Detailed Syllabus Outline
- Concept – Definitions, Need/Importance/Purposes, Types of Communication, Process of Communication, Basic Models.
- Functions of a model, Evaluation of a model
- Basic models in Mass Communication: –
- o Lasswell’s Model (1948)
- o Shannon-Weaver model (1948)
- o Osgood,s model (1954)
- o Schramm’s model (1954)
- o Newcmb’s symmetry theory (1953)
- o Westley-McLean’s model (1976)
- o Gerbner model (1956)
- Normative theories of the press: Schramm’s four theories and criticism on these theories
- Media as agents of power
- The Spiral of silence
- Media Usage and gratifications
- Media hegemony
- Diffusion of innovations
- Powerful effects model: hypodermic needle, silver bullet
- Moderate effects model: two-step and multi-step flow of communication.
- Powerful media revisited: Marshal McLuhan’s media determinism
- The Historical Context of International Communication
- Globalization, technology, and the mass media
- Communication and Cultural imperialism
- Communication Flow in Global Media: Imbalance in the flow of information between North and South
- McBride commission and its recommendations.
- International Communication in the Internet Age: the new social media and its effects on developing world
- The functional approach to mass media: four social functions of the media
- Media as an awareness agent
- Mass media and social representation
- Media system in Pakistan: historical, chronological, and analytical review
- The system of journalism and the media system
- Employer-employee relations in Pakistani media
- Government-press relations
- Press in Pakistan: The newspaper industry, from mission to the market
- Electronic media: from total dependence to enormous power
- The new 24/7 television: uses and abuses
- The new radio: potential for change and the present performance.
- The question of freedom and responsibility
- Theories of development support communication with specific focus on the developing world
- The dominant paradigm of development: historical, analytical perspective
- The Alternative paradigm of development
- Small is beautiful: community development as a snowball effect.
- Globalization vs Localization
- Glocalization
- Social Marketing: how to infuse new ideas into a developing population
- Concept of Public Relations
- Historical development of public relations: from press agentry to PR
- Public relation in Pakistan
- Ministry of information
- Press Information Department (PID)
- Public relations and publicity
- PR as a tool for governance
- Private PR agencies and their structure
- Basic methods of PR: press release, press note, press conference
- PR Ethics
- History of Media Laws in Pakistan
- Development of media regulations from British colonial era to independent
- Pakistan
- Libel, Defamation and relevant portions of PPC
- PPO, RPPPO
- PEMRA: establishment, development, and operational mechanisms
- Press Council of Pakistan (PCP)
- Citizens Media Commission: need, present status, and reasons for inactivity
- Press Code of Ethics
- Inability of the media to develop a code of ethics as an institution
- The media’s quest for freedom and its inability to self regulate.
FPSC Recommended Books
| Book Title | Author |
|---|---|
| Mass media and social change | Unknown |
| Media as a social system: The balance between interdependence | interrelation |
| Media freedom and its role for democracy, | Unknown |
| Broadcast Regulations: the German Example | Metzger, Herbert. FES 1993. |
| Communication Models for The Study of Mass Communication, 2nd Ed | McQuail, Dennis &Windhal, Swen, Longman, 1982. |
| Convergence Culture: Where old and new Media | Blackwell publishing Ltd, USA. |
| Communication Theories: Origins, Methods and Uses in the Mass Media 5th Ed | Werner J. Severin, James W. Tankard Jr. Longman, 1997. |
| Diffusion of Innovations 5th Ed | Rogers, Everett M. Free Press 2003 |
| Ethics in Journalism: A Reader on Their Perception in the Third World | Kunczik, Michael (Ed.). FES 1999. |
| Handbok of International and Intercultural Communication 2nd Ed | Gudykunst & Mody, Sage, 2001. |
| McQuail's Mass Communication Theory, 4th Ed | Denis McQuail. Sage, 2000. |
| Media And Society into the 21st Century: A Historical Introduction | Blackwell publishing Ltd, USA. |
| “Media / Impact” | Wads Worth/ Thompson Learning, Belmont, CA |
| “Media Now: Communication Media in the Information Age” | Wads Worth/Thompson Learning, Belmont, CA |
| News Media and Journalism in Pakistan | Khan, Altaf. LAP Lambert Academic Publishing. June 2011. |
| News Media and Journalism in Pakistan and Germany (Ed.) | Khan, Altaf. Peshawar, 2003. |
| Participatory Development | Hasan, Arif, Oxford, 2010. |
| Political Communication in Britain: The Leader Debates, the Campaign and the Media in the 2010 General Election, (Ed) | Palgrave McMillan, UK |
