About the Department

Objective

One of the first journalism programmes in Asia (outside Japan) was started by the University of Madras in 1947. The Dept. has been the pioneer in the introduction of Bachelors, Masters, MPhil and Phd programmes for the first time in Tamil Nadu/South India.

Admission to MA Journalism and Communication, MPhil Journalism and Communication and MSc Electronic Media are based on entrance test scores and marks secured by the applicants in their Bachelors/Masters Degrees. The programmes follow the norms of reservation in admission prescribed by the University of Madras and Government of Tamil Nadu. The applications for the programmes will be invited by the University of Madras through advertisements in newspapers.  

Activities and Field Work Based Learning Student Groups for Writing, Theatre and Ethnographic Activities 24/7 Class Room on Facebook Podcasting of lectures to students in 24/7 class room  

From 2009, the Dept. has made arrangements, tapping the MoUs and its network of foreign contacts, to send at least five students abroad for internship to facilitate better opportunities for higher studies and placement for students. Mr Thevananth and Mr Akmal Rahman of II MSc Electronic Media have been invited by Aalborg University, Denmark for one month internship during January 2010.  

Functional MoU with Hallym University, South Korea. Aalborg University, Denmark, proposes to have a functional MoU with the Dept.in 2010. FOJO Sweden and University of Jaffna support their students for their studies in the Dept.  

To conduct at least three research seminars every year on one leading Tamil newspaper of the present and past and publish the proceedings as a volume. To bring out 10 such research volumes on Tamil Journalism during 2010-2019. Already completed two research seminars on Dinamalar during 2009 and propose to have the third one during January 2010.  

The Dept. launched the Media and Society Seminar Series during 2008-2009 to conduct skill-based workshops and seminars every month, focussing on extended class room learning, research and community linkages. The Department's Experimental Theatre Group Muttram was inaugurated on 25 11 2009 by Col.G.Thiruvasagam, Vice-Chancellor, University of Madras Madras Universitas, students' newspaper, is issued every fortnight. The Dept. has a record of 100% placement for the past several years. The Dept. proposes to have a formal placement process through an in house placement cell shortly.