Art of learning
In our new series, we look at how to go about acquiring a good learning style.
OFTEN HOW you say is as important as what you say. Similarly, how you learn is as important as what you learn. Once a good learning style has been acquired, a student can easily make learning more effective and enjoyable.
It is a fact that a student who follows an unscientific or ineffective method of learning would find the experience drudgery or hard labour.
American historian Henry Brooks Adams (1838-1918) put the idea nicely: "They know enough who know how to learn." This may be read along with the saying attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551 - 479 BC): "I hear I forget, I see I remember, I do I understand."
We come across parents who boast that their children learn till midnight or wake up at four in the morning to study, implying thereby that their learning is very efficient.
How many parents have the patience and common sense to observe the learning styles followed by their children or to analyse the effectiveness of the styles?
You should remember that learning smarter and quicker is more important than learning harder and longer.
Good study habits will in the long run benefit any student. If someone has a poor study habit, it is easier to get it replaced with a good habit, rather than just stop the poor habit.
We often see that smokers who wish to quit the habit are advised to chew something of their choice as a substitute, whenever they feel that they should smoke.
It is not rarely that a student wastes precious time by reading the same essay over and over again every month, without taking care to extract the main points and check how well they have been understood.
A student may passively read the worked examples in a textbook several times, as a part of learning numerical problems in mathematics or science. He/she may gaze at a sketch or figure in the textbook for a few minutes and try to believe that he/she has learnt it well.
But in the examination hall, students who have followed such defective styles may discover their inability to solve numerical problems, or draw the sketches independently. These are just indicative of what may result from incorrect or ineffective methods of study.
Working out
Numerical problems have to be solved independently by the student. He/she may have some difficulties. These hitches can be overcome by referring to the textbook, after which the student will be able to solve similar problems with ease and confidence.
Similarly, while learning, the figures have to be sketched from memory and hitches solved by referring to the textbook, until you reach stage when you can easily draw it from memory.
These facts point to the need for proper study skills. The time spent on mastering some of the basic learning methods is no waste of time, but it is a worthy investment that will certainly yield great profits in course of time. Learning properly is a habit. Once it is developed, you would learn more in a given time, and learn more effectively so that you can apply what you have learnt in any new environment.
You have to be active and enthusiastic while learning. You should not adopt a totally relaxed pose. Lying down while reading is not desirable. `Sit straight and read' is a good direction that may be followed.
Learning by heart
Should you learn your lessons by heart? In the first place, such learning is not physically possible in higher classes, because of sheer volume of the lessons. Rote learning consumes enormous time, which could be utilised better in other learning activities. Further, learning by rote without understanding the content is no learning at all. That is why this method is usually not recommended.
However, it is advisable to learn poems by heart, thrilling passages, quotes of great people and definitions in science subjects. Definitions are often framed using minimum words with maximum content, paying attention to precision and accuracy. You should not imagine that there is only one way to acquiring effective study habits. There are indeed several highways and byways, intersections and road signs. Each student has to choose whatever suits him/her the best.
You can, however, adopt some of the commonly accepted styles and techniques. There can be individual modifications to meet specific needs.
The first step to developing study skills is the preparation of a workable timetable. It should provide time not only for learning from the textbook, but also for all essential activities of the student. What you should aim at is not being a glorified bookworm, but an individual endowed with sound personality traits.
Making an over-ambitious timetable and then failing to follow it is common. That is why you should take into account the ground realities of student life before blindly drafting a tight schedule, ignoring your diverse pursuits.
The timetable should have the following characteristics:
- Appropriate duration for each subject of study. This has to take into consideration individual variations in inherent aptitude and interest in different subjects.
- Wherever possible, variety in the arrangement of the subjects so that the tasks involved change as the subjects change. For example, learning poetry by heart is different from doing numerical problems or drawing sketches in a science subject.
- You should not attempt to learn the same subject continuously for long hours at a stretch. There has to be a sequence that counters monotony.
- Brief breaks between different subjects, enabling the student to refresh him/herself.
- Necessary durations for co-curricular or extra-curricular activities, domestic chores, extra reading, rest, games, relaxation, and entertainment.
- Study hours to suit the personal preferences of the pupil. Some may choose to work late at night, whereas some others may prefer the early morning hours. Many parents often insist that certain specific hours dictated by them be followed by their children. This may hamper their learning efficiency.
- Separate schedules for working days and holidays.
- Essential flexibility in the schedules for accommodating unexpected events.
- Apart from the daily timetable, there should be a monthly timetable and an annual chart that reflects our overall planning.
- Redraft the timetable every month, in the light of previous levels of achievements.
Irrespective of what the timetable dictates, you should remember that studying while you are mentally fatigued is not effective. If there are very difficult lessons, they may be scheduled for the hours when you are most active and alert.
*******
Are you lucky?
Monday, June 4, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
Vidya Ram tops class at Columbia University's journalism school
Vidya Ram, 27, from Chennai was designated the top student in the Class of 2007 of the Graduate School of Journalism of Columbia University, New York.
Ms. Ram topped a list of 28 honours students in the school's M.S. programme. She was also awarded a Pulitzer travelling fellowship. These fellowships are given to five outstanding graduates to enable them to study and travel abroad. Ms. Ram plans to use her Pulitzer fellowship travelling to, and writing about, China.
Ms. Ram's classmates gave her a big round of applause when the school announced on Journalism Day, the day before the convocation, that she was the student of the year. It is very rare for a foreign student to win top honours at the school.
More than 250 M.S. programme students took their degrees along with Ms. Ram at the May 16 convocation of one of the world's premier journalism schools. Ben Bradlee, vice-president at large of The Washington Post, gave the commencement address to students, faculty, and parents. He received the school's highest honour, the Columbia Journalism Award.
Ms. Ram is the daughter of N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, who is an alumnus of the Columbia University journalism school. She studied at Sishya, Chennai, Oxford University, and the London School of Economics before going to Columbia University. Ms. Ram spent a year teaching English in Harbin, China; interned at The Hindu group's Frontline magazine in 2001-2002; and subsequently worked at the Hansard Society in London.
Ms. Ram topped a list of 28 honours students in the school's M.S. programme. She was also awarded a Pulitzer travelling fellowship. These fellowships are given to five outstanding graduates to enable them to study and travel abroad. Ms. Ram plans to use her Pulitzer fellowship travelling to, and writing about, China.
Ms. Ram's classmates gave her a big round of applause when the school announced on Journalism Day, the day before the convocation, that she was the student of the year. It is very rare for a foreign student to win top honours at the school.
More than 250 M.S. programme students took their degrees along with Ms. Ram at the May 16 convocation of one of the world's premier journalism schools. Ben Bradlee, vice-president at large of The Washington Post, gave the commencement address to students, faculty, and parents. He received the school's highest honour, the Columbia Journalism Award.
