Course Title:  Introduction to Mobile Journalism                                      Course Code: MCOM6217

Fall-2020                                                                                                  Credit Hours: 3

Instructor: Abdul Rehman Qaiser/Hassan Raza Hashmi                         Class: MA/BS                                  Email: [email protected]

DESCRIPTION

The main aim of this course is to introduce students to the technology behind the news creation process. This course will introduce digital storytelling on mobile platforms and the opportunity to learn the basics of the creation of news in a mobile technology environment. It will introduce the workflow for mobile video news production by explaining the possibilities and advantages of mobile journalism production. The course will introduce the use of mobile journalism equipment and apps through a set of practical filming and editing exercises. Identify and produce engaging multi-media news using the latest mobile media tools as more and more journalists are now using their smartphone as an electronic news gathering device. Online magazines and newspapers increasingly expect reporters to add multimedia content to their stories. This course will teach students how to record audio and how to shoot video using their smartphone. It is equally important to teach students about work ethics of mobile journalism as emerging practices that integrate the use of mobile technology to gather news and information generally follow traditional media ethics.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• To understand New Media: Emerging Mediums of Information
• To understand Mobile Journalism Evolution and Development and also its specific implication
• To understand history of Mobile Journalism and basics skill
• To understand future trends and its techniques and developments
• Report in video with your smartphone
• Conduct professional video interviews
• Edit video with a smartphone
• Present stories for mobile audiences
• Produce reporter-led stories
• Edit videos for social platforms
• Produce piece-to-camera segments
• Produce a video from photos and a script
• Use the best apps for video production
• Storyboard a short video report

READINGS

• Adornato, A.  (2017). Mobile and social media journalism: A practical guide. Washington: CQ Press.
• Burum, I., & Quinn, S. (2017). MOJO: The mobile journalism handbook. London: Routledge.
• Hill, S., & Bradshaw, P. (2018). Mobile-first journalism: producing news for social and interactive media. London: Routledge.
• Montgomery, R. (2018). A field guide for mobile journalism. London: Routledge.

Contents

1. Global adoption and influence of portable devices
2. Integration of mobile in daily lives
3. Influence of mobile on modern journalism
4. The MOJO workflow
5. Seven basic steps of mobile reporting
6. Creation and sharing of branded mobile journalism content
7. Use of mobile apps to make an audio or video documentary
8. Narrated photo essay
9. Tactile interaction and content: tap, flick, pinch, drag, etc.
10. Adaptive vs. Responsive Design and Mobile News Product Development
11. Shoot video and learn how to frame the subject correctly
12. Well established cinematography techniques
13. Record interviews and use a microphone to get the best sound
14. Good interview techniques and learn how to edit for the sound
15. Take photographs and learn how to use picture composition and the rule of thirds
16. Using audio recordings and photographs to create a slideshow
17. Launch video news stories online using social media and web sites.
18. Ethics of Mobile Journalism and Privacy Issues

Pre-requisite

Students should have basic knowledge of Media and increasing influence of social media over traditional media.

Important Dates: Wednesday-Thursday 12:30-02:00 (SS)

Start Date 12-10-2020                                                                        End Date 08-02-2021

1st Assignment            week 07                                                         2nd Assignment Week 14

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Sessional: 20

Presentation: 10

Attendance: 5

Assignment: 5

Mid-Term: 30

Final exam: 50

RULES AND REGULATIONS

• 80 % class attendance is a must.
• Assignments would not be accepted after the due date.
• Originality of work would be ensured in case of assignments.
• In group presentations, group members have to divide the sub-topics in consultation with the teacher.