syllabus of Certificate Course in Content Writing 1 Syllabus Mumbai University

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Copy to : -
1. The Deputy Registrar, Academic Authorities Meetings and Services
(AAMS),
2. The Deputy Registrar, College Affiliations & Development
Department (CAD),
3. The Deputy Registrar, (Admissions, Enrolment, Eligibility and
Migration Department (AEM),
4. The Deputy Registrar, Research Administration & Promotion Cell
(RAPC),
5. The Deputy Registrar, Executive Authorities Section (EA),
6. The Deputy Registrar, PRO, Fort, (Publi cation Section),
7. The Deputy Registrar, (Special Cell),
8. The Deputy Registrar, Fort/ Vidyanagari Administration Department
(FAD) (VAD), Record Section,
9. The Director, Institute of Distance and Open Learni ng (IDOL Admin),
Vidyanagari,
They are requested to treat this as action taken report on the concerned
resolution adopted by the Academic Council referred to in the above circular
and that on separate Action Taken Report will be sent in this connection.

1. P.A to Hon’ble Vice -Chancellor ,
2. P.A Pro -Vice-Chancellor,
3. P.A to Registrar,
4. All Deans of all Faculties,
5. P.A to Finance & Account Officers, (F.& A.O),
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7. P.A to Director, Innovation, Incubation and Linkages,
8. P.A to Director, Board of L ifelong Learning and Extension (BLLE),
9. The Director, Dept. of Information and Communication Technology
(DICT) (CCF & UCC), Vidyanagari,
10. The Director of Board of Student Development,
11. The Director, Department of Students Walfare (DSD),
12. All Deputy Registrar, Examination House,
13. The Deputy Registrars, Finance & Accounts Section,
14. The Assistant Registrar, Administrative sub -Campus Thane,
15. The Assistant Registrar, School of Engg. & Applied Sciences, Kalyan,
16. The Assistant Registrar, Ratnagiri sub -centre, Ratnagiri,
17. The Assistant Registrar, Constituent Colleges Unit,
18. BUCTU,
19. The Receptionist,
20. The Telephone Operator,
21. The Secretary MUASA

for information.

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Submission on Feasibility of Starting New Courses as per the Provision of
Maharashtra Public University Act 2016
Ac - 23/7/2020, Resolution No. 4.26

CERT IFICATE COURSE IN CONTENT WRITING

1. Necessity of Starting this course:
A. With the world going digital, the demands of the job market have changed
and Content Writing has emerged as a very lucrative and promising career.
In the present crisis of the pandemic too and the rise in “work from home”
jobs, a content writer fits the bi ll, so to say. A content writer does not need
to report to office and can work from anywhere they choose.
B. Although no specialized degree in literature of mass media is required to
become a content writer, a degree in literature or mass media comes as an
added advantage to the cutting edge competition in the field. A certificate
course in enhancing the skill in content writing will definitely help to:
i. Expose and prepare students for a lucrative employment opportunity
ii. Equip students with demands of the digi tal world with global
competency
iii. Bridge the gap existing between academia and industry.

2. Whether UGC has recommended to start the said Courses?
UGC has given guidelines for introduction of career oriented courses
( https://www.ugc.ac.in/oldpdf/xiplanpdf/revisedcareerorientedcourses.pdf ).
Universities are allowed to run the diploma / certificate courses and with due
approval of its governing councils/ stat utory council wherever required
(Ref: https://www.ugc.ac.in/faq.aspx ). However, u/s 5(16) under Maharashtra
Public Universities Act, 2016 (Mah. Act No. VI of 2017), Universities are
empowered to start to prescribe the courses of instruction and studies in choice
based credit system for the various examinations leading to specific degrees,
diplomas or certificates in a stand -alone format or joint format with other Stat e
or national or global universities.

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3. Whether all the courses have commenced from academic year 2019 -20?
The above certificate course recommended by the BoS in English, and further
approved by the statutory bodies is to be introduced from the Academic Year
2020 -2021 .
4. The courses started by the University are self -financed, whether adequate
number of eligible permanent Faculties are available?
The certificate course is purely self -financed. The department/affiliated
colleges interes ted in its affiliation need to comply with the norms laid down as
above.
5. To give details regarding duration of the course and is it possible to
compress the course?
The duration of the course is maximum 6 month {6 Months (July -December /
January -June) } with total 30 contact hours consist of maximum 2 Credits on
completion of total 30 hours.
6. The intake capacity of each course and no. of admissions given in the
current academic year (2019 -20)
The intake capacity is set to maximum 40 students per batch.
7. Opportunities of employability/employment available a fter undertaking
these courses:
1. Be employed by various web -journals and other companies like Spark in
Words to create and write various types of content.
2. Be employed with marketing firms or for that mat ter, any corporate firm for
writing marketing content such as brochures, fliers, etc., to appeal to
customers to buy a product through catchy headlines and slugs. Content
writers can be employed for Public Relations writing to write newsletters,
press rele ases and bulletins. Technical writing deals with literature like user
manuals and do -it-yourself kits.
3. Be hired for various web -content writing projects. Websites need to update
their content regularly to keep it fresh and relevant.
4. Be hired for content wr iting in fields of health, lifestyle, children’s writing,
academic writing, copywriting and fashion.