Ms. Ram is the daughter of N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, who is an alumnus of the Columbia University journalism school. She studied at Sishya, Chennai, Oxford University, and the London School of Economics before going to Columbia University. Ms. Ram spent a year teaching English in Harbin, China; interned at The Hindu group's Frontline magazine in 2001-2002; and subsequently worked at the Hansard Society in London.
source: The Hindu
Sunday, May 13, 2007
general KNOWLEDGE http://pigmediacraft.weebly.com
Sholay makes it to textbooks in MP
Guna (Madhya Pradesh): In Madhya Pradesh, Ramesh Sippy's blockbuster Sholay isn't just a movie any more, it's part of every child's education.
Miss India 2007
MUMBAI, APR 8 (UNI):- Femina Miss India beauty pageant winner Puja Chitgope Kar (L), Miss India Earth Sarah Gane Dias (C) and Miss India World Puja Gupta (R) in Mumbai on Sunday. UNI PHOTO-133U
TV9 to launch 5 channels, plans Rs 1.55 billion investment
Hyderabad-based Associated Broadcasting Company Pvt Ltd (ABCL), which operates in the news space under the TV9 brand, is planning to launch a string of channels with an investment outlay of Rs 1.55 billion.
79th Oscar winners
Actors Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Hudson, Helen Mirren and Alan Arkin pose backstage with their Oscars during the 79th Academy Awards, in Los Angeles. Whitaker and Mirren won for best actor and Hudson and Arkin won for best supporting actor
79TH OSCAR best director
Director Martin Scorsese holds up his Oscar for best director for his work on "The Departed" as he arrives at the annual Vanity Fair Oscar party at Morton's in West Hollywood, California.
2007 republic day chief guest
President Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Russian President, Vladimir Putin, on their arrival for the 58th Republic Day celebrations at Raj Path, New Delhi.
PSLV C7 LAUNCH
PSLV-C7 bearing 4 satellites lifts off from Sathish Dhawan Space centre, Sriharikotta on Wednesday. It successfully put all the four satellites into orbit
Highest wickets in world cup
Glenn McGrath gives the thumbs-up to the crowd after becoming the highest wicket-taker in World Cup history
OU 77TH Convocation
President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam blessing a student at the 77th Convocation of Osmania University being held at the campus in Hyderabad on February 01, 2007
Kiran Desai
KIRAN DESAI, AUTHOR, THE INHERITANCE OF LOSS, WINNER, MAN BOOKER PRIZE, VISITS, BANGALORE
Shetty wins Celebrity Big Brother
Shilpa Shetty, the Bollywood actress at the centre of the race row that dominated Celebrity Big Brother, has been named this year's winner.
Sanath Jayasuria
He currently holds the record fastest fifty in ODIs, scored off just 17 balls. Jayasuria was the previous record-holder for the fastest century (off 48 balls), before losing that claim to Shahid Afridi of Pakistan. He has hit 231 sixes in one day internationals (ODIs) and currently holds the world record for most ODI sixes.
Roger Federer
Roger Federer underlined his 10th Grand Slam singles title by winning 21 straight sets, saving a set point in Sunday's final before finishing off Fernando Gonzalez 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4 Herschelle Gibbs smashes a record six sixes in an over
Herschelle Gibbs
Herschelle Gibbs smashes a record six sixes in an over
Herschelle Gibbs's six sixes off Dan van Bunge's (Netherlands) fourth over was a record for international matches
Hayden hits fastest World Cup century
On March 24th 2007, at the 2007 Cricket World Cup, Hayden scored the fastest World Cup century against South Africa in just 66 balls
Amitabh Bachchan
Caption: NEW DELHI: Amitabh Bachchan (R) poses with his wife Jaya Bachchan (C), son Abhishek Bachchan (L), soon to be daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai (2-L) and daughter Shweta Nanda during a function at the French Embassy in New Delhi on January 27, 2007. Amitabh Bachchan was conferred the top French honour of 'Officer of the Legion of Honour'. Photo: Sandeep Saxena
Brian Charles Lara
Brian Charles Lara (born May 2, 1969) (nicknamed "The Prince of Port-of-Spain" or simply "The Prince") is a record-breaking cricketer who is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen ever. : highest individual innings (400 against England) and the all-time leading run scorer. He also holds the record for the highest individual score in first class cricket, with a total of 501* for Warwickshire against Durham at Edgbaston in 1994. Played 299 ODIs, Tests 131. "I hold West Indies cricket close to my heart. I've spent 17 years playing. It's been testimony that I've been out there working very hard, toiling for West Indies cricket. I've enjoyed every single day I've played. It's been a very good run but at some point it has to come to an end," the Trinidadian left hander said. "I'm a student of the game. I've read a lot and I know the history of West Indies cricket and I know what it means to the people." Lara, who has captained the West Indies three times, has scored 11,953 runs in 131 tests and 10,405 runs in 299 one-day internationals.
Prof. Muhammad Yunus
Caption: Prof. Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Laureate and Chief Architect of Grameen Bank of Bangladesh at a special session in New Delhi on January 30, 2007
September 28, 2006:Sania Mirza defeated Martina Hingis
Sania Mirza defeated Martina Hingis (ranked 8th in the world) 4-6, 6-0, 6-4 in the Korea Open. Hingis had knocked Mirza out of the semifinals of the Sunfeast Open last week
Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai
The wedding ceremony of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, which was held on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya(April 20,2007), climaxed three days of festivities starting from a sangeet function and the traditional mehendi ceremony.
PSLV makes commercial launch
SRIHARIKOTA : The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday successfully made the first commercial launch of a foreign satellite through the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C8). Italian satellite, Agile, weighing 352 kg, was placed in a precise orbit about 550 km above the earth.
Virginia massacre
A student from South Korea, Cho Seung-Hui,23, opened fire in a dormitory and a classroom at Virginia Tech University campus on April 16 morning, killing 33 and injuring 12 people. An India professor and an Indian student were among his victims.
Gujarat MP Babubhai Katara
Gujarat MP Babubhai Katara was arrested on April 18 when he was about to board an Air India flight to Toronto along with a woman and a teenaged boy on the passports of his wife and son. The BJP suspended Babubhai from the party, and a Delhi court remanded the suspended MP to 10 days police custody for cheating and impersonation
Lara bye-bye
West Indies captain Brian Lara announced retirement from all international cricket after the team’s world cup match against England on April 20
Shaadi No. 1
It’s the mother of all weddings in Bollywood. Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan tied the knot on April 20 at Amitabh Bachchan’s Juhu bunglow in the presence of elite VIPs
Virginia Killer
A student from South Korea, Cho Seung-Hui, 23, opened fire in a dormitory and a classroom at Virginia Tech University campus on April 16 morning, killing 33 and injuring 12 people. An Indian professor G V Loganathan and an Indian student were among his victims.
Lara’s final match
Brian Lara walks through a guard of honour to start his final innings, England v
West Indies, Super Eights, Barbados, April 21, 2007
Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga enjoys the moment after taking four wickets with consecutive deliveries against South Africa. It is a world record known as the double hattrick.
Stephen Hawking
In this handout photo provided by Zero Gravity Corp., astrophysicist Stephen Hawking floats on a zero-gravity jet on Thursday. The modified jet carrying Hawking, a handful of his physicians and nurses, and dozens of others first flew up to 24,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean off Florida. Nurses lifted Hawking and carried him to the front of the jet, where they placed him on his back atop a special foam pillow. The plane made a total of eight parabolic dips, including two during which Hawking made two weightless flips like “a gold-medal gymnast”, said Peter Diamandis, chairman of Zero Gravity Corp., the company that owns the jet
Richard Gere
Actor Richard Gere has sparked protests in India after kissing Celebrity Big Brother winner Shilpa Shetty at an Aids awareness rally in New Delhi.
1996 cricket world cup
Sri Lanka celebrate - watched by Warne, McGrath and Bucknor
Bob Woolmer
Pakistan's cricket coach Bob Woolmer was murdered in his hotel room on Sunday after the team's World Cup shock defeat to Ireland, Jamaican police say.
Amitabh Bachchan and Chiranjeevi
The Telugu Film industry garlands Amitabh Bachchan and Chiranjeevi for getting Padma Bhushan during the felicitation function at Gacchibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad on April 23, 2006.
Ms Indra Nooyi
Trade & Industry: 2007: United States: PepsiCo Chief and Padma Bhushan Award.
Ratan Tata
India's Tata Steel has won the battle to take over the Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus by making a £5.75bn ($11.3bn) bid.
Tata chairman Ratan Tata is not among the Forbes' list of 40 richest Indians around the world.
Dainik Jagran
The largest circulated daily in India
Karnam Malleswari
First woman Olympic Medalist for India (2000)
Koneru Humpy
Koneru Humpy got India its first gold after she defeated Aketayeva in the Doha Asiad
Arvind Kejriwal
2006 Ramon Magsaysay award for Emergent Leadership. He won it for activating India’s right to information movement at the grassroots, and empowering New Delhi’s poorest citizens to fight corruption by holding a government answerable to the people.
Shakira
Colombian singer and 10-time Grammy award winner Shakira performed in Mumbai.
Rakeysh Mehra
Best director award winner – Filmfare for Ran De Basanti
Tiger Woods
Highest earning sport person.
Maria Sharapova
Highest earning sport women
Stephen Hawking
In this handout photo provided by Zero Gravity Corp., astrophysicist Stephen Hawking floats on a zero-gravity jet on Thursday. The modified jet carrying Hawking, a handful of his physicians and nurses, and dozens of others first flew up to 24,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean off Florida. Nurses lifted Hawking and carried him to the front of the jet, where they placed him on his back atop a special foam pillow. The plane made a total of eight parabolic dips, including two during which Hawking made two weightless flips like “a gold-medal gymnast”, said Peter Diamandis, chairman of Zero Gravity Corp., the company that owns the jet
Amartya Sen
Nobel Laureate, author of Argumentative Indian
Liz Hurley and Arun Nayar
The Indian lege of their wedding celebrations With the final even held in Jodhpur, the line up to the big day was peppered with a whirl of glamourous parties in the city for the golden couple.
Pankaj Advani
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee, snooker champion
Glenn McGrath:
Player of the tournament: 2007 cricket world cup
Australia 2007 cup winner
Third World Cup in a row, fourth overall. Has there been any greater side to take the field
Angelina Jolie
Hollywood star Angelina Jolie continued shooting for the film A Mighty Heart in Mumbai. The film is based on the life of slain Wall Street Journal correspondent Daniel Pearl.
Shilpa Shetty
According to a recent yahoo.com search engine database, Shilpa leads in the search of her name the world over, preceding names like Angelina Jolie, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Beyonce Knowles, Brad Pitt, Britney Spears, Carmen Electra, Drew Barrymore, Eva Longoria, Halle Berry, Harry Potter, Hilary Duff, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, Lindsay Lohan, Pamela Anderson, Paris Hilton and Tobey Maguire.
Dixie Chicks
The clean sweep by the Dixie Chicks as tops in all five categories in which they were nominated for Grammys—Best Country Album and Album of the Year for Taking the Long Way, and Song and Record of the Year plus Country/Group Duo for “Not Ready to Make Nice,” their defiant single release from that album, their first since they criticized George W. Bush in London in 2003, and were vilified and ostracized by the Country Music Establishment for it, is an important milestone for us of the left, and a cause for celebration that we, just like the Dixie Chicks, will eventually be vindicated for our open resistance and refusal to back down.
It’s all nice, so nice.
Britney Spears
Spears, 25, is the biggest-selling female artist of the 2000s with more than 70 million records sold. In 2002, she was ranked the most powerful celebrity in the world by Forbes Magazine. The same year she earned a Razzie Award for worst actress for her movie debut 'Crossroads.
Leander Paes with Sania Mirza
Leander Paes set the Asian Games tennis arena ablaze by grabbing two gold medals as he claimed the men's doubles title and then paired up with Sania Mirza to bag the mixed doubles crown with a hard-fought victory over their Japanese rivals
Queen Mary 2
World’s largest, tallest and most expensive cruise liner queen Mary 2 having a capacity of 2500 passengers on board.
Wax museum at Madame Tussaud's London
Shah Rukh Khan joined with Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai in the wax museum at Madame Tussaud's London. Amitabh Bachchan's wax statue at Madame Tussaud's is believed to be watched by 25 lakh visitors to the wax museum every year. The museum, every year, unveils a total of just 15 statues.
US photographer Spencer Platt wins premier award
The international jury of the 50th annual World Press Photo Contest selected a color image of the US photographer Spencer Platt of Getty Images as World Press Photo of the Year 2006
Queen of Pop Madonna crowned highest earning female singer on earth
Madonna is the highest-earning female singer on earth, her account books reveal.
The mother-of-two, who turned 48 last month, is reportedly making £26.6 million a year.
The Guinness Book of Records reported that the figure now makes her the top-ranking female singing artist in terms of earnings.
She has now knocked Britney Spears off the No1 spot. Britney has been on top - earning £20.5 million a year - since 2001
Pulitzer first prize for breaking news photo
BREAKING NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY (US$10,000)
Awarded to Oded Balilty of The Associated Press for his powerful photograph of a lone Jewish woman defying Israeli security forces as they remove illegal settlers in the West Bank.
A lone Jewish settler challenges Israeli security officers during clashes that erupted as authorities cleared the West Bank settlement of Amona, east of the Palestinian town of Ramallah. Thousands of troops in riot gear and on horseback clashed with hundreds of stone-throwing Jewish settlers holed up in this illegal West Bank outpost after Israel’s Supreme Court cleared the way of demolition of nine homes at the site
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY (US$10,000)
Awarded to Renée C. Byer of The Sacramento Bee for her intimate portrayal of a single mother and her young son as he loses his battle with cancer.
Guna (Madhya Pradesh): In Madhya Pradesh, Ramesh Sippy's blockbuster Sholay isn't just a movie any more, it's part of every child's education.
