WHY BMM?

Once you clear your higher secondary, a question is raised in your mind about further educations and career plans. While many of us try finding a course that is either popular, highly paying, or makes our entry into the ‘best’/ ‘reputed’ college, the sensible thing to do is to choose a stream which enables and inculcates a freedom of expression, accessibility to questioning and intervening in the policies and decisions of the governing body, free-will and free wings to fly and broadcast the right and the wrong and help the masses separate correct from incorrect. This course that I am going to broadly discuss is none other than the esteemed course offered by the Mumbai University, that is, Bachelor of Mass Media.

This programme was started by the University of Mumbai in the year 2000-2001. Bachelor of Mass Media programme prepares the students to figure a career in various sectors of the media, both in television and print. The duration of the course shall be of six semesters spread over in three years. Applicants can choose their areas of specialization in the third year like Advertising and Journalism. It helps the students to improve their writing and presentation skills and also provides the appropriate knowledge of the current status of media. B.M.M. Degree prepares students to be successful media professionals as Journalists and Advertising Executives. Mass Media offers a number of career options based on one’s interest like Audio and Video Journalism, TV and Radio Communication, Cinema, Advertising, PR, Event Management & Magazines and Newspapers as modes of communication.

It generally cover the functions of different forms of media, various roles of people involved in the media and media's effect on individuals, societal values, culture, economics and politics. Students may be trained to consider ethical responsibilities, media regulations, cultural sensitivity, history and the targeted audience in their work.

It often cover print and Web media formatting, pagination, photo illustration, marketing strategies and media criticism. In order to complete the program, students often must often furnish a portfolio, develop a unique media project or complete an internship. Students can work for their school's newspaper, radio station, or yearbook to gain experience in media operations.

So, now that you have gained knowledge of the basics let us shift to a more serious zone which is the course details that this university offers and how this course is the best version which is offered by most of colleges in India.  There are basic eligibility criteria for applying this particular course. Whoever applying for the course should be passed in Higher Secondary Certificate examination no matter what the specialization is. It can be any of the areas of Arts, Science or Commerce from the University can apply for this course. A Diploma holder in any Engineering Branches can apply for this course. Students having minimum score 50% is needed and the weight age allotted for the admission in BMM is 50% for Arts and 25% for both Commerce and Science Stream. The best part of this course is that there is no language barriers. Student can write the examination in Marathi as well as Hindi language.

This course get you through with in and out of media, different types of communication, media and print media. There are vast subjects which has a variety of career options to choose from.

This course focus on functional and operational use of language in media. With the specific aim of use in media, it will equip students with competence in language structure, abilities in reading and writing and skills of Close, critical reading of informative and discursive texts in Marathi, Hindi and English, Effective presentation in writing (concise statement, use of appropriate organizational and rhetorical patterns and style) Marathi, Hindi and English, Efficient oral communication, To equip students with structured and analytical thinking skills and to teach To teach presentation skills and effective use of presentation aids.  The main objective of this course is not only to introduce the students to communication models and expose them to the various aspects of Mass Communication and to develop a critical understanding of Mass Media, its potentialities and Impact but also to equip the students with a general understanding of computer basics for everyday use and To train them to use this understanding to supplement their presentation skills. It provides provide a sociological understanding of the basic concepts and perspectives relevant to mass-media. It aims to make the students aware of Indian Society’s socio- cultural diversity and their responsibility as media personnel, to sensitize them to pressing social issues of the contemporary Indian society and to know and to understand origins & spread of the various social movements in India.

In the day to day functioning of an economy, a large number of economic terminologies are used frequently in the media. The main objective of this course is to familiarize the students of mass media with the fundamental concepts of economics so that their analytical ability can be strengthened. To achieve this, the paper is to be taught with practical relevance. Wherever applicable, reference is to be made in the context of Indian economy and also to advance the communication skills.

It also tends to focus on political concepts and the Indian political system which clears the concept of fundamental political concepts essential for understanding political systems. It Orient the students to the Indian Constitution and the functioning of the Indian political system and provide the students with a strong base on the ‘Indian Concepts’ and to expose them to the complexities of Indian Political Systems. It also intends to provide an introduction to the fundamentals of management and marketing and few basic concepts of Psychology and its relevance to mass media.

Through reading about litterateurs and their work help students evolve into more thinking, aware, sensitive human beings; to deepen and widen their understanding of themselves and of life. So it includes introduction to literature as a subject to expose them to good writing, to help them write better, to introduce students to the various genres and literary terms and also to enhance their understanding of world literature. It comprise a part of translation skills to know the importance of translation in media and to provide English, Hindi and Marathi translation skills required in media.

Success as a writer can depend on individual determination and perseverance; however, the skills gained on a creative writing course are useful in a range of careers. Many students undertaking a creative writing degree build a publishing portfolio by submitting their work to journals or anthologies, entering competitions, or having their scripts performed by local drama groups. Others may write for student newspapers or magazines, volunteer at schools, or get involved with writers’ groups. Evidencing such activities will increase your employability and help to establish your reputation as a writer. Creative writing is also made a part of course to encourage students to read stories, poems, plays, to develop further and build upon the writing and analytical skills, to acquaint students with basic concepts in literary writing, to familiarize students with the creative process.

It encompass many other subjects such public relations to introduce the subject of public relations to the student and help understand its role and function it plays in society and which will equip the student with the basic tools of public relations and give them an overall understanding of the subject. Understanding cinema to acquaint the students with the various styles and schools of cinema throughout the world, Advance computer to work on Macromedia Flash to create banner ads for websites, Introduction to advertising to give a brief insight about advertising & its different aspects to the students of Media. Print production and photography to help students understand the principles and practice of photography and enable students to enjoy photography as an art. Radio and Television to introduce the basic terms and concepts of broadcasting, to give an overview of the structure and function of the broadcast industry and to create an awareness of the development of broadcast media and current trends. Mass Media Research to introduce students to debates in Research approaches and equip them with tools to carry on research and to understand the scope and techniques of media research, their utility and limitations. Organisational behaviour for orienting students to issues in organizational functioning and to introduce students to the concepts given below at a preliminary level.

The course study allows one to have two specializations in the final year of the course. The course curriculum of the optional subjects are advertising and journalism.

Why should you major in advertising?

Advertising is the art and business of enticing consumers to purchase a product or service. There are many reasons to major in advertising, including the skills one acquires, the diversity of employment opportunities and the various concentrations available. It will help you to understand the current developments and problems concerning advertising as an economic and social force and to analyze the interdependent nature of advertising and popular culture. It also make it easier for you To familiarize the students with the concept of copywriting as selling through writing, to develop your inherent writing skills, to generate, develop and express ideas effectively and to familiarize with contemporary advertising techniques and practices.

It will serve you with the creative and technical aspects of art direction and will also introduce you to complexities of consumer behaviour so that you can develop knowledge of major media characteristics and buying advertising space in them to develop an understanding of procedures, requirements, and techniques of media planning. It also educate you about practices of contemporary brand management, helps you to understand the appropriate strategies and tactics to build, measure and manage Brand Equity and to learn to plan an effective advertising campaign.

Advertising offers students several areas of concentration, allowing them to fulfill their career goals in areas that interest them and make use of their strengths. Students can choose a creative specialization in copywriting, branding, art direction or interactive ad design. Alternatively, management specializations include account management, public relations or media management. These programs usually require the same core courses in advertising design, campaign management, customer focus strategy, creative processes and media types before offering specialized electives.

Why should you major in Journalism?

Journalism will never die as long as the world has news to report and requires someone to report it. The digital age might be hurting journalism in its traditional form, but something unequivocally better may be on the verge. For those of you who have doubts about thrusting yourself into the wild and wonderful world of journalism, look no further to end your questioning. In journalism you to verify news. On the spot coverage, checking with the sources, double checking for controversial stories and understand the New Values.

Majoring in journalism will improve your language skills and also will help you to impart skills required of a sub-editor. You will be provided with some special skills which are needed for feature / Opinion writing while commenting on differences between reporting and feature writhing. You will educated to examine critically the relationship between the media and public, the numbers of media influence public opinion which are the agencies manipulating this process of influencing public opinion.

It will introduce you to the art of newspaper and magazine design and will orient them towards the practical aspects of newspaper - magazine making.

As jobs continue to evolve from print to mass media, the skills you learn will be critical to your success. Most universities have career centers that can help you determine the area of focus best suited for you. There are many more career choices to choose from, and we can help guide you through the process of determining which may be right for you. Take some time to request information from schools. Find out more about their concentrations of study, curriculum, and track records. Learn more about journalism programs and find the right fit for you and your unique career goals.