantship (scholarship) is part of the admission application.
For more questions, please email houri.gostanian@lau.edu.lb
MA in Multimedia Journalism Program
The MA in Multimedia Journalism requires a total of 31 credits, distributed accordingly:
Core Courses (22 credits). The following courses are all required:
JSC 601 Advanced News Writing & Reporting Lab*
1 credit
This intensive lab covers advanced news writing and reporting techniques in English for multimedia platforms. Coursework is based on practical journalistic assignments and drills that help students develop professional news writing and reporting skills in a tight deadline environment. Students may substitute this course with an elective if they completed JSC 236 (Advanced News Writing and Reporting) or equivalent with a B+ grade or higher and/or can demonstrate extensive professional experience writing news in English.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 602 Advanced Arabic News Writing & Reporting Lab*
1 credit
This intensive lab covers advanced news writing and reporting techniques in Arabic for multimedia platforms. Coursework is based on practical journalistic assignments and drills that help students develop professional news writing and reporting skills in a tight deadline environment. Students may substitute this course with an elective if they completed JSC 328 (Advanced Arabic News Writing and Reporting) or equivalent with a B+ grade or higher and/or can demonstrate extensive professional experience writing news in Arabic.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 603 Multimedia Journalism Lab*
1 credit
This intensive lab covers advanced multimedia production skills. It teaches students how to combine video, audio, photos, text, and infographics into innovative news stories for various digital platforms. Students may substitute this course with an elective if they completed JSC 432 (Multimedia Feature) or equivalent with a B+ grade or higher and/or can demonstrate extensive professional experience producing multimedia news packages.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 604 Data Journalism Lab*
1 credit
This intensive lab covers basic data-driven research, storytelling and reporting techniques. Students learn how to find stories in data, clean, organize, and represent them visually. It covers basics of data mining and information design. Students may substitute this course with an elective if they completed JSC 434 (Data Journalism) or equivalent with a B+ grade or higher and/or can demonstrate extensive professional experience in data-driven journalism production.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 610 Media Research Methods
3 credits
This course covers advanced scientific research methods and prepares students for their thesis/project. Students learn how to critically read and practically design and implement research projects using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodologies and data collection, sampling, analysis and interpretation techniques. Students engage in experiential research projects individually and collectively.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 611 Seminar in Media Theory and Digital Culture
3 credits
This seminar introduces students to established and emerging theories in journalism, communication and media studies. The course explores the origins of media theories and their place within social theory, and examines how they are currently challenged and redefined by the new digital environment. Throughout the course, students assess key concepts and conceptualize their own theoretical frameworks for their thesis/project.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 612 Digital Innovation
3 credits
This course covers how to approach journalistic story production through design thinking, using speculative scenarios to create innovative media forms. Students will gain theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in developing prototypes that go beyond conventional forms of visual and narrative representation, envisioning possible futures for journalistic storytelling and design. Throughout the course students practice presenting new ideas and defending disruptive innovations of established media forms.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 613 Media Education and Pedagogy
3 credits
This course introduces students to the major theories and methods of learning and teaching within the context of journalism, communication, and media education. It covers the evolution of media education as an independent field and explores relevant guidelines of curriculum development and student assessment at the college level. The goal of the course is to equip students with both the understanding of the theoretical foundations of learning and the practical skills to help them design media courses and implement effective methods of knowledge sharing.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 677 Research Apprenticeship
1 credit
This apprenticeship-based course allows students to practice their research skills in a real world setting and apply what they learned in JSC 610 (Media Research Methods) under the supervision of an experienced researcher. Students must spend at least two months (full-time) working on a real research project with the aim of publishing or presenting the work at an academic venue.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 679 Teaching Apprenticeship
0 credits
This apprenticeship-based course allows students to practice teaching theoretical and/or practical media content under the supervision of an experienced academic and apply what they learned in JSC 803 (Media Education and Pedagogy). Students must spend at least 25 contact hours in this apprenticeship.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 699 Thesis
6 credits
An original and extensive research project under the supervision of an advisor, defended before a committee.
