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.
There are common courses to be offered by all the seven departments. These are Faculty-wide courses which every student in the Communication and Media Studies Faculty or College must pass before graduating. We have provided the syllabus for each of these common/compulsory courses, particular the ones that have to do with communication and media studies. This excludes the ones from other departments such as Introduction to Statistics or Introduction to Computer & Computer Applications. Our focus is on Communication and Media Studies courses that were made common courses in the curriculum approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC). Here’s the syllabus for common courses in Communication Media Studies Faculty.
See List of Common Courses in Communication and Media Studies Faculty (Which we worked on)
CMS 101 INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION I
CMS 102 INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION II
CMS 103 HISTORY OF NIGERIAN MEDIA
CMS 104 WRITING FOR THE MEDIA
CMS 105 TRADITIONAL AFRICAN COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
CMS 106 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER & COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
CMS 107 INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS I
CMS 201 FEATURE WRITING
CMS 202 CRITICAL AND REVIEW WRITING
CMS 203 EDITING & GRAPHICS OF COMMUNICATION
CMS 204 THEORIES OF COMMUNICATION
CMS 205 FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNICATION RESEARCH
CMS 209: MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY
CMS 301 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION
CMS 302 COMMUNICATION AND SOCIETY
CMS 303 GENDER & COMMUNICATION
CMS 401 MEDIA LAW
CMS 402 MEDIA ETHICS