M.A. in Media and Cultural Studies

The M.A. in Media and Cultural Studies aims at honing skills of media production and research within a framework that enables the development of a critical perspective on media, culture and society. In contemporary society, media and culture are crucial sites where identities are produced and popular ways of seeing are consumed. Cultural Studies enables us to meaningfully engage and interact with these new modes of being and doing. By making us conscious of the many complex ways in which power impinges on our lives and constructs our cultures, it has the potential of empowering us to critically read the media and other cultural institutions and texts, to understand how they shape our identities and to think about how we could possibly shape them. This programme will impart intensive hands-on training in video production, including direction, research, scripting, editing, camera and sound. It also has a strong research focus. This will enable students to produce documentaries and short films. The programme will culminate in the production of a documentary and a dissertation. It will also teach basic skills in community radio, graphics and web design. The students will have access to the well-equipped facilities and the visual archive of the Centre for Media and Cultural Studies (www.tiss.edu/cmcs). The teachers of the course would include CMCS and TISS faculty as well as professionals. With its unique blend of theory and practice, the M.A. in Media and Cultural Studies work towards the creation of a lively group of media 'thinking do-ers' and 'doing thinkers' w ho could then choose to branch out into a diverse range of work or educational situations. The students of this course will be equipped to work in the areas of media and television production, independent media practice, media education, advocacy and research. The potential employers include NGOs, television production houses, educational and research institutions and governmental agencies.

Selection Procedure:
Those satisfying the eligibility requirements will be assessed for selection (Total Marks = 200) through the following:

1. Academic Background (30 Marks): Marks are awarded to each applicant on the basis of overall percentage of marks secured in the Bachelor's Degree Examination and the maximum marks are 30. However, high academic achievement is not the only criterion on which the candidate will be selected.
2. Written Test (100 Marks): A Written Test in English aims at an assessment of
a. proficiency in English Language,
b. awareness of and reflection on disaster related issues, social and environmental justice, humanitarian assistance,
c. analytical capabilities, and
d. sensitivity to social and technological issues. The time allotted is two hours.
3. Personal Interview (70 Marks): To become eligible for the Personal Interview (PI), a general candidate should secure a minimum score of 45 marks (35 marks for SCs and STs) in the written test.