Prerequisite(s):
Media Research Methods and Seminar in Media Theory and Digital Culture
Elective Courses (9 credits). Select three courses from the following list:
JSC 614 Digital Methods and Basic Programming
3 credits
This course introduces students to the basics of computer programming and covers digital research methods, using tools and devices exclusive to the digital media environment. It draws on readily-available applications for data mining, network visualization and related software, and adapts them to serve specific research purposes. Students will acquire practical skills in data extraction and scraping, text mining and network analysis, issue mapping, data visualization and speculative analytics, using algorithms and other automated forms of inquiry into social and media phenomena.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 620 Web Development for Media Professionals
3 credits
This course helps students master concepts and skills in web development, with emphasis on practical applications in journalism and communication professions. It covers databases, set up and management of websites on servers and Content Management Systems (CMS), integration of user tracking and web analytics, and basic editing of HTML, Javascript, and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 630 Arab and International Media
3 credits
This course covers the past, present, and emerging developments of Arab and world news systems, highlighting important historic news junctures, technological shifts, business models, and future trends. Special emphasis is put on how media systems interact with the political, social, and cultural particularities of the Arab world.
JSC 680 Global Media Literacy
3 credits
This course explores how distinctive global media shape views of politics, culture and society within nations, across regions and internationally. It analyzes information, values and underlying messages conveyed via various forms of media and prepares students for the afternoon course (JSC 681) Note: this course is part of a study abroad program. Students need to apply through the Office of International Services to enroll. Co-requisite: JSC 681.
Prerequisite(s):
Co-requisite:Global Change, Cooperation and News
JSC 681 Global Change, Cooperation and News
3 credits
This course explores global problems of contemporary importance and their news framing. The class will be broken into cooperative teams that will apply analytic frameworks, research tools and concepts derived from the morning course (JSC 680) to examine a global event, issue or problem as it is represented regionally. Note: this course is part of a study abroad program. Students need to apply through the Office of International Services to enroll. Co-requisite: JSC 680.
Prerequisite(s):
Co-requisite:Global Media Literacy
JSC 687 Digital Media Workshop
3 credits
This course covers specialized professional aspects of media production that are not covered by other major or elective courses. The workshop offers intensive training in particular journalistic fields or genres, and may be given either in a short period or for a full semester. The course may be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 688 Seminar in Media Studies
3 credits
This seminar covers theoretical and conceptual aspects of journalism, media, film and communication and their relationship to Lebanese and Arab politics and society. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite(s):
None
INA 825 Comparative Politics
3 credits
This course serves as a graduate-level introduction to the scholarly subfield of comparative politics. The objective is to expose the student to the variety of topics studied in comparative politics, the different theoretical approaches that dominate the subfield, and the methodological tools used to analyze comparative research questions. The course concludes by evaluating the current state of the subfield.
Prerequisite(s):
None
INA 826 Comparative Politics of the Middle East
3 credits
This seminar examines a number of themes pertinent to political, ideological, and socioeconomic dynamics in the Middle East. The objective of this seminar is twofold: to introduce students to the major political and socioeconomic challenges facing Middle Eastern states and societies, and to survey important debates shaping the discipline of Middle East studies. The themes examined in this seminar include the debates on Orientalism and Arab nationalism, the legacies of Middle East state formation, the politics of ethnic, religious, and sectarian identities, the rentier state and persistence of monarchical regimes, the politics of gender, the challenges of political economic restructuring and Islamist politics, and the impacts of the 2011 Arab uprisings on authoritarianism and democracy in the Arab world.
Prerequisite(s):
None
INA 831 International Political Economy
3 credits
The seminar examines the basis of the international political economy and analyzes interactions between economic and political factors on the international levels. Discussion issues include; international finance, international trade and the role of governmental and non-governmental international organizations.
TVF 316 Script Writing
3 credits
This course covers the principles and techniques of idea creation and writing for television and film. Students read, analyze and write scripts in different formats. They learn the building blocks of creative storytelling and develop a solid foundation in screenwriting terminology and format: character conception and development, the difference between plot and story, and idea pitching and treatments.