Miss India 2007
MUMBAI, APR 8 (UNI):- Femina Miss India beauty pageant winner Puja Chitgope Kar (L), Miss India Earth Sarah Gane Dias (C) and Miss India World Puja Gupta (R) in Mumbai on Sunday. UNI PHOTO-133U
TV9 to launch 5 channels, plans Rs 1.55 billion investment
Hyderabad-based Associated Broadcasting Company Pvt Ltd (ABCL), which operates in the news space under the TV9 brand, is planning to launch a string of channels with an investment outlay of Rs 1.55 billion.
79th Oscar winners
Actors Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Hudson, Helen Mirren and Alan Arkin pose backstage with their Oscars during the 79th Academy Awards, in Los Angeles. Whitaker and Mirren won for best actor and Hudson and Arkin won for best supporting actor
79TH OSCAR best director
Director Martin Scorsese holds up his Oscar for best director for his work on "The Departed" as he arrives at the annual Vanity Fair Oscar party at Morton's in West Hollywood, California.
2007 republic day chief guest
President Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Russian President, Vladimir Putin, on their arrival for the 58th Republic Day celebrations at Raj Path, New Delhi.
PSLV C7 LAUNCH
PSLV-C7 bearing 4 satellites lifts off from Sathish Dhawan Space centre, Sriharikotta on Wednesday. It successfully put all the four satellites into orbit
Highest wickets in world cup
Glenn McGrath gives the thumbs-up to the crowd after becoming the highest wicket-taker in World Cup history
OU 77TH Convocation
President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam blessing a student at the 77th Convocation of Osmania University being held at the campus in Hyderabad on February 01, 2007
Kiran Desai
KIRAN DESAI, AUTHOR, THE INHERITANCE OF LOSS, WINNER, MAN BOOKER PRIZE, VISITS, BANGALORE
Shetty wins Celebrity Big Brother
Shilpa Shetty, the Bollywood actress at the centre of the race row that dominated Celebrity Big Brother, has been named this year's winner.
Sanath Jayasuria
He currently holds the record fastest fifty in ODIs, scored off just 17 balls. Jayasuria was the previous record-holder for the fastest century (off 48 balls), before losing that claim to Shahid Afridi of Pakistan. He has hit 231 sixes in one day internationals (ODIs) and currently holds the world record for most ODI sixes.
Roger Federer
Roger Federer underlined his 10th Grand Slam singles title by winning 21 straight sets, saving a set point in Sunday's final before finishing off Fernando Gonzalez 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4 Herschelle Gibbs smashes a record six sixes in an over
Herschelle Gibbs
Herschelle Gibbs smashes a record six sixes in an over
Herschelle Gibbs's six sixes off Dan van Bunge's (Netherlands) fourth over was a record for international matches
Hayden hits fastest World Cup century
On March 24th 2007, at the 2007 Cricket World Cup, Hayden scored the fastest World Cup century against South Africa in just 66 balls
Amitabh Bachchan
Caption: NEW DELHI: Amitabh Bachchan (R) poses with his wife Jaya Bachchan (C), son Abhishek Bachchan (L), soon to be daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai (2-L) and daughter Shweta Nanda during a function at the French Embassy in New Delhi on January 27, 2007. Amitabh Bachchan was conferred the top French honour of 'Officer of the Legion of Honour'. Photo: Sandeep Saxena
Brian Charles Lara
Brian Charles Lara (born May 2, 1969) (nicknamed "The Prince of Port-of-Spain" or simply "The Prince") is a record-breaking cricketer who is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen ever. : highest individual innings (400 against England) and the all-time leading run scorer. He also holds the record for the highest individual score in first class cricket, with a total of 501* for Warwickshire against Durham at Edgbaston in 1994. Played 299 ODIs, Tests 131. "I hold West Indies cricket close to my heart. I've spent 17 years playing. It's been testimony that I've been out there working very hard, toiling for West Indies cricket. I've enjoyed every single day I've played. It's been a very good run but at some point it has to come to an end," the Trinidadian left hander said. "I'm a student of the game. I've read a lot and I know the history of West Indies cricket and I know what it means to the people." Lara, who has captained the West Indies three times, has scored 11,953 runs in 131 tests and 10,405 runs in 299 one-day internationals.
Prof. Muhammad Yunus
Caption: Prof. Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Laureate and Chief Architect of Grameen Bank of Bangladesh at a special session in New Delhi on January 30, 2007
September 28, 2006:Sania Mirza defeated Martina Hingis
Sania Mirza defeated Martina Hingis (ranked 8th in the world) 4-6, 6-0, 6-4 in the Korea Open. Hingis had knocked Mirza out of the semifinals of the Sunfeast Open last week
Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai
The wedding ceremony of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, which was held on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya(April 20,2007), climaxed three days of festivities starting from a sangeet function and the traditional mehendi ceremony.
PSLV makes commercial launch
SRIHARIKOTA : The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday successfully made the first commercial launch of a foreign satellite through the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C8). Italian satellite, Agile, weighing 352 kg, was placed in a precise orbit about 550 km above the earth.
Virginia massacre
A student from South Korea, Cho Seung-Hui,23, opened fire in a dormitory and a classroom at Virginia Tech University campus on April 16 morning, killing 33 and injuring 12 people. An India professor and an Indian student were among his victims.
Gujarat MP Babubhai Katara
Gujarat MP Babubhai Katara was arrested on April 18 when he was about to board an Air India flight to Toronto along with a woman and a teenaged boy on the passports of his wife and son. The BJP suspended Babubhai from the party, and a Delhi court remanded the suspended MP to 10 days police custody for cheating and impersonation
Lara bye-bye
West Indies captain Brian Lara announced retirement from all international cricket after the team’s world cup match against England on April 20
Shaadi No. 1
It’s the mother of all weddings in Bollywood. Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan tied the knot on April 20 at Amitabh Bachchan’s Juhu bunglow in the presence of elite VIPs
Virginia Killer
A student from South Korea, Cho Seung-Hui, 23, opened fire in a dormitory and a classroom at Virginia Tech University campus on April 16 morning, killing 33 and injuring 12 people. An Indian professor G V Loganathan and an Indian student were among his victims.
Lara’s final match
Brian Lara walks through a guard of honour to start his final innings, England v
West Indies, Super Eights, Barbados, April 21, 2007
Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga enjoys the moment after taking four wickets with consecutive deliveries against South Africa. It is a world record known as the double hattrick.
Stephen Hawking
In this handout photo provided by Zero Gravity Corp., astrophysicist Stephen Hawking floats on a zero-gravity jet on Thursday. The modified jet carrying Hawking, a handful of his physicians and nurses, and dozens of others first flew up to 24,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean off Florida. Nurses lifted Hawking and carried him to the front of the jet, where they placed him on his back atop a special foam pillow. The plane made a total of eight parabolic dips, including two during which Hawking made two weightless flips like “a gold-medal gymnast”, said Peter Diamandis, chairman of Zero Gravity Corp., the company that owns the jet
Richard Gere
Actor Richard Gere has sparked protests in India after kissing Celebrity Big Brother winner Shilpa Shetty at an Aids awareness rally in New Delhi.
