The Department of Journalism & Media
Studies

Welcome to Journalism & Media Studies

The Department of Journalism and Media Studies was conceived in 1999, following recommendations by the Williams Commission in 1989. The Commission noted that communication and information science were fast becoming major technological developments globally. In view of these fast developments in information technology, the Commission recommended that the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) establish a Faculty of Communication and Information Science to meet these challenges. This Faculty would incorporate the Department of Journalism and Media Studies which would be tasked with offering sound technical and theoretical training in broadcast and print journalism while also highlighting the dynamic, exciting world of new information technologies. Following these recommendations by the Commission, NUST had wide-ranging consultations with stakeholders from the media fraternity, civil society, government and the general Zimbabwean community in 1999. The consultation process was important for surveying the needs of these key stakeholders to ensure that the university formulated a relevant programme that addressed the pressing professional requirements of the local media while at the same time adhering to regional and international journalism and media standards. The Journalism and Media Studies Department offers three programmes. An undergraduate Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. It is a four-year full-time programme with a versatile curriculum that academically, practically and technically adequately addresses most of the problems faced by journalists locally, regionally and internationally. There is a Master of Science Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. This is a Block release MSc programme studied over a period of 24 months, of which a minimum of 12 months are for the dissertation. The Department also offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations on block release.

Our Degree Programmes

Undergraduate

Bachelor Of Science (Honours) Degree In Journalism and Media Studies
Introduction 

These regulations should be read in conjunction with the general university regulations for undergraduate studies, and the regulations of the Faculty of Communication and Information Science. 
The Degree will be awarded to candidates who have successfully completed the programme and passed the examinations in accordance with the regulations set out below.
 
Entry Qualifications 
  • Candidates who have a first degree from this or any other recognised institution may be allowed into the BSc (Hons) in Journalism and Media Studies.
  • Candidates with English Literature and/or Ndebele/Shona and any other approved ‘A’ Level Arts subject can be admitted into the BSc in Journalism and Media Studies.
  • Candidates must have the following qualifications (or their equivalent):
  • Five ‘O’ Level passes including English Language and Mathematics.
  • Special Entry – Candidates who have successfully completed a National Diploma in Mass Communication, or have otherwise obtained equivalent qualifications, may apply for direct entry into part one, depending on the experience acquired at the time of application. 
 
Minimum body of knowledge in Journalism and Media Studies
  • Skills to write and report news for print, broadcast and online media.
  • Communication and publicity skills to pursue careers in the communication and public relations fields.
  • Knowledge to produce and understand a wide variety of media products including films/documentaries, blogs/websites, magazines/newspapers etc.
  • Knowledge of the media industry and techniques to analyse and critique its operations.
  • Media literacy skills to enable students to engage with the society.
  • Research skills to identify problems and suggest solutions for the benefit of society. 
 Structure of Programme

The degree programme may be studied on a full-time basis over four academic years.  At Part One, students will take courses on media theory, as well as several practical courses on print and broadcast media. At Part Two, they will have a choice of two practical electives.

One year of the programme (at least 30 weeks) is ear-marked for industrial attachment.  A student placed under an organisation for attachment will be required to submit himself/herself to rules and regulations as apply to the employees of that organisation.  Should it become necessary for the student under attachment to move to another organisation, permission must be granted by the University.

In the first semester of Part Four, students will take six core courses and one beat elective. Many of these electives will be taught at an advanced level in the second semester of the fourth year. In the second semester of Part Four, students will take three core courses and will choose two practical and one beat elective. However, a student who has taken an introductory beat elective in the first semester and does not wish to continue to an advanced level can choose a non-advanced Part Four beat elective, or a Part Two practical elective.

Postgraduate

Master Of Science In Journalism And Media Studies
PREAMBLE 
  • The Master of Science in Journalism and Media studies programme is aimed at students who are keen to have an advanced understanding of contemporary journalism practices, the role of the media in society and the philosophy that informs journalism practices, particularly in developing contexts. Through the critical examination of the media as institutions, which act and are acted upon by various social forces, the course enables students to have an understanding of media institutions and journalism practices as informed by economic, political, cultural and ideological foundations. Emphasis will also be placed on the understanding of journalism’s potential contributions to sustainable development, conflict transformation and generally the well-being of society.
  • The regulations for the Master of Science degree hereinafter referred to as the Master of Science in Journalism and Media Studies, complement, and are subordinate to, University General Regulations for Masters degree by course work and Faculty of Communication and Information Science Regulations.
 
