MDJ-001 IGNOU Guess Paper 2026-27

Course Scope and Syllabus Overview for MDJ-001: Health Journalism

MDJ-001: Health Journalism is a specialized course under the Master of Arts in Development Journalism (MADJ) curriculum, designed to equip students with the analytical and practical skills required to report on health issues critically and ethically. This course bridges journalism and public health, emphasizing evidence-based reporting, media ethics, and the role of journalism in shaping health policies. Students explore the intersection of health communication, media advocacy, and community engagement, preparing them for careers in health reporting, policy analysis, and media advocacy within the broader development journalism framework.

Key Syllabus Units & Topics

• Block-1: Understanding Health: This block introduces foundational concepts of health, including biological, social, and environmental determinants, while examining global health challenges such as infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and health disparities. Students analyze health data and its interpretation in journalistic contexts.
• Block-2: Health Care: Planning, Policy, and Management: Focuses on the organizational structures of healthcare systems, policy formulation, and management strategies. Topics include healthcare financing, governance models, and the role of media in influencing health policies and service delivery.
• Block-3: Public Health and Media: Explores the symbiotic relationship between public health initiatives and media representation, covering health campaigns, risk communication, and the ethical responsibilities of journalists in disseminating health information. Case studies on media-driven health interventions are analyzed.
• Block-4: Health Journalism: Covers advanced techniques in health reporting, including investigative journalism, feature writing, and multimedia storytelling. Emphasis is placed on interviewing health professionals, verifying medical claims, and producing audience-centric health content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the marking scheme for the MDJ-001 Term-End Examination (TEE), and how are internal and external assignments weighted?
A: The TEE for MDJ-001 carries 100 marks, with questions designed to test conceptual understanding, analytical skills, and application of health journalism principles. Internal assignments (e.g., assignments and tutorials) contribute significantly to the final grade, typically accounting for 30% of the total marks, while the TEE constitutes 70%.

Q: Are there specific chapters or topics in MDJ-001 that frequently appear in repeated exam questions, and how can students prioritize their revision?
A: Blocks 1 and 3—Understanding Health and Public Health and Media—often feature prominently in repeated questions due to their foundational and interdisciplinary nature. Students should prioritize revision of core topics like health determinants, media ethics in health reporting, and case studies on health campaigns, while also practicing time management for essay-based and short-answer questions.