Prerequisite(s):
Introduction to Audio Visual Media , Art of Film , and Academic English II,
JSC 226 Multimedia Journalism Basics
3 credits
This course introduces students to the basic principles of multimedia reporting and provides hands-on training in interactive media production tools. Students learn how to combine sound, images, text and video into digital story formats and to create basic interactive information designs.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG101 Academic English I
COM 213 Public Relations
3 credits
This course details the principles of public relations, PR ethics, corporate social responsibility, public affairs, promotional campaigns, and media relations.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG101 Academic English I
COM 202 Interpersonal Communication
3 credits
This course helps to increase students’ understanding, and implementation, of effective interpersonal communication behaviors. The course examines the basic verbal, and nonverbal, elements affecting communication among individuals, within the family, peer group, and work contexts. Topics include strategy development, relationship and conversation management, defensive communication, and cultural and gender issues in communication style.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG101 Academic English I
COM 313 Nonverbal Communication
3 credits
The influence of nonverbal behavior on human interaction in a variety of contexts and settings, i.e. personal, workplace, and social. Students will work with various nonverbal cues including appearance, posture, facial expressions, and vocal cues.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG202 Advanced Academic English and COM 202 Interpersonal Communication or concurrently
COM 301 Human Communication Theory
3 credits
Students learn how to apply communication theory and evaluate communication situations. The basic theories of human communication, mass communication, and new media and technology are explored. Topics include interpersonal communication, public communication, mass media, and contemporary issues associated with mediated communication.
Prerequisite(s):
TVF 316 Script Writing
3 credits
This course covers the principles and techniques of idea creation and writing for television and film. Students read, analyze and write scripts in different formats. They learn the building blocks of creative storytelling and develop a solid foundation in screenwriting terminology and format: character conception and development, the difference between plot and story, and idea pitching and treatments.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 102 Academic English II, TVF 222 Introduction to Audio Visual Media , and TVF 221 Art of Film
TVF 221 Art of Film
3 credits
This course emphasizes formal aspects of film art such as sound, lighting, movement, editing, and Mise-en-Scene. It introduces students to the basic vocabulary and concepts necessary to critically analyze, understand, and appreciate films and covers the viewing, analysis, and written critique of important films that marked the development of this art. Students learn to watch, listen, critically analyze, and express their ideas about films in their writing and conversations.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG101 Academic English I
PFA 318 Writing Music for Visual Media
3 credits
This course covers sound design, sound effects, and music composition for film and visual media. It offers a comprehensive overview defining and encapsulating concepts, issues and applications regarding the use of sound effects and the process of composing music for cinematic arts, theater, dance and new media. Course work includes basic exercises in electroacoustic orchestration, electronic compositions, notation software sequencing and film scoring software and final project.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 220 News Writing & Reporting
3 credits
This class covers the basic techniques in news writing and reporting, emphasizing news values, accuracy and concise presentation as well as proper sentence structure and story organization. It explores the structural and conceptual characteristics of journalism across the full spectrum of information platforms. The majority of course work is based on practical, hands-on writing assignments that help students to develop professional research, interviewing and reporting skills and teaches them how write/produce to deadline and story briefs.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 101 Academic English I
JSC 226 Multimedia Journalism Basics
3 credits
This course introduces students to the basic principles of multimedia reporting and provides hands-on training in interactive media production tools. Students learn how to combine sound, images, text and video into digital story formats and to create basic interactive information designs.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 101 Academic English I
JSC 232 Photojournalism
3 credits
The course explores the history, practice, aesthetics, and ethics of photojournalism and examines the work of influential photojournalists and their impact on politics and society. It covers advanced photography and photo-editing skills for journalists, including various forms of photojournalism storytelling. Students produce several photojournalism projects for multimedia platforms.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 332 Broadcast Journalism
3 credits
This course teaches students how to construct and produce audio and video stories for television and other digital platforms using professional production equipment and editing tools. Emphasis is on editorial decision making for television and video content.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 220 News Writing and Reporting and JSC 226 Multimedia Journalism Basics
JSC 432 Multimedia Feature
3 credits
This course teaches students how to combine video, animated graphics and real-time data into innovative new story forms for the web, social media and other digital platforms. Genres covered in this class include audio slideshows, interactive maps, location-sensitive multimedia narrative and other.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 436 Journalism Workshop
3 credits
This class is an intensive production course in multimedia journalism. It involves the production of an online, interactive student publication in a specialized field such as environmental or human rights journalism, data driven reporting, or participatory storytelling, in collaboration with local communities. Students receive hands-on, intensive training in specific techniques of online user-driven story production, including newsroom management, reporting, writing, and editing multimedia content, and producing interactive graphics and maps.