1996 cricket world cup
Sri Lanka celebrate - watched by Warne, McGrath and Bucknor
Bob Woolmer
Pakistan's cricket coach Bob Woolmer was murdered in his hotel room on Sunday after the team's World Cup shock defeat to Ireland, Jamaican police say.
Amitabh Bachchan and Chiranjeevi
The Telugu Film industry garlands Amitabh Bachchan and Chiranjeevi for getting Padma Bhushan during the felicitation function at Gacchibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad on April 23, 2006.
Ms Indra Nooyi
Trade & Industry: 2007: United States: PepsiCo Chief and Padma Bhushan Award.
Ratan Tata
India's Tata Steel has won the battle to take over the Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus by making a £5.75bn ($11.3bn) bid.
Tata chairman Ratan Tata is not among the Forbes' list of 40 richest Indians around the world.
Dainik Jagran
The largest circulated daily in India
Karnam Malleswari
First woman Olympic Medalist for India (2000)
Koneru Humpy
Koneru Humpy got India its first gold after she defeated Aketayeva in the Doha Asiad
Arvind Kejriwal
2006 Ramon Magsaysay award for Emergent Leadership. He won it for activating India’s right to information movement at the grassroots, and empowering New Delhi’s poorest citizens to fight corruption by holding a government answerable to the people.
Shakira
Colombian singer and 10-time Grammy award winner Shakira performed in Mumbai.
Rakeysh Mehra
Best director award winner – Filmfare for Ran De Basanti
Tiger Woods
Highest earning sport person.
Maria Sharapova
Highest earning sport women
Stephen Hawking
In this handout photo provided by Zero Gravity Corp., astrophysicist Stephen Hawking floats on a zero-gravity jet on Thursday. The modified jet carrying Hawking, a handful of his physicians and nurses, and dozens of others first flew up to 24,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean off Florida. Nurses lifted Hawking and carried him to the front of the jet, where they placed him on his back atop a special foam pillow. The plane made a total of eight parabolic dips, including two during which Hawking made two weightless flips like “a gold-medal gymnast”, said Peter Diamandis, chairman of Zero Gravity Corp., the company that owns the jet
Amartya Sen
Nobel Laureate, author of Argumentative Indian
Liz Hurley and Arun Nayar
The Indian lege of their wedding celebrations With the final even held in Jodhpur, the line up to the big day was peppered with a whirl of glamourous parties in the city for the golden couple.
Pankaj Advani
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee, snooker champion
Glenn McGrath:
Player of the tournament: 2007 cricket world cup
Australia 2007 cup winner
Third World Cup in a row, fourth overall. Has there been any greater side to take the field
Angelina Jolie
Hollywood star Angelina Jolie continued shooting for the film A Mighty Heart in Mumbai. The film is based on the life of slain Wall Street Journal correspondent Daniel Pearl.
Shilpa Shetty
According to a recent yahoo.com search engine database, Shilpa leads in the search of her name the world over, preceding names like Angelina Jolie, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Beyonce Knowles, Brad Pitt, Britney Spears, Carmen Electra, Drew Barrymore, Eva Longoria, Halle Berry, Harry Potter, Hilary Duff, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, Lindsay Lohan, Pamela Anderson, Paris Hilton and Tobey Maguire.
Dixie Chicks
The clean sweep by the Dixie Chicks as tops in all five categories in which they were nominated for Grammys—Best Country Album and Album of the Year for Taking the Long Way, and Song and Record of the Year plus Country/Group Duo for “Not Ready to Make Nice,” their defiant single release from that album, their first since they criticized George W. Bush in London in 2003, and were vilified and ostracized by the Country Music Establishment for it, is an important milestone for us of the left, and a cause for celebration that we, just like the Dixie Chicks, will eventually be vindicated for our open resistance and refusal to back down.
It’s all nice, so nice.
Britney Spears
Spears, 25, is the biggest-selling female artist of the 2000s with more than 70 million records sold. In 2002, she was ranked the most powerful celebrity in the world by Forbes Magazine. The same year she earned a Razzie Award for worst actress for her movie debut 'Crossroads.
Leander Paes with Sania Mirza
Leander Paes set the Asian Games tennis arena ablaze by grabbing two gold medals as he claimed the men's doubles title and then paired up with Sania Mirza to bag the mixed doubles crown with a hard-fought victory over their Japanese rivals
Queen Mary 2
World’s largest, tallest and most expensive cruise liner queen Mary 2 having a capacity of 2500 passengers on board.
Wax museum at Madame Tussaud's London
Shah Rukh Khan joined with Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai in the wax museum at Madame Tussaud's London. Amitabh Bachchan's wax statue at Madame Tussaud's is believed to be watched by 25 lakh visitors to the wax museum every year. The museum, every year, unveils a total of just 15 statues.
US photographer Spencer Platt wins premier award
The international jury of the 50th annual World Press Photo Contest selected a color image of the US photographer Spencer Platt of Getty Images as World Press Photo of the Year 2006
Queen of Pop Madonna crowned highest earning female singer on earth
Madonna is the highest-earning female singer on earth, her account books reveal.
The mother-of-two, who turned 48 last month, is reportedly making £26.6 million a year.
The Guinness Book of Records reported that the figure now makes her the top-ranking female singing artist in terms of earnings.
She has now knocked Britney Spears off the No1 spot. Britney has been on top - earning £20.5 million a year - since 2001
Pulitzer first prize for breaking news photo
BREAKING NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY (US$10,000)
Awarded to Oded Balilty of The Associated Press for his powerful photograph of a lone Jewish woman defying Israeli security forces as they remove illegal settlers in the West Bank.
A lone Jewish settler challenges Israeli security officers during clashes that erupted as authorities cleared the West Bank settlement of Amona, east of the Palestinian town of Ramallah. Thousands of troops in riot gear and on horseback clashed with hundreds of stone-throwing Jewish settlers holed up in this illegal West Bank outpost after Israel’s Supreme Court cleared the way of demolition of nine homes at the site
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY (US$10,000)
Awarded to Renée C. Byer of The Sacramento Bee for her intimate portrayal of a single mother and her young son as he loses his battle with cancer.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Osmania University BCJ (bachelor of communication and journalism)
Osmania University BCJ (bachelor of communication and journalism)
2006-07 academic year
I semester
B1: Introduction to Communication and Mass Media
Unit1: Introduction to Communication. Nature, process and elements of communication. Functions and barriers of communication. Typology of communication – interpersonal, intra personal, group, mass communication.
Unit II: Mass communication characteristics, concept of gate keeping. Communication Models – Shannon and Weaver, Osgood and Schramm. Two step flow hypothesis, multi-step flow of communication.
Unit III: Communication effects, early perceptions, concepts – agenda setting, cultivation, uses and gratification. Roger’s theory of Diffusion of innovation.