| Political Communication in Asia, | Roultage, NY. |
| “Precision Journalism: A Reporter’s Introduction to Social and Science Methods”, 4th Ed | Rowman and Littlefield, Lanham, MD. |
| Report and Recommendations of the Media Commission, appointed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, 2013 | FES, Islamabad, 2013. |
| Reporting the Frontier: Media Capacity Building for Peace in Pakistan’s Tribal Areas | Khan, Altaf VDM Verlag Dr. Müllere.K. June 2011. |
| “Writing, Directing, and Producing Documentary Films and Vidoes”,.3rd edition | Carbondale: Southern Illinois Press, 2002. |
| “Directing the Documentary”, 4th edition | Focal Press, 2004. |
| “Documentary Storytelling: Making Stronger and More Dramatic Nonfiction Films”, 2nd edition | Focal Press, 2007. |
| Principles of Editing | McGraw-Hill 1996 |
| Journalism–Principles and Practices | Vistaar Publications 2006 |
| The Hand Book of New Media | London: Sage |
| Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life: An Introduction (2nd Edition) | London: Sage |
| Controversies in Contemporary Advertising | Newbury Park: Sage Publications |
| “Public Relations-Writing & Media Techniques” | Harper Collins College Publishers, NY |
| Telecommunications Policy in Pakistan” | Telematics and Informatics |
| “Guaranteeing Copyright- Media Manager’s Guide to Pakistani Broadcast Law” | Media Manager Companion Series Internews Pakistan |
| “Model Freedom of Information Act”, 2001 | Consumer rights Protection Commission of Pakistan |
Academic Strategy for Journalism
Journalism & Mass Communication (100 marks) is a dynamic, highly relevant subject analyzing the flow of modern information and media ethics.
1. Mass Media Theories: Master theories such as Agenda Setting, Gatekeeping, Cultivation Theory, and Uses and Gratifications. Apply these to how modern Pakistani media operates.
2. Media Ethics and Law: Study the draconian vs. liberal media laws, censorship history, and organizations regulating electronic media (PEMRA) in Pakistan.
3. Digital and PR Convergence: Focus heavily on the rising monopolistic power of digital/social media and strategic Public Relations (PR) management in the corporate and political spheres.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many marks does Journalism & Mass Communication carry in the CSS Exam?
Journalism & Mass Communication is a 100-mark subject in the FPSC CSS examination.
2. What are the core topics covered in Journalism & Mass Communication?
The syllabus primarily revolves around I. Introduction to Mass Communication, II. Mass Communication Theories, III. Global / International Communication and related topics. Check the detailed syllabus breakdown above for the exact structure.
3. Is Journalism & Mass Communication a scoring subject?
Yes, Journalism & Mass Communication is generally considered highly scoring if you stick strictly to the official FPSC syllabus, practice past papers, and use strong analytical arguments rather than generic statements.
4. How long does it typically take to prepare for Journalism & Mass Communication?
For a 100-mark subject, a strategic preparation plan typically requires 2 to 3 weeks of dedicated, consistent study and note-making.
5. What are the best recommended books for Journalism & Mass Communication?
FPSC recommends referring to authentic textbooks and journals. Some key referenced authors include interrelation. Avoid purely relying on local guidebooks.
6. Do I need a university degree in Journalism & Mass Communication to opt for it?
While an academic background provides a massive advantage, it is not strictly mandatory. Many candidates successfully prepare for Journalism & Mass Communication from scratch by consulting thoroughly recommended readings.
7. Are past papers important for Journalism & Mass Communication preparation?
Absolutely. Analyzing the last 5 to 7 years of CSS past papers for Journalism & Mass Communication is critical. It helps identify recurring themes, examiner traps, and high-frequency syllabus blocks.
8. How should I structure my answers in the Journalism & Mass Communication subjective paper?
To score highly, structure your subjective answers with clear introductions, relevant headings, bullet points, flowcharts (if applicable), and a balanced, critical conclusion.
9. Does Journalism & Mass Communication overlap with Compulsory CSS subjects?
Many concepts in Journalism & Mass Communication can build a strong analytical foundation for the English Essay and Current Affairs papers. Always look for cross-disciplinary linkages while studying.
10. Is coaching necessary to pass Journalism & Mass Communication?
No, professional coaching is not mandatory. With immense discipline, standard syllabus tracking, and self-evaluation via mock exams, candidates can secure excellent marks on their own.