Prerequisite(s):
PFA 318 Writing Music for Visual Media
3 credits
This course covers sound design, sound effects, and music composition for film and visual media. It offers a comprehensive overview defining and encapsulating concepts, issues and applications regarding the use of sound effects and the process of composing music for cinematic arts, theater, dance and new media. Course work includes basic exercises in electroacoustics orchestration, electronic compositions, notation software sequencing and film scoring software and final project.
Prerequisite(s):
PFA 210 Western Music Appreciation or PFA 214 Oriental Music Appreciation
Core Courses (19 credits). The following courses are all required:
JSC 601 Advanced News Writing & Reporting Lab*
1 credit
This intensive lab covers advanced news writing and reporting techniques in English for multimedia platforms. Coursework is based on practical journalistic assignments and drills that help students develop professional news writing and reporting skills in a tight deadline environment. Students may substitute this course with an elective if they completed JSC 236 (Advanced News Writing and Reporting) or equivalent with a B+ grade or higher and/or can demonstrate extensive professional experience writing news in English.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 602 Advanced Arabic News Writing & Reporting Lab*
1 credit
This intensive lab covers advanced news writing and reporting techniques in Arabic for multimedia platforms. Coursework is based on practical journalistic assignments and drills that help students develop professional news writing and reporting skills in a tight deadline environment. Students may substitute this course with an elective if they completed JSC 328 (Advanced Arabic News Writing and Reporting) or equivalent with a B+ grade or higher and/or can demonstrate extensive professional experience writing news in Arabic.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 603 Multimedia Journalism Lab*
1 credit
This intensive lab covers advanced multimedia production skills. It teaches students how to combine video, audio, photos, text, and infographics into innovative news stories for various digital platforms. Students may substitute this course with an elective if they completed JSC 432 (Multimedia Feature) or equivalent with a B+ grade or higher and/or can demonstrate extensive professional experience producing multimedia news packages.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 604 Data Journalism Lab*
1 credit
This intensive lab covers basic data-driven research, storytelling and reporting techniques. Students learn how to find stories in data, clean, organize, and represent them visually. It covers basics of data mining and information design. Students may substitute this course with an elective if they completed JSC 434 (Data Journalism) or equivalent with a B+ grade or higher and/or can demonstrate extensive professional experience in data-driven journalism production.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 610 Media Research Methods
3 credits
This course covers advanced scientific research methods and prepares students for their thesis/project. Students learn how to critically read and practically design and implement research projects using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodologies and data collection, sampling, analysis and interpretation techniques. Students engage in experiential research projects individually and collectively.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 611 Seminar in Media Theory and Digital Culture
3 credits
This seminar introduces students to established and emerging theories in journalism, communication and media studies. The course explores the origins of media theories and their place within social theory, and examines how they are currently challenged and redefined by the new digital environment. Throughout the course, students assess key concepts and conceptualize their own theoretical frameworks for their thesis/project.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 612 Digital Innovation
3 credits
This course covers how to approach journalistic story production through design thinking, using speculative scenarios to create innovative media forms. Students will gain theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in developing prototypes that go beyond conventional forms of visual and narrative representation, envisioning possible futures for journalistic storytelling and design. Throughout the course students practice presenting new ideas and defending disruptive innovations of established media forms.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 613 Media Education and Pedagogy
3 credits
This course introduces students to the major theories and methods of learning and teaching within the context of journalism, communication, and media education. It covers the evolution of media education as an independent field and explores relevant guidelines of curriculum development and student assessment at the college level. The goal of the course is to equip students with both the understanding of the theoretical foundations of learning and the practical skills to help them design media courses and implement effective methods of knowledge sharing.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 678 Professional Internship
1 credit
This professional internship offers students the opportunity to apply what they learned in a professional environment. Students in the professional track must spend at least two months (full-time) working in a professional multimedia journalism environment.
Prerequisite(s):
Adv. News Writing & Reporting lab , Adv. Arabic News Writing & Reporting lab , and Multimedia Journalism lab
JSC 679 Teaching Apprenticeship
0 credits
This apprenticeship-based course allows students to practice teaching theoretical and/or practical media content under the supervision of an experienced academic and apply what they learned in JSC 803 (Media Education and Pedagogy). Students must spend at least 25 contact hours in this apprenticeship.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 698 Project
3 credits
A culminating journalistic product that tackles a real-world problem critically, is grounded in theory and research, and uses innovative digital and data strategies and tools to offer solutions.
Prerequisite(s):
Media Research Methods and Seminar in Media Theory and Digital Culture
Elective Courses (12 credits). Select four courses from the following list:
JSC 614 Digital Methods and Basic Programming
3 credits
This course introduces students to the basics of computer programming and covers digital research methods, using tools and devices exclusive to the digital media environment. It draws on readily-available applications for data mining, network visualization and related software, and adapts them to serve specific research purposes. Students will acquire practical skills in data extraction and scraping, text mining and network analysis, issue mapping, data visualization and speculative analytics, using algorithms and other automated forms of inquiry into social and media phenomena.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 620 Web Development for Media Professionals
3 credits
This course helps students master concepts and skills in web development, with emphasis on practical applications in journalism and communication professions. It covers databases, set up and management of websites on servers and Content Management Systems (CMS), integration of user tracking and web analytics, and basic editing of HTML, Javascript, and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 621 Advanced Programming for Media Professionals
3 credits
This course helps students master concepts and skills in computer programming, with emphasis on practical applications in journalism and communication professions. It covers scripting and programming languages used in the profession, such as R and Python, and the development of online apps in a collaborative setting.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 630 Arab and International Media
3 credits
This course covers the past, present, and emerging developments of Arab and world news systems, highlighting important historic news junctures, technological shifts, business models, and future trends. Special emphasis is put on how media systems interact with the political, social, and cultural particularities of the Arab world.
JSC 680 Global Media Literacy
3 credits
This course explores how distinctive global media shape views of politics, culture and society within nations, across regions and internationally. It analyzes information, values and underlying messages conveyed via various forms of media and prepares students for the afternoon course (JSC 681) Note: this course is part of a study abroad program. Students need to apply through the Office of International Services to enroll. Co-requisite: JSC 681.
Prerequisite(s):
Co-requisite:Global Change, Cooperation and News
JSC 681 Global Change, Cooperation and News
3 credits
This course explores global problems of contemporary importance and their news framing. The class will be broken into cooperative teams that will apply analytic frameworks, research tools and concepts derived from the morning course (JSC 680) to examine a global event, issue or problem as it is represented regionally. Note: this course is part of a study abroad program. Students need to apply through the Office of International Services to enroll. Co-requisite: JSC 680.
Prerequisite(s):
Co-requisite:Global Media Literacy
JSC 687 Digital Media Workshop
3 credits
This course covers specialized professional aspects of media production that are not covered by other major or elective courses. The workshop offers intensive training in particular journalistic fields or genres, and may be given either in a short period or for a full semester. The course may be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite(s):
None
JSC 688 Seminar in Media Studies
3 credits
This seminar covers theoretical and conceptual aspects of journalism, media, film and communication and their relationship to Lebanese and Arab politics and society. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite(s):
None
VIS 743 Advanced Digital Illustration Techniques
3 credits
This advanced digital studio course focuses on creating a series of related illustrations. By creating a character and repeating colors and other visual elements through a series of scenes in addition to advanced techniques in creating 3D objects, lighting effects and placing them in perspective on a plane. The students will develop proficiency in drawing or tracing using illustration software.