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5. Free lancing in web content creation and editing.
6. Earn online by creating one’s own blog or other web -content.
***********************

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1

University of Mumbai
Certificate Course in Content Writing
Syllabus (with effect from the academic year 2020 -21)
(Choice Based Credit System)

Board of Studies in English
Dr. Sudhir Nikam (Chairperson)
Dr. Rajesh Karankal (Member) Dr. Santosh Rathod (Member)
Dr. Bhagyashree Varma (Member) Dr. Deepa Mishra (Member)
Dr. B. N. Gaikwad (Member) Dr. Dattaguru Joshi (Member)
Dr. Satyawan Hanegave (Member) Dr. Deepa Murdeshwar -Katre (Member)


Syllabus Sub -Committee
Dr. Deepa Murdeshwar -Katre (Convener ): Department of English, Vartak College ,
Vasai Road , Dist. Palghar

Dr. Shilpa Sapre (Member ): Department of English, D. B. J. College, Chiplun

Mrs. Bhaswati Parasar (Member ): Department of English, Rizvi College, Bandra,
Mumbai

Dr. Gautami Ambiye (Member ): Department of English, Patkar -Varde College,
Goregaon, Mumbai

Mrs. Shanti Polameri (Member ): Department of English, Maharashtra College,
Byculla, Mumbai

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Board of Studies in English

Syllabus
1 Title of the Course Certificate Course in Content Writing
2 Eligibility for Admission Candidate who passed 10+2 examination in Arts /
Science / Commerce or equivalent examination
3 Intake Capacity 40 Students per batch
4 Passing Marks The candidate must obtain 40 % of the total marks
in external and internal examination to pass the
course
5 Selection First Come First Served Basis
6 Credits 02 Credits
7 Duration of the Course 6 Months (July -December / January -June)
8 Number of Lectures 30 Hours
9 Fee Structure Rs. 2000/ - (The fee covers tuition fee,
remuneration of teacher, infrastructural expenses,
books, station ery, examination fee etc.)
10 Teaching Faculty
Qualification As per UGC Guidelines
11 Remuneration of T eacher As per University / Government Guidelines
12 Centre Any College/Department/Institution under the
purview of the University of Mumbai
13 Level P.G. / U.G. / Diploma / Certificate
(Strike out which is not applicable)
14 Pattern Yearly / Semester
(Strike out which is not applicable)
15 Status To be implemented from the
Academic Year 2020 -2021

Date:
Signature:

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Certificate Course in Content Writing
Preamble:
Content Writing has emerged as a very lucrative and promising career with the advent of the
internet. Although no specialized degree is requir ed to become a content writer, a degree in
literature or mass media comes as an added advantage to the cutting edge competition in the
field. A certificate course in enhancing the skill in content writing will definitely help to bridge
the gap existing between academia and industry. Therefore, tremendous efforts have been taken
by th e Board of Studies in English, Mumbai University to enhance the employability skills of
the students of English literature. The current syllabus in Content Wri ting has been prepared
keeping in mind the broad obj ectives of the Board of Studies in English and is meant for
students who wish to make a career in this field. The syllabus is designed to equip students to
understand, polish and sharpen their writing ski lls to become a competent web content
developer. The syllabus includes theoretical knowledge as well as practicals in the form of
assignments to be submitted after the end of each module. Hands -on training under established
content writers has also been suggested after the cours e is completed by the students. The
syllabus aims to enable students to enter the industry with enhanced skill and substantial
competence.
 Necessity of the Course:
A. With the world going digital, the demands of the job market have changed and
Content Writing has emerged as a very lucrative and promising career. In the
present crisis of the pandemic too and the rise in “work from home” jobs, a content
writer fits the bi ll, so to say. A content writer does not need to report to office and
can work from anywhere they choose.
B. Although no specialized degree in literature of mass media is required to become a
content writer, a degree in literature or mass media comes as an added advantage to
the cutting edge competition in the field. A certificate course in enhancing the skill
in content writing will definitely help to:
i. Expose and prepare students for a lucrative employment opportunity
ii. Equip students with demands of the digi tal world with global competency
iii. Bridge the gap existing between academia and industry.

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Objectives:
1. To introduce learners to the basic concepts of Content Writing
2. To sensitize them to the various styles and techniques of writing and editing
3. To nourish their creative faculty
4. To increase employability of the learners
5. To create industry -academia interface through institutional support

Learning Outcomes: After the completion of the course, students will be equipped with
1. The basic concepts of Content Writing
2. The knowledge of various styles and techniques of writing and editing
3. A nourishment of their creativ e skills
4. An enhancement of their employability
5. A creation of an industry -academia interface through institutional support

Unit I: Basics of Content writing (06 lectures)
5. Principles and processes of content writing

Unit IV: Tools of the trade (06 lectures)
A. Social Media
1. Understanding the basics of social media
2. Understanding social media content writing
3. Understanding PR

B. Plagiarism laws in Content Writing
1. What is plagiarism, rules on plagiarism
2. How to write plagiarism -free copies
1. The Concept of Content Writing and its relevance
2. Role and Functions of Content Writers
3. Print and Web Content Writing
4. Scope and Types of Content Writing

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C. Free tools and paid tools
Evaluation Pattern:
A) Internal Assessment (40 marks)
Sr. No. Particulars Marks
1. Assignment 1: Developing some selected text in any two styles
or editing and proof -reading two selected texts on Unit II 10 marks Unit II: Types of Content writing (11 lectures)
1. The process of Content Writing – getting the brief, ideating, researching, structuring,
formatting
2. Editing and Proof -Reading —following company style sheet, grammar, copy flow,
restructuring, market research
3. Writing Styles - Non-fiction (Essays, Reports), Advertising, Newspapers
4. Writing blogs, case studies, white papers
5. Corporate Communications -- Writing for business to business (B2B), business to
consumer (B2C), press releases, newsletters – focus on language, jargon, writing
style, target audience, formal and informal language


Unit III: (07 lectures)
A. Visual Content
1. Infographics - Importance and relevance
2. Images , Screenshots
3. Videos, Memes, GIFs, 30 degree videos
4. Product Demonstrations
B. Interactive Content

1. Quizzes
2. Polls
3. Interactive white papers

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2. Assignment 2: Creating one sample for Part A or Part B of Unit
III 10 marks
3. Internship of 6 days with a content writer /firm followed by a
presentation of the experience 20 marks

B) Semester End Examination Pattern: (60 marks)
Question 1: On Unit I:
a) Objective questions
b) Short Notes (Any 2 out of 4)

05 marks
10 marks
Question 2: On Unit II with internal choices
15 marks
Question 3: On Unit III with internal choices
15 marks
Question 4: Short notes on Unit IV (Any 3 out of 5)
15 marks

Reading List:
Web Resources:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/247908
https://www.locationrebel.com/b2b -writing/
https://wordpress.com/support/prevent -content -theft/
https://blog.unisquareconcepts.com/content -writing/what -is-plagiarism -why-is-it-
important -for-blog-writing/



https://www.mindler.com/blog/how -to-become -a-content -writer -in-india/
https://www.clearvoice.com/blog/10 -types -content -writers -use/
https://study.com/articl es/What_is_a_Content_Writer.html

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YouTube Video URL List :

https://youtu.be/u3jVX2EOMlU
https://youtu.be/Fc3nABpdrJA
https://youtu.be/A6_7zC0mB9w
https://youtu.be/uQXf_d5Mgjg

Note :
1. At the end of the course, the Centre (College/Institute/Department) should ensure that
the university r ules and regulations have been duly followed.
2. On the basis of examination results and credits earned by the student, the Centre will
issue the joint certificate with the name of University and College/Institute/Department.

N.B.: THE CENTER SHOULD ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTAN DING
WITH RECOGNISED CONTENT WRITER / FIRM TO ENSURE STUDENTS’ VISIT FOR
ACTIVE LEARNING WITH PRACTICAL EXPOSURE
Feldar, Lynda. Writing for the Web: Creating Compelling Web Content Using Words,
Pictures, and Sound . New Riders, CA, USA. ISBN -13: 978-0321794437, ISBN -
10: 9780321794437 .
James, Anthony. Blog Writing : The Content Creation Blueprint . Amazon digital services LLD -
KDP print US, 2018 .
Jones, Colleen. Clout: The Art and Science of Influential Web Content . New Riders, CA,
USA. ISBN -13: 978-0321733016, ISBN -10: 0321733010 .
Nielsen, Jakob and Budiu, Raluca . Mobile Usability . New Riders, CA, USA. ISBN -
13: 978-0321884480, ISBN -10: 0321884485 .
Redish, Janice. Letting Go Of The Words : Writing Web Content That Works . Morgan
Kaufmann. ISBN: 0123859301 .
Robinson Joseph. Content Writing Step-by-step. Amazon digital services LLC --KDP print
US, 2020. ISBN: 9798603871929 .
Williams, Andy. How To Write Great Website Content in 2019 . Independent ly published.
ISBN: 1731384467 .