DURATION OF THE PROGRAMME
  •  On a full-time basis, the programme will be studied over a period of 18 months, of which a minimum of six months shall be for the dissertation.
  •  On a Block release basis, the MSc programme shall be studied over a period of 24 months, of which a minimum of 12 months shall be for the dissertation.
  •  A full-time MSc student may, for good reason and subject to approval by Senate on the recommendation of the Faculty Board, transfer to the part-time programme or vice-versa, provided the student meets the requirements of the part of the programme he/she is transferring to.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS 
  • To be considered for admission to the MSc programme, a candidate should normally hold an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Journalism and/ or Media Studies or a related discipline such as Communication Studies, Public Relations and Advertising. 
  • Candidates with at least a Second Class Honours degree in the above areas will be required to have at least three years post-qualification practical experience in a recognized media house. 
  • Candidates with any good first degree and a postgraduate diploma in Journalism and/or Media Studies or related field may be admitted into the Masters programme.
Postgraduate Diploma In Public Relations
Introduction 
  • The Postgraduate Diploma in public relations is a part-time programme designed to meet the professional skills required for one to become a modern-day public relations practitioner.  The aim of the programme is to assist students with an in-depth understanding of current public relations practices and to equip them with skills required to survive in a rapidly changing business environment.
  • These regulations should be used in conjunction with University General academic Regulations for postgraduate diplomas and Faculty of Communication and Information Science Regulations.  

Duration of the Programme

The programme consists of coursework that shall be completed in not less than 12 months on an intensive part-time block release basis.


Entry Requirements

The normal entry requirement for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations shall be a minimum of a social sciences, arts or business bachelors degree of this or another reputable University.
  • Applicants should have a minimum of a year of work experience in communications.
  • All applicants must be proficient in basic computer use.

Assessment
  • Final examinations will be conducted in all courses towards the end of each stage.
  • Examinations will be subject to external assessment.
  • The pass mark threshold based on the aggregate of continuous assessment and written examination shall be 50 percent.
  • Courses in semester I and II will be assessed as follows: 70 percent formal examinations and 30 percent from continuous assessment.
  • Supplementary examinations will be held in accordance with the general Academic regulations for the postgraduate diploma.
  • A candidate who obtains a mark of less than 49%, but not less than 40%, may, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, be permitted to sit for a supplementary examination(s) in the respective course(s) failed.
  • Written supplementary examinations and/or resubmission of assignments/projects shall be limited to two modules per semester.
  • For the Postgraduate Diploma, no candidate shall be allowed to repeat a module more than twice.

Diploma Classification

70 % above - Distinction
60% - 69% - Merit
50% - 59% - Pass
Below 50 % - Fail


Award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations
  • Advanced public relations skills.
  • Professional skills to become a
    modern day
    public relations practitioner.
  • In-depth understanding of current public relations practices.
  • Crisis communication skills to manage challenges in organisations.
  • Research skills in communication, media and public relations.

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Departmental Staff

Dr. Bhekinkosi Jakobe Ncube: Chairperson
NAME: BHEKINKOSI JAKOBE NCUBE
OCCUPATION: LECTURER

QUALIFICATIONS:
1. MSc (Journalism & Media Studies), NUST, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
2. Graduate Diploma (Media & Communication Studies), UZ, Harare, Zimbabwe
3. Graduate Diploma (Higher Education), NUST, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
4. Certificate (International Broadcasting), RNTC, Hilversum, Netherlands
5. BA (Gen), UZ, Harare, Zimbabwe

PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: Chronicle (Zimpapers), Bulawayo Agenda
EMAIL ADDRESSES: bhekinkosi.ncube@nust.ac.zw / bhekijncube54@gmail.com
TELEPHONE: (09) 282842 Ext. 2525

RESEARCH INTERESTS:
1. Alternative media and identities
2. Community and online radio
3. Media, human rights and democracy
4. Media and the politics of belonging

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS:
• East African Communication Association Conference (October 2013) Nairobi, Kenya: Presentation Title: Frames in news discourse on Nelson Mandela’s illness and hospitalization: A study of Nigerian and Zimbabwean newspapers.
• SACCOM Conference (Sept 2013) Port Elizabeth, South Africa: Presentation Title: Digital constellations in the age of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs): Investigating the impact of free-to-air satellite decoders in                   Zimbabwe’s political landscape
• The African Council for Communication Education (November 2012) Conference, (Minna, Nigeria): Presentation Title: An Ethnographic Study of the Use of Social Media by Marginalized Political Movements in Zimbabwe.

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