Introduction To Communication I Syllabus

CMS 101        INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION I

Course Compact

Faculty: Communication and Media Studies                                           

Department: (All Departments)

Course Code: CMS101                                           Unit(s): 2                      Semester: First

Course Title: Introduction To Communication I

Lecturer:                                          Programme: B.Sc.

 

 (A). BRIEF OVERVIEW OF COURSE

This course is designed to provide a global overview of the history, institutions and functions of communication in human society. It further examines the concepts, levels/categories and elements of human communication. Students will be exposed to the role and influence of cultural beliefs and practices as well as changing technologies in human communication. The basic concepts of communication and the skills necessary to communicate in a variety of contexts will be discussed in this course. There will be a special focus on communication theories and techniques used in various communication scenarios – interpersonal, group, public, intercultural and mass communication. At the end of this course, students should be able to explain and illustrate the forms and purposes of human communication in diverse contexts.

 

 (B). COURSE OBJECTIVES/GOALS

By the end of this course, students will have learned:

1. Basic concepts of communication
2. History/institutions and Functions of communication
3. Elements of human communication
4. Influence of cultural beliefs and practices on human communication
5. Changing technologies in human communication
6. Communication skills
7. Theories and techniques used in different communication situations – interpersonal, group, public, intercultural, and mass communication.

 

 (C). METHOD OF LECTURE DELIVERY

1. Lectures
2. Quizzes
3. Assignments
4. Practical Classroom Sessions

 

(D). Grading Scale

Grade                                    Requirement

A                                            70 – 100

B                                            60 – 69

C                                            50 – 59

D                                            40 – 49

F                                             Below 40

 

(E). COURSE OUTLINE

1. Introduction

Definition of communication

Basic communication concepts/Elements of communication process (sender/receiver, message, channel, encoding/decoding process, feedback, noise, environment, frame of reference)

 2. Basic categories/types of communication

(verbal/ non-verbal, formal/information, written, visual)

3. Levels (contexts) of communication

Intrapersonal

Interpersonal

Group Communication

Public Communication

Mass Communication (non-interactive),

Computer Mediated Communication (interactive))

 4. Functions of communication

Control

Motivation

Emotional expression

Information

 5. History of communication

How did communication begin?

Ancient communication

15^th and 16^th century communication

17^th century communication

18^th century communication

19^th century communication

20^th century communication

21st century communication

 6. Influence of cultural beliefs and practices on human communication

What is culture?

Cultural beliefs and practices

Culture and human communication

How culture controls human communication

7. Changing technologies in human communication

Communication technologies

The new media

New media and human communication

How technology has changed human interaction

8. Communication skills

Active listening, Adapting your communication style to your audience, Friendliness, Confidence, Giving and receiving feedback, Volume and clarity, Empathy, Respect, Understanding nonverbal cues, Responsiveness (etc.).

9. Theories of Human communication

What is theory?

Concept of human communication theory

Specific human communication theories

10. Techniques used in different communication situations

Intrapersonal communication

Interpersonal communication

Group communication

Public communication

Intercultural communication

Mass communication

 11. Group activities/practical assignments

 

(F). RECOMMENDED TEXTS

Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Ivy, D. K. (2010). Communication: Principles for lifetime (4th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

DeVito, Joseph, A. (2015). Human Communication: The Basic Course. Boston, MA: Pearson.

 

(G). IMPORTANT LINKS

Click on the following links to read articles;

Types and levels of communication

What is communication and functions of communication:

Communication skills:

Theories of Human Communication (Littlejohn and Foss, 2011, tenth edition):

A Brief History of Communication and Innovations that Changed the Game:

 

CMS 102  INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION II

Course Compact

Faculty: Communication and Media Studies                                           

Department: (All Departments)

Course Code: CMS102                                           Unit(s): 2                      Semester: Second

Course Title: Introduction To Communication II

Lecturer:                                          Programme: B.Sc.

 

(A). BRIEF OVERVIEW OF COURSE

This is an extension of the first part (Introduction to Communication I) done in the first semester. It consists of additional discourses on global overview of the history, institutions and functions of communication in human society. It involves a continuation of a number of topics taught in the first part of the course with additional ones such as media communications as a sub-type of human communication, an overview of the progress; models, and elements of media communications; survey of the media, including their adjuncts. At the end of this course, students should be able to explain and illustrate the characteristics, functions, contents, operations and impact of the media as well as national media systems and communication between/across nations.

(B). COURSE OBJECTIVES/GOALS

By the end of this course, students will have learned:

1. Concepts of human communication; types of human communication (a brief review)
2. What is media communication?
3. Elements of media communications
4. Characteristics of the media
5. Models and functions of the media
6. Adjuncts of the media (their nature and operations)
7. Contents, operations and impact of the media
8. National media systems/comparative media systems
9. Communication patterns between/across nations

(C). METHOD OF LECTURE DELIVERY

1. Lectures
2. Quizzes
3. Assignments
4. Practical Classroom Sessions

(D). Grading Scale

Grade                                    Requirement

A                                            70 – 100

B                                            60 – 69

C                                            50 – 59

D                                            40 – 49

F                                             Below 40

 (E). COURSE OUTLINE

1. Introduction

Concepts of human communication; types of human communication (a brief review)

 2.  Definition of media communication

(various channels of human communication)

3. Elements of media communications

(audience, messages, channels, etc.; relate them to media communication process)

4. Functions of the media

Surveillance of the Environment

The Correlation Function

Cultural Transmission and Influencing Societal Norms

Education and Entertainment

5. Types and Characteristics of the media

Types (print, broadcast, outdoor, internet)

Characteristics (what makes each type unique?)

6. Models of the media

 

7. Contents, operations and impact of the media

Media contents (news, adverts, various programmes, audio/visual)

Media operations (how media business works)

Impact of the media in the society

8. Adjuncts of the media

(Nature and operations of news agencies; advertising, public relations).

9. National media systems/comparative media systems

What is media system?

Types of media systems (Western Media System, Revolutionary Media System, Communist Media System, Development Media System, Authoritarian Media System)

Indicators of a Media System

Media systems in Africa

Globalization and media systems

 10. Communication patterns between/across nations

Communication and culture

New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO) Debate

Globalization

11. Group activities/practical assignments

 

(F). RECOMMENDED TEXTS

Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Ivy, D. K. (2010). Communication: Principles for lifetime (4th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

 

DeVito, Joseph,A. (2015). Human Communication: The Basic Course. Boston, MA: Pearson.

Beauchamp, S. R. & Baran, S. (2019). Introduction to Human Communication: Perception, Meaning, and Identity, Second Edition. Oxford University Press.

(G). IMPORTANT LINKS

Click on the following links to read articles;

Adjunct and impact of the mass media:

Communication Styles as Dimensions of National Culture:

Media systems beyond national boundaries: Towards a new paradigm?

What Does Medium Mean in the Communication Process?

Media: Types of media, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages: