Syllabus for Journalism & Media Studies Courses: Intro to Communication I

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

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.).