The revised Bachelor of Media Studies (BMS) programme prepares learners for a career in media studies. The areas of concentration in the revised BMS include journalism (print, multimedia), broadcasting (radio and television) and media studies. The main target include successful BGCSE graduates who would be interested in joining the local and international media industry, in order to:
The normal minimum entrance requirements shall be the Botswana BGCSE or equivalent with a minimum grade of C or better in English Language.
Candidates who do not meet the normal minimum entrance requirements but have a credit in English Language and work experience of minimum two years in the media industry may be admitted into level 100.
Candidates who have the BGCSE or equivalent and the certificate in media related field from a recognized institution may be admitted directly to Level 100 of the programme.
Candidates with a diploma in a media related field or its equivalent may be admitted into either level 200 or 300 of the program on the basis of accumulated credits in the areas of media studies, journalism and broadcasting.
Graduates of this programme can expect to fill skills gaps in the government, private sector and non-governmental organisations where they can assume or serve camera persons, broadcasters, journalists, radio presenters, television presenters, editors, documentary producers, script writers, television producers, video editors, sound designers, studio technicians and engineers, and live TV producers.
To be awarded the “Bachelor of Media Studies” qualification, a learner must complete all the required cores, optional, GEC and electives, and language courses.
Assessment in the revised BMS programme includes both summative and formative
Assessment in the theory-based courses includes 100% Continuous Assessment comprising of some of the following: short answer tests, essays, presentations, tutorials, computer-based tests).
Assessment in practical based courses include the following:
The revised BMS full-time programme extends over eight semesters. It is available as a single major, and as part of a double major or major/minor within the BA (Humanities) combination.
The revised programme comprises of the general media studies, journalism, radio broadcasting, television broadcasting courses, and electives from other Departments. Other courses include basic language proficiency courses offered in the Departments of African Languages and Literature, Chinese Studies, English and French.
The total minimum credits required to complete the programme is 124 and all students enrolled in the programme are expected to complete all the required GEC (10 credits), Language (6 credits), Cores (84 credits), other optional courses (15 credits) and electives courses (9 credits).
At level 300, students are provided with an opportunity to do an attachment in UB during semester 6 (BMS341 - Media Practice 1), and then externally during semester 7 (BMS451 Media Practice 2).
Two final project/dissertation courses (BMS441 and BMS451) are offered in two semesters, the first being a proposal writing stage and the second a dissertation writing /project production stage.
BMS110 History of World Media (3) CORE
BMS111 Media in Botswana (3) CORE
COM111 Communication & Academic Literacy Skills 1 (3) CORE
ICT121 Computer Skills Fundamentals 1 (2) CORE
ENG121 Introduction to English Language, Description & Usage (3) CORE
ALC121 Introduction to the Study of Language & Linguistics (3) OPTIONAL
CHN105 Basic Practical Mandarin 1 (3) OPTIONAL
ENG113 Introduction to Literature and Prose (3) OPTIONAL
FRE217 French Language 1 (3) OPTIONAL
17 CREDITS
BMS 112 Introduction to Media Technology (3) CORE
BMS 113 Theories of Mass Communication (3) CORE
COM112 Communication & Academic Literacy Skills 11 (3) CORE
ICT122 Computer Skills Fundamentals 2 (2) CORE
ENG131 Writing in English (3) CORE
ALC141 Introduction to Oral Literature & Indigenous Knowledge (3) OPTIONAL
CHN106 Basic Practical Mandarin 11 (3) OPTIONAL
ENG123 Introduction to Literature, Drama & Poetry (3) OPTIONAL
FRE227 French Language 11 (3) OPTIONAL
17 CREDITS
BMS221 Introduction to Journalism (3) CORE
BMS222 Introduction to Broadcasting (3) CORE
BMS224 Introduction to Film and Video (3) CORE
BDM206 Desktop Publishing (3) OPTIONAL
BMS237 Television Studio Directing & Producing (3) OPTIONAL
BMS246 Interviewing Techniques in Broadcast Media (3) OPTIONAL
1 Elective Course (3)
15 CREDITS
BDM210 Digital Photography (3) CORE
BMS226 Ethics for Media Professionals (3) CORE
BMS229 Basics of Video Production (3) CORE
BMS236 Multimedia Journalism (3) OPTIONAL
BMS247 Television News Writing & Production (3) OPTIONAL
BMS248 Radio News Writing & Production (3) OPTIONAL
1 Elective Course (3)
15 CREDITS
BMS320 Media & Society (3) CORE
BMS321 Media Law (3) CORE
BMS340 Sound Design (3) CORE
BMS342 Special Topics in Media (3) CORE
BMS345 Reporting Health, Science and Technology (3) OPTIONAL
BMS347 Television Magazine Script Writing & Production (3) OPTIONAL
BMS348 Radio Magazine Writing & Production (3) OPTIONAL
15 CREDITS
BMS328 Communication Research Methods (3) CORE
BMS341 Media Practice 1 (6) CORE
BMS343 Introduction to Data Driven Journalism (3) CORE
BMS332 Beat Reporting (3) OPTIONAL
BMS357 Television Entertainment Shows (3) OPTIONAL
BMS358 Educational Broadcasting (3) OPTIONAL
15 CREDITS
BMS421 Current Issues in African Media (3) CORE
BMS441 Media Project / Dissertation 1 (3) CORE
BMS442 Media Practice 2 (6) CORE
BMS423 Investigative Journalism (3) OPTIONAL
BMS425 Television Drama, Writing & Production (3) OPTIONAL
BMS424 Radio Drama, Writing & Production (3) OPTIONAL
15 CREDITS
BMS 451 Media Project / Dissertation 2 (6) CORE
BMS 443 Programming and Station Management (3) CORE
BMS 429 Media Management & Entrepreneurship (3) CORE
1 Elective Course (3)
15 CREDITS