[ZARA IDREES]
MCOM 319
Media History
Module Aims
This course will offer an introduction to the history of mass media. Students will explore the
development and advancement in both, technology and content of mass communication. This
course will take them through the journey of communication technology and transition of
media from print to visual, then electronic and now digital. Besides the world history of
media emphasis will be laid upon the historical patterns of mass media in Pakistan.
Newspapers, radio, TV, Film, internet and now the social media, their advent and penetration
in Pakistani society will be discussed. Course will also help to introduce the pioneers and
their contribution in all dimensions of mass communication in Pakistan.
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Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
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Learn about the adoption of that technology and the societal implications of the
communication technology.
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Have a clear idea of the historical patterns in the development of mass
communication.
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Understand how mass media" (movies, radio, television) have changed the way we
see the world, changed the way we get information and influenced older media.
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[ZARA IDREES]
MCOM 319
Media History
Teaching and Learning Methods
A variety of teaching methods will be utilized which will include, lectures, discussions on
case studies, workshops, viewings, group-work, presentations and . By the end of this course
students will be able to analyze and formulate opinions, critically and astutely on the subjects
they are endeavored to research upon in their careers as journalists and analytical experts.
Assessment.
There are seven assignments that students will be assessed on and which they have to submit
during their course.
1) Assignment 1: Analysis of Journalistic styles
Students will be asked to select a particular genre of journalistic styles from the
course on which they will give presentation.
2) Assignment 2: Quiz
This will be an individual assignment in which students will be asked to answer a
question based on their understanding of Media History concepts and its
development. Students will be advised to write only in the APA proscribed
format.
3) Assignment 3: Movie Analysis
Students will be given video films from different genres and asked to evaluate the
trajectory film techniques and technology has taken over the years.
4) Midterm : Exam
Students will be required to give a written exam based on all the topics covered in
their course till then.
5) Assignment 4: Propaganda & Modern Technology
Students will be asked to present the different methods through which propaganda
is disseminated from communication platforms.
6) Assignment 5: Critical Debate
Students will be required to participate in a critical debate based on the readings
and theoretical questions posed to them through the chapters they have read. They
will be awarded points for the number, coherence and strength of their arguments
and counter arguments.
7) Final Exam: Analytical Paper II
Students will be required to give a written exam based on all the topics covered in
their course till then.
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[ZARA IDREES]
MCOM 319
Media History
Study Hours.
Students will be required to study for a total of 150 hours on this module. The division of
time will be as;
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Lectures, presentations, seminars and workshops – 36 hours.
Self-directed study – 72 hours.
Preparation for assessment – 37 hours.
Self-review of assessment after receiving feedback – 5 hours.
Reading.
Students will be provided with a list of material to read designated as “Core Reading”. These
will be allocated for each week and students will be required to read from these before
coming for the lecture so that they are prepared for the topic. They are encouraged to form an
opinion on the subject to be discussed so that an participation in discussion during class can
be possible. Another set of readings listed as “Additional Reading” has also been given for
each topic being covered weekly. Students are advised to read at least one or two of these in
addition to the “Core Reading”.
At this point it is important to remind students that they should not limit themselves to the
lectures and suggested reading material only. They are advised to research the topics being
taught independently as well so that they acquire deeper knowledge and command over the
subject.
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Key Texts for the Module:
A list of specific reading will be provided for each topic that is covered. However other
reading materials will be delivered in the form of notes, in class handouts, books and
websites at the time of particular lecture.
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Additional General Reading:
Some other reading material in the form of articles will also been provided to the students
which they can read to get an in-depth understanding of the discourse.
1. The brief history of Muslim Journalism in Indo-Pak by Dr. Miskeen Ali Hijazi.
2. Indo-Pak Journalism by Abdul Salam Khursheed
3. The Brief History of newspapers by M.S. Naz
4. History of Journalism by M. Iftikhar Khokhar
5. Intoducing New Trends, Mass Communication by Imtiaz Shahid
6. Exploring Journalism by Mirza M. Yousaf
7. Competitive Journalism by Abid Masoud Tehami
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[ZARA IDREES]
MCOM 319
Media History
Overview of Module Content.
Globalization and the Media
Week 1: Introduction to course &
Origin of Communication
Week 2: History of Cinema
Week 3: News receiving and gathering in History
Week 4: The advent of Printing
Week 5: Birth of Journalism
Week 6: Role of Press during war of independence 1857
Week 7: Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
Week 8: Midterm
Week 9: Role of Press after the war of independence 1857
Week 10: English Newspapers during Pakistan Movement
Urdu Newspapers during Pakistan Movement
Week 11: Present English & Urdu Journalism
Week 12: History of Radio and development of Radio in subcontinent
Radio as a tool for Propaganda
Week 13: History of Television
Week 14: History of Internet
Week 15: The diversity of Cell Phones as Communication platforms
WEEKLY MODULE CONTENT
Week One: Introduction to course & Origin of Communication
At the end of this session students should be able to understand the communication process and
the stages it has evolved through.
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[ZARA IDREES]
MCOM 319
Media History
Key Objectives:

To help students explore what different types of communication are and how they have
been used in history.
Core Reading:
1. Exploring Journalism by Mirza M. Yousaf
Week Two: History of Cinema
The aim will be to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Cinema and its
historical origin beginning from the basic projecting devices to the technology we are familiar
with today. We will be taking up the following topics during this week.
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Origin Of Films
History Of European Cinema
History of Indo-Pak Cinema
Prevalent Practices in today’s Cinema
History of Communication
History of Printing Press across the world
History of Printing Press across sub-continent
Key Objectives:
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Students will be able to understand the stages through which the cinema industry has
progressed.
They will also be able to analyze through their content, the agenda that films are establishing.
Week Three: News receiving and gathering in Islamic History
The intention behind this session will again be to give students a complete background on the
news gathering processes that occurred during the period of Islamic conquests in the subcontinent.
Key Objectives:
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News receiving and gathering in sub-continent. (Sulateen-e-Dehli & Waqa-i-Nawees etc)
Core Reading:
1. The brief history of Muslim Journalism in Indo-Pak by Dr. Miskeen Ali Hijazi.
Week Four: British Printing Press in sub-continent, 1674
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William Bolts, failure in initiating newspaper.
First newspaper, Hickey Gazette, 1780
First Urdu newspaper Jam-e-Jahan Numa
First Persian newspaper Mirat-ul-Akhbar
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[ZARA IDREES]
MCOM 319
Media History
Key Objectives:
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The dawn of the printing industry and newspaper during the colonial era will be investigated.
The content of what those newspapers were disseminating will also be discussed.
Core Reading:
1. History of Journalism by M. Iftikhar Khokhar
Week Five: Role of Press during war of independence 1857
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Dehli Urdu Akhbar 1837
Sadiq-ul-Akhbar 1844
Siraj-ul-Akhbar 1841
Saeed-ul-Akhbar 1837
Kareem-ul-Akhbar 1845
Koh-i-Noor Akhbar (1850)
Ovadh Akhbar (1858)
Key Objectives:
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Students will be made aware of the great struggle initiated by various publications for
asserting the rights of Indian Muslims.
Core Reading:
1. Indo-Pak Journalism by Abdul Salam Khursheed
Week Six: Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
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Scientific Society Magazine 1864
Mohammadan Social Reformer 1870
Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad (Al-Hilal from Calcutta) 1912.
Key Objectives:
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To help students recognize the herculean task that Sir Syed Ahmad Khan undertook in
organizing Muslim thought and intellect towards modern lines.
Week Seven: Birth of Journalism
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Paisa Akhbar (Ferozwala) 1887
Father of Journalism in Pakistan, Maulana Zafar Ali Khan (Zamindar)
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[ZARA IDREES]
MCOM 319
Media History
Key Objectives:

To help students understand how Muslims entered the newspaper industry.
Core Reading:
1. Intoducing New Trends, Mass Communication by Imtiaz Shahid
Week Eight: Midterm Assessment.
Students will be assessed through a descriptive exam regarding their clarity on the subject of
media history.
Week Nine: Maulana Mohammad Ali Johar
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Comrade 1911
Hamdard 1911
Maulana Hasrat Mohani (Urdu-i-Mualla) from Aligarh
Key Objectives:
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To make students understand the role militant journalism played during the struggle for
independence in the sub-continent.
Week Ten: English Newspapers during Pakistan Movement
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Dawn
Eastern Times
The Star of India
The Morning News
Pakistan Times
Urdu Newspapers during Pakistan Movement
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Inqalab 1927
Jang (at the start of 2nd WW)
Ehsan 1934
Shahbaz 1938
Nawa-i-Waqat 1940
Manshoor 1942
Tanweer
Millat 1944
Tanzeem
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[ZARA IDREES]

MCOM 319
Media History
Azad
Key Objectives:
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The different era that the English and Urdu newspapers have gone through and the various
forms they took through that transition.
Week Eleven: Present English & Urdu Journalism
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New Trends in Jounalism
Problems or hurdles in the development of Media in Pakistan
Media in different eras (Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, 1971 crisis, Benazir, Nawaz regime,
Musharaf's era).
Key Objectives:
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To make students realize what is taking place in the contemporary world of journalism.
The uphill task journalism has had to face whilst fighting for the freedom of expression
during successive military dictatorship and democratic periods of history.
Core Reading:
1. Competitive Journalism by Abid Masoud Tehami
Week Twelve: History of Television
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The growth of TV industry in Pakistan transition from PTV to private Satellite Channels
Key Objectives:
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The reasons which led to the popularity of this medium.
To make students understand the effects of cultural homogenization that occurs through
television.
Week Thirteen: History of Popular Media
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History of Advertising and consumer culture.
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History of Cinema all over the world and its introduction in Pakistan
Key Objectives:
 To familiarize students with popular forms of media and the reason behind their saturating
the media industry.
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[ZARA IDREES]
MCOM 319
Media History
Week Fourteen: History of Internet
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Development of WWW
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Social Web Media Penetration and its economic, social and political implications.
Key Objectives:
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Since the favorite mode of communication in contemporary times is the Internet, its use as a
medium for communication will be discussed.
Week Fifteen: The diversity of Cell Phones as Communication platforms
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Development of Cell phone technology.
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Diversity of the cell phone as a communication platform.
Key Objectives:
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The most popular mode of communication is the cell phone these days and used for a number
of purposes. In this section we will explore its diversity and the multitude of ways users have
utilized the resources it offers.
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