Unit IV: Mass Media status: Print media, Broadcast media, New media, Advertising / PR Traditional media, New media technologies – satellite, cable, digital, internet, Mass media audiences, Issue of ownership, cross media ownership
Unit V: Media history: Print media – pre Independence, post Independence (Major issues, land marks), Regional language Press, Broadcast media, commissions of inquiry.
B2: Reporting and Editing-I
Unit I: Reporter – role, duties and qualities. The news process- from event to the reader. Concepts and definition of news as relevant to India. Basic components of a news story – attribution, verification; balance and fairness, brevity. News sources, gathering facts, Different forms of reporting – spot news / live reporting – Reporting public affairs, meetings, conferences, seminars, cultural, civic and social events, Mofussil reporting.
Unit II: Crime, legislature, courts and sports reporting. Investigative, interpretative, trend, in depth and advocacy reporting. Building and using background. Reporting fashion and lifestyle, writing curtain raisers, interviewing techiniques.
Unit III: Organisational structure of a newspaper’s editorial department. Role and functions of and editor, news editor and sub-editors. Qualities of a sub-editor. The news process: Sources of news. Different types of copy – Agency copy, Bureau copy, Mofussil Copy. News values and selection of news. Different Desks – General sports etc.
Unit IV: The editing process – symbols, handling various types of copy; Re-writing, translation, Integrating, Updating; Referencing; Proof reading, style book/sheet. Electronic editing. Headlines – functions, types, patterns of headlines. Unit count. Headline schedule. News schedule, Planning of pages and editions, editing supplements, features and special pages.
Unit V: Development and growth of printing. Desk Top Publishing, Printing process, Different methods of printing – Offset, Gravure and screen printing. Off-set printing process, advantages and disadvantages, Typography: Types and families, Type sizes. Reproduction of art and photographs, selection and editing of photographs.
B3: Advertising
Unit I: Advertising – Its relationship with Mass Communication, as a part of the marketing mix. Difference between publicity and advertising, advertising and Public Relations. Advertising definitions, functions.
Unit II: Classification of Advertising based on demand, media, objectives, different consumers to be reached, stages in the product life cycle, personnel involved-vertical /horizontal etc. Product, institutional, financial, social, political, government, classified and display.
Unit III: Advertising agency – Structure and functions of the various department of the Advertising Agency. Client servicing, creative media, production etc. Media Types of Media – Radio, newspapers, magazines, television, outdoor, specialty, internet, Relative merits & demerits, Basics of media planning and scheduling – Importance of media tariff, sources of information for media planning and scheduling –ORG, ABC, Readership surveys
Unit IV: Campaign Planning & Execution, Brief – Collection of Information, Analysis of market, Target Audience, Budget, Creative strategy and concepts; Creative themes and appeals Copy- Elements of an Advertisement, Functions of headline and copy, Types of copy for different media, Layout, Types of Layout, Principles of Design and lay out production process for print ads, Radio jingles, spots, commercials, TV commercials and Films (Script writing), Printed Literature. Direct Advertising, Point of Purchase
Unit V: Evaluation and Regulation of Advertising – Copy research – Pre testing and post testing Ethics, Codes and laws related to advertising, Professional bodies AAAI,ISA,ASCI, INS, Consumer associations Act. Advertising in India, role in economic development Trends (Case studies and Workshops in copy writing, media planning, campaign planning)
B4: Electronic Media and Film
Unit I: Introduction to broadcasting: Radio as a Medium of Mass Communication, Evolution and growth of All India Radio and Doordarshan, Prasar Bharathi – structure, objectives and role. Growth of private television channels. Emerging trends in radio broadcasting – FM, Digital, satellite
Unit II: Radio production, Programmes for various audiences, Different Programme format, creating audio space, sound perspective, voice casting, types of music, use of sound effects. Production crew and their functions: Role of producer. Production planning and execution. Radio studio, acoustics, recording equipment, types and use of microphones, Use of Digital Technology in production.
Unit III: Television technology: broadcasting standards, PAL, NTSC and SECAM. Broadcast chain, Production equipment – cameras, microphones and lights. Special effects generators, digital video effects, Character Generator, computer graphic work stations. TV stations. TV studio layout, TV production – studio and field production, TV staff and crew, their functions. Programme formats, Proposal writing, Script writing – outline, treatment, visualization, shooting script.
Unit IV: Production process – pre-production, set up and rehearsal, production and post production. Classification of shots, techniques of audio production. Television news production, scripting for TV documentaries. Linear and Non-linear editing, voice over, dubbing, mixing and final mastering. TV Direction; Shot division, Blocking the script, story board, time line and budgeting.
Unit V: A brief history of Indian cinema. Film technology. Elements of film – script, cinematography, editing, music and direction. Process of film making – shooting, editing, dubbing, mixing, married print. Film genres, Art and commercial films, parallel cinema. Film appreciation. Critical Study of films of important art and commercial film makers. Trends in contemporary cinema. Film review and criticism, Script writing for documentaries. NFDC, FTII.
Exercises in reporting, script writing and television production
II Semester:-
B5: Reporting and Editing II
Unit I: reporting conflicts, calamities, disasters. Issues in development reporting, environment, education, ecology, health, industry, business, agriculture, consumer issues, gender issues, Computer Aided Reporting (CAR)
Unit II: Editorial writing – concept, Types of editorials, policy, conferences, Letters to the Editor, edit page articles, Middles.
Feature writing: Characteristics of features, types of features, difference between articles and features; survey of market for features; Review and criticism, types of columns, techniques of column writing, columnists.
Unit III: Use of computers in editing. Editing mofussil copy, translation, integrating, updating, and planning of pages and editions. Editing supplements, features and special pages.
Unit IV: Process of colour printing, use of colour, use of colour photographs. Digital printing. Page Design and Layout, Use of new technologies: Internet, VSAT.
Unit V: Newspaper management: structure of a newspaper organization and functions of various departments. Marketing strategies.
Exercises in Page Maker and Quark Express.
B6: Media Laws and Ethics
Unit I: Indian constitution - salient features, fundamental rights, concept of PIL, directive principles, freedom of speech and expression, its limitations.
Unit II: Official Secrets Act, Press and Registration of Books Act, Prevention of Publication of Objectionable Matter Act, Working Journalists Act, Cable Regulation Act, Cinematography Act, Parliamentary Proceedings Protection of Publication Act 1956, Its repeal Act, Constitutional Amendment Article 361A (Protecting the publication of Parliament and Legislature).
Unit III: Contempt of Court Act, Indecent Representation of Women Prohibition Act, Censorship Act, Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, Children’s Act. Law of Defamation.
Unit IV: Right to Know, Right to Information, Freedom of Information Act, 2002, Right to Information Bill 2004, Cyber Laws, Intellectual Property Rights and Copyright Act. Right to Privacy.
Unit V: Introduction to Media Ethics, Yellow Journalism, Communal writing, Right to reply, Press Council, Media and Human Rights and Civil Rights.
B7: Corporate Communication:
Unit I: Corporate communication – concept of PR philosophy, meaning, definition, scope, dimensions and distinction from advertising, propaganda, liaison, lobbying, PR and Public Opinion, growth of PR staff and line function, structure and function of PR Department, Profile of a Public Relations Officer.
Unit II: Concept of corporate citizen, corporate identity, image, PR publics – internal and external, importance of communicating to internal and external publics. PR process, four stages – fact finding, planning, execution and evaluation. PR strategy/campaign. Steps in campaign planning Case studies.
Unit III: Media relations- press conference, press kit, press briefing, Tools of PR- interpersonal: talks, discussions, meetings, open house, open day, exhibitions Print: House journals, news letters, brochures, pamphlets, circulars, notices, newspapers, annual reports, magazines, press releases. Audio-visual: radio, television, corporate films, OCTV, VNRs, FNRs, Information Technology New Media; Internet Writing and PR – Teleconferencing, E-mail, fax, CD Rom, Floppy Disks, Websites
Unit IV: Employee relations; Importance, responsibility of employee relations. Employee communication; Financial PR –Background, growing importance. Role of PR in raising capital and finances – annual general meeting – Role of PR person. Communication to share-holders. Customer relations.
Unit V: Community Relations: Community relations policy, objectives. Organization Employee’s role. Contributions to community welfare, community relations as a image building exercise. Government Relations- Nature and need for government relations. Structure and organization in Government PR Propagating Govt policies – Feedback mechanisms. Community Relations – definition of Community need and scope of PR – Rural PR – multi-media campaigns.
B8: Magazine and Photo Journalism (optional):
Unit I: Introduction to photography; Types of cameras, Understanding the camera- shutter types, The Shutter/Aperture relationship, Film size, Types of films, Lenses: the basic lens, Lens characteristics, Depth of field, Special lenses, Filters. Handling the camera, basics of exposure, camera angles, composition. Developing and Printing, the good negative, Lighting practices and sources, basic flash lighting, types of light meters, judging exposure.
Unit II: An overview of photo journalism, Trends in photo journalism. Use of graphics and photographs in magazines and newspapers, Picture categories, qualities of a good photograph. Single picture and caption: Judging the single photograph. News photos, People pictures
Role of a photo editor, selection and editing of photographs, writing captions. Photo features- planning and production. Colour photography-films, lighting, exposure and printing, digital photography. Images-JPEG, TIFF etc. Cropping, photo syndicates. Ethics-the tragic photo, shooting tragic scenes, staying out of the way, photo journalism and the law, Issues of Libel and invasion of privacy, freelancing.
Unit III: Types of magazines-News, general interest, and specialized magazines in niche areas-women, children leisure, business, science and technology etc., Use of visuals in magazines, Planning the editorial mix of a magazine-articles, news stories features etc., Trends in magazine publishing.
Unit IV: Techniques of magazine writing-choosing a topic, Identifying sources, gathering information, and the process of writing, importance of rewriting, various types of articles and features, Customizing magazine content for readers,
Unit V: Subjectivity in magazine writing. Slanting, content and writing style of different magazines. Approaches to editing specialized and glossy magazines-like fashion, city, travel etc., studying the requirements of magazines. Freelancing. Marketing features. E-journals. On-line magazines.
B9: Telugu journalism(optional)
2006-07 academic year
I semester
B1: Introduction to Communication and Mass Media
Unit1: Introduction to Communication. Nature, process and elements of communication. Functions and barriers of communication. Typology of communication – interpersonal, intra personal, group, mass communication.
Unit II: Mass communication characteristics, concept of gate keeping. Communication Models – Shannon and Weaver, Osgood and Schramm. Two step flow hypothesis, multi-step flow of communication.
Unit III: Communication effects, early perceptions, concepts – agenda setting, cultivation, uses and gratification. Roger’s theory of Diffusion of innovation.
Unit IV: Mass Media status: Print media, Broadcast media, New media, Advertising / PR Traditional media, New media technologies – satellite, cable, digital, internet, Mass media audiences, Issue of ownership, cross media ownership
Unit V: Media history: Print media – pre Independence, post Independence (Major issues, land marks), Regional language Press, Broadcast media, commissions of inquiry.
B2: Reporting and Editing-I
Unit I: Reporter – role, duties and qualities. The news process- from event to the reader. Concepts and definition of news as relevant to India. Basic components of a news story – attribution, verification; balance and fairness, brevity. News sources, gathering facts, Different forms of reporting – spot news / live reporting – Reporting public affairs, meetings, conferences, seminars, cultural, civic and social events, Mofussil reporting.
Unit II: Crime, legislature, courts and sports reporting. Investigative, interpretative, trend, in depth and advocacy reporting. Building and using background. Reporting fashion and lifestyle, writing curtain raisers, interviewing techiniques.
Unit III: Organisational structure of a newspaper’s editorial department. Role and functions of and editor, news editor and sub-editors. Qualities of a sub-editor. The news process: Sources of news. Different types of copy – Agency copy, Bureau copy, Mofussil Copy. News values and selection of news. Different Desks – General sports etc.
Unit IV: The editing process – symbols, handling various types of copy; Re-writing, translation, Integrating, Updating; Referencing; Proof reading, style book/sheet. Electronic editing. Headlines – functions, types, patterns of headlines. Unit count. Headline schedule. News schedule, Planning of pages and editions, editing supplements, features and special pages.
Unit V: Development and growth of printing. Desk Top Publishing, Printing process, Different methods of printing – Offset, Gravure and screen printing. Off-set printing process, advantages and disadvantages, Typography: Types and families, Type sizes. Reproduction of art and photographs, selection and editing of photographs.
B3: Advertising
Unit I: Advertising – Its relationship with Mass Communication, as a part of the marketing mix. Difference between publicity and advertising, advertising and Public Relations. Advertising definitions, functions.
Unit II: Classification of Advertising based on demand, media, objectives, different consumers to be reached, stages in the product life cycle, personnel involved-vertical /horizontal etc. Product, institutional, financial, social, political, government, classified and display.
Unit III: Advertising agency – Structure and functions of the various department of the Advertising Agency. Client servicing, creative media, production etc. Media Types of Media – Radio, newspapers, magazines, television, outdoor, specialty, internet, Relative merits & demerits, Basics of media planning and scheduling – Importance of media tariff, sources of information for media planning and scheduling –ORG, ABC, Readership surveys
Unit IV: Campaign Planning & Execution, Brief – Collection of Information, Analysis of market, Target Audience, Budget, Creative strategy and concepts; Creative themes and appeals Copy- Elements of an Advertisement, Functions of headline and copy, Types of copy for different media, Layout, Types of Layout, Principles of Design and lay out production process for print ads, Radio jingles, spots, commercials, TV commercials and Films (Script writing), Printed Literature. Direct Advertising, Point of Purchase
Unit V: Evaluation and Regulation of Advertising – Copy research – Pre testing and post testing Ethics, Codes and laws related to advertising, Professional bodies AAAI,ISA,ASCI, INS, Consumer associations Act. Advertising in India, role in economic development Trends (Case studies and Workshops in copy writing, media planning, campaign planning)
B4: Electronic Media and Film
Unit I: Introduction to broadcasting: Radio as a Medium of Mass Communication, Evolution and growth of All India Radio and Doordarshan, Prasar Bharathi – structure, objectives and role. Growth of private television channels. Emerging trends in radio broadcasting – FM, Digital, satellite
Unit II: Radio production, Programmes for various audiences, Different Programme format, creating audio space, sound perspective, voice casting, types of music, use of sound effects. Production crew and their functions: Role of producer. Production planning and execution. Radio studio, acoustics, recording equipment, types and use of microphones, Use of Digital Technology in production.