Prerequisite(s):
None
INA 825 Comparative Politics
3 credits
This course serves as a graduate-level introduction to the scholarly subfield of comparative politics. The objective is to expose the student to the variety of topics studied in comparative politics, the different theoretical approaches that dominate the subfield, and the methodological tools used to analyze comparative research questions. The course concludes by evaluating the current state of the subfield.
Prerequisite(s):
None
MKT 841 Marketing Management
3 credits
This course shows students how to manage the marketing process for organizations, to optimize the resource use and to maximize the benefits. It focuses on decision-making. Lectures, case studies, discussions and projects engage students in learning how best to manage scarce resources.
Prerequisite(s):
None
MKT 845 Digital Marketing
3 credits
This course covers the concepts, tools and techniques needed both to communicate with customers in a systematic and integrated way using multimedia channels, and to create effective targeted promotional campaigns. The course covers the digital influence on marketing, the basics of web analytics, online consumer metrics, the way to collect and analyze digital data and the framework for measuring digital campaigns, while developing digital strategies. The course also investigates mobile marketing, email marketing and social media.
Prerequisite(s):
None
* Students may substitute these courses with an elective from the respective lists below if they completed their undergraduate equivalent with a B+ grade or higher and/or can demonstrate extensive professional experience in these areas. Substitution of these course will be done through a petition.
About the MA in Multimedia Journalism
Mission Statement
The MA in Multimedia Journalism offers advanced instruction in evolving forms and methods of multimedia journalism, digital innovation, and media research and teaching. The specialized and multidisciplinary program is rooted in the liberal arts tradition and balances theory, research, professional practice, critical inquiry, and pedagogical training. It caters to both current journalists who want to elevate their abilities and skills and newcomers to the profession and field, as well as those seeking preparation for doctoral studies and a career in university-level teaching and research in media studies. The program seeks to prepare students to become innovative, professional, and ethical multimedia journalists, teachers and researchers ready to thrive in a rapidly evolving area. It offers a regional and global scope, focusing on Arab media and society, and instilling principles of freedom of the press, objective and responsible journalism, global citizenship, and civic engagement.
Program Objectives
The MA program has four key objectives:
PO1 (Professional practice): To elevate students’ multimedia journalism production, media design, and digital innovation skills to the highest professional levels.
PO2 (Research): To build students’ scientific research abilities in communication and media studies.
PO3 (Theoretical): To develop students’ theoretical knowledge in the field.
PO4 (Critical Inquiry): To sharpen students’ critical skills and their discernment of the relationship between media and society.
PO5 (Doctoral/Pedagogical): To prepare students for teaching and doctoral studies in the field of communication media education.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the program, students will be able to:
PLO1: Report, write, edit and publish using text, pictures, audio, video, and data to tell multimedia stories effectively at a professional level.
PLO2: Design, produce and assess professional-level multimedia content and innovate journalistic forms.
PLO3: Design, implement, analyze, write and publish scientific research, using qualitative, quantitative, mixed and digital research methodologies and various data forms.
PLO4: Discuss various theoretical traditions within journalism and media studies.
PLO5: Apply theoretical frameworks in research and professional practice.
PLO6: Understand the intersection between news, digital innovation, computer programming, and media design in today’s evolving journalism and media field.
PLO7: Achieve a high level of media literacy by discerning the cultural, economic, and political contexts that affect news media and digital production processes in the Arab region and globally.
PLO8: Apply university-level pedagogical approaches and methods in journalistic teaching and curricular development.
PLO9: Demonstrate requisite theoretical, research and pedagogical knowledge and skills for doctoral studies in the field.
