Diploma in Professional Communication

COURSE MODULES

Year 1

Creative Writing

This module introduces you to creative writing through analysis of literature and understanding of the narrative structure and thematic approach in creative writing. You will be exposed to various kinds of literature and methods of analysing elements that make writing an effective medium to express ideas or content.

Mass Communication Fundamentals

By understanding the historical development and current structure of the media, you will be encouraged to reflect upon the relationship between mass communication and our society. You are taught the various forms of communication elements and processes in order to better understand media messages, thus helping you explore the impact of media content on audience attitudes and behaviours.

Media Audiences

You will explore the concept of media audiences from four broad perspectives: as consumers of mass media, as market constructions and commodities, as users of media, and as producers and subcultures of mass media.

Media, Culture and Society

This module will give you an introductory overview of various key concepts and approaches in understanding media and cultural studies. You will explore, discuss and analyse various ideologies, cultures, media, power, meaning, and approaches both in the aspect of media and culture. Elements of research and analysis will be incorporated to provide you a better understanding of journals, case studies and so on. 

Visual Communication

This module gives you an insight into the cultural analysis of visuals and their meanings. Workshops/studio time will be utilised to experiment with these relationships and further explore your technical skills and knowledge. 

Digital Photography

This module will give you a basic introduction to photography and digital imaging, while covering a range of related topics from display design to basic knowledge on how to use a DSLR. Case studies on famous photographs will be used during discussions. 

Computer Graphics

You will be introduced to the most basic design software used today and taught to handle simple and basic computer design functions and applications.

Presentation Skills

This module exposes you to the skills needed for effective presentations. It also encourages you to think critically about your audience and the purpose of presenting while planning for and delivering a presentation.

Communication in A Globalised World

In this module, you will delve into how cross cultural communication is a strategically important component in business, media studies, and human communication in general. Due to technology and the Internet, understanding cross-cultural communication is important for understanding the diversity of the workforce and planning on conducting global business. This type of communication involves an understanding of how people from different cultures speak, communicate, and perceive the world around them, especially in the digital age.

Video Production

This module introduces you to the procedures and techniques of video production. You will learn the technical practices and creative skills required to produce a video through practical workshops, supervised exercises, screenings and discussions. It has a balanced treatment of pre-production, production, and post-production for single-camera video productions in creative aspects. 

New Media Studies

You will be taught critical concepts and hands-on skills related to ‘new social media’. In this module, you will also have the chance to consider the significant shifts of new media in the reading, viewing and listening experiences while remaining mindful of new media’s connections with the older media.

Writing For the Media

This introductory module teaches you a broad range of relevant writing techniques used in the media industry today. Both fiction and non-fiction writing methods will be explored.  

Year 2

Media Ethics and Regulations

Personal ethics play an important role in maintaining the health and stability of the media industry and society at large, thus making this module central to the programme. Rules and regulations in Malaysia are taught to enable you to identify some of the legal boundaries of the industry and to ensure you are well-equipped with the relevant do's and dont's within the media diaspora.   

Convergent Journalism

This module is an advanced subject exposing you to varied media technologies when disseminating news. It seeks to familiarise you with the tenets of media writing and curation in the digital age to suit contemporary and online audiences. Students are expected to showcase their maturity and ability to produce publish-ready articles and understand the business, cultural and technological importance of media convergence for future employment.

PR Campaign Strategies

This module provides you with a step-by-step checklist of planning and implementing PR campaigns.  It emphasises on building socially responsible relations.  You will also be taught the essential elements and cutting-edge tools needed to execute events that form part of a campaign.

Industry Project

This module helps you develop strategies which will extend your learning beyond the educational institution and merge with the industry. The Industry Project exposes you to industry practices, testing their knowledge, communication skills and practical skills achieved from semester 1 onwards. A thorough analysis will be documented in the form of a comprehensive report.

Communication Research

This module introduces you to the basics of academic research and writing. You will be exposed to various research methods and sections of academic research, proposal papers and the final paper. 

Publicity and Media Relations

This module is designed to provide you with an understanding of the role the media plays in publicity and promotions. This module helps you acquire skills and techniques to utilise both print and electronic media from a PR perspective. With these abilities, you will be able to practice good publicity and media relations through detailed plans and targeted strategies. 

Corporate Communication

This module equips you with an extensive knowledge on corporate communication by covering both the internal and external aspects of the subject. This includes employees, community, and financial and governmental PR. This module will also delve into the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in today's society.

Media in an International Context

This module develops your knowledge and understanding the media institutions’ patterns in other national contexts across the globe. You are provided with a comparison between the organisation of media institutions within different national contexts and will examine the changing landscapes of media in modern societies. Topics include understanding the relationship between different political models, social structures and organisation of the media, as well as prominent debates in today’s contemporary societies.

ELECTIVE MODULES

Choose any 2 modules below:

Principles of Journalism

You will learn how journalism differs significantly from other forms of media in terms of daily processes and practices, regulation, as well as writing techniques.  

Public Relations

This introductory course develops your understanding of public relations theories and practice, as well as the importance and place of public relations as a management function. It also increases your understanding of public relations through case studies and assignments and enhances your creativity in solving public relations problems.

Introduction to Events

You will be exposed to the understanding of event management theories and practice and the importance of Event Management as a management function. This module also increases your understanding of event management practice through case studies and assignments, as well as enhances your creativity in problem-solving.

Principles of Advertising

This module underlines basic advertising concepts, as well as the roles that advertisers, advertising agencies, the media and other related professional bodies play in the industry and how the industry works to reach its target audience.

Principles of Marketing

In this module, you will discuss the role of marketing, managing markets from the perspective of information system management, analysis of markets, managing products, promotions and pricing and distribution strategies.

MPU MODULES

Bahasa Melayu Komunikasi 1 or Pengajian Malaysia 2

Bahasa Melayu Komunikasi 1 teaches international students the basics of the Malay language to help in their daily communication. You will also learn to read, write and understand simple sentences and paragraphs in Malay. Pengajian Malaysia 2 discusses history and politics, the Constitution, administrative systems and structures, community and unity, nation-building and religious beliefs. You will foster a strong sense of national identity and patriotism

Study of Religions

This module aims to develop your understanding of the living religions of the world with major emphasis on fundamental doctrines and beliefs, historical development, institutions, teachings and also practices.

Bahasa Kebangsaan A or Problem Solving and Decision Making

Bahasa Kebangsaan A helps in grasping the national language to effectively communicate, and express thoughts clearly and creatively through verbal and written communication. Problem Solving And Decision Making introduces you to the concepts and strategies in problem solving and decision making with the intention of providing you with the concepts, processes and possible outcomes in problem solving and decision making. Students are expected to apply these concepts and processes to a variety to problems and scenarios within the creative communication industry.

Serving Our Society (S.O.S.)

S.O.S  is a student-run society that supports both local and international community work, as well as strengthens the bond between students and staff through community activities.