Unit III: Television technology: broadcasting standards, PAL, NTSC and SECAM. Broadcast chain, Production equipment – cameras, microphones and lights. Special effects generators, digital video effects, Character Generator, computer graphic work stations. TV stations. TV studio layout, TV production – studio and field production, TV staff and crew, their functions. Programme formats, Proposal writing, Script writing – outline, treatment, visualization, shooting script.
Unit IV: Production process – pre-production, set up and rehearsal, production and post production. Classification of shots, techniques of audio production. Television news production, scripting for TV documentaries. Linear and Non-linear editing, voice over, dubbing, mixing and final mastering. TV Direction; Shot division, Blocking the script, story board, time line and budgeting.
Unit V: A brief history of Indian cinema. Film technology. Elements of film – script, cinematography, editing, music and direction. Process of film making – shooting, editing, dubbing, mixing, married print. Film genres, Art and commercial films, parallel cinema. Film appreciation. Critical Study of films of important art and commercial film makers. Trends in contemporary cinema. Film review and criticism, Script writing for documentaries. NFDC, FTII.
Exercises in reporting, script writing and television production
II Semester:-
B5: Reporting and Editing II
Unit I: reporting conflicts, calamities, disasters. Issues in development reporting, environment, education, ecology, health, industry, business, agriculture, consumer issues, gender issues, Computer Aided Reporting (CAR)
Unit II: Editorial writing – concept, Types of editorials, policy, conferences, Letters to the Editor, edit page articles, Middles.
Feature writing: Characteristics of features, types of features, difference between articles and features; survey of market for features; Review and criticism, types of columns, techniques of column writing, columnists.
Unit III: Use of computers in editing. Editing mofussil copy, translation, integrating, updating, and planning of pages and editions. Editing supplements, features and special pages.
Unit IV: Process of colour printing, use of colour, use of colour photographs. Digital printing. Page Design and Layout, Use of new technologies: Internet, VSAT.
Unit V: Newspaper management: structure of a newspaper organization and functions of various departments. Marketing strategies.
Exercises in Page Maker and Quark Express.
B6: Media Laws and Ethics
Unit I: Indian constitution - salient features, fundamental rights, concept of PIL, directive principles, freedom of speech and expression, its limitations.
Unit II: Official Secrets Act, Press and Registration of Books Act, Prevention of Publication of Objectionable Matter Act, Working Journalists Act, Cable Regulation Act, Cinematography Act, Parliamentary Proceedings Protection of Publication Act 1956, Its repeal Act, Constitutional Amendment Article 361A (Protecting the publication of Parliament and Legislature).
Unit III: Contempt of Court Act, Indecent Representation of Women Prohibition Act, Censorship Act, Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, Children’s Act. Law of Defamation.
Unit IV: Right to Know, Right to Information, Freedom of Information Act, 2002, Right to Information Bill 2004, Cyber Laws, Intellectual Property Rights and Copyright Act. Right to Privacy.
Unit V: Introduction to Media Ethics, Yellow Journalism, Communal writing, Right to reply, Press Council, Media and Human Rights and Civil Rights.
B7: Corporate Communication:
Unit I: Corporate communication – concept of PR philosophy, meaning, definition, scope, dimensions and distinction from advertising, propaganda, liaison, lobbying, PR and Public Opinion, growth of PR staff and line function, structure and function of PR Department, Profile of a Public Relations Officer.
Unit II: Concept of corporate citizen, corporate identity, image, PR publics – internal and external, importance of communicating to internal and external publics. PR process, four stages – fact finding, planning, execution and evaluation. PR strategy/campaign. Steps in campaign planning Case studies.
Unit III: Media relations- press conference, press kit, press briefing, Tools of PR- interpersonal: talks, discussions, meetings, open house, open day, exhibitions Print: House journals, news letters, brochures, pamphlets, circulars, notices, newspapers, annual reports, magazines, press releases. Audio-visual: radio, television, corporate films, OCTV, VNRs, FNRs, Information Technology New Media; Internet Writing and PR – Teleconferencing, E-mail, fax, CD Rom, Floppy Disks, Websites
Unit IV: Employee relations; Importance, responsibility of employee relations. Employee communication; Financial PR –Background, growing importance. Role of PR in raising capital and finances – annual general meeting – Role of PR person. Communication to share-holders. Customer relations.
Unit V: Community Relations: Community relations policy, objectives. Organization Employee’s role. Contributions to community welfare, community relations as a image building exercise. Government Relations- Nature and need for government relations. Structure and organization in Government PR Propagating Govt policies – Feedback mechanisms. Community Relations – definition of Community need and scope of PR – Rural PR – multi-media campaigns.
B8: Magazine and Photo Journalism (optional):
Unit I: Introduction to photography; Types of cameras, Understanding the camera- shutter types, The Shutter/Aperture relationship, Film size, Types of films, Lenses: the basic lens, Lens characteristics, Depth of field, Special lenses, Filters. Handling the camera, basics of exposure, camera angles, composition. Developing and Printing, the good negative, Lighting practices and sources, basic flash lighting, types of light meters, judging exposure.
Unit II: An overview of photo journalism, Trends in photo journalism. Use of graphics and photographs in magazines and newspapers, Picture categories, qualities of a good photograph. Single picture and caption: Judging the single photograph. News photos, People pictures
Role of a photo editor, selection and editing of photographs, writing captions. Photo features- planning and production. Colour photography-films, lighting, exposure and printing, digital photography. Images-JPEG, TIFF etc. Cropping, photo syndicates. Ethics-the tragic photo, shooting tragic scenes, staying out of the way, photo journalism and the law, Issues of Libel and invasion of privacy, freelancing.
Unit III: Types of magazines-News, general interest, and specialized magazines in niche areas-women, children leisure, business, science and technology etc., Use of visuals in magazines, Planning the editorial mix of a magazine-articles, news stories features etc., Trends in magazine publishing.
Unit IV: Techniques of magazine writing-choosing a topic, Identifying sources, gathering information, and the process of writing, importance of rewriting, various types of articles and features, Customizing magazine content for readers,
Unit V: Subjectivity in magazine writing. Slanting, content and writing style of different magazines. Approaches to editing specialized and glossy magazines-like fashion, city, travel etc., studying the requirements of magazines. Freelancing. Marketing features. E-journals. On-line magazines.
B9: Telugu journalism(optional)
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