With the unbundling of Mass Communication programme in Nigeria, the face of communication education in the country has changed. The programme has transited into a full college/faculty while individual courses have adapted to the change. While several new courses now exist in the seven new departments, some of the courses you used to know before have also taken a new shape. We have done a thorough research on what these courses offer in universities across the world; and we have provided prototype syllabus for students to study ahead. This is also to assist lecturers who might be facing new challenges with several new courses to have an idea of what the syllabus of each course offers.
Course Compact for Introduction to Communication I
Faculty: Communication and Media Studies
Department: Journalism & Media Studies
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:
- Basic concepts of communication
- History/institutions and Functions of communication
- Elements of human communication
- Influence of cultural beliefs and practices on human communication
- Changing technologies in human communication
- Communication skills
- Theories and techniques used in different communication situations – interpersonal, group, public, intercultural, and mass communication.
(C). METHOD OF LECTURE DELIVERY
- Lectures
- Quizzes
- Assignments
- 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
15th and 16th century communication
17th century communication
18th century communication
19th century communication
20th 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:
Theories of Human Communication (Littlejohn and Foss, 2011, tenth edition):
A Brief History of Communication and Innovations that Changed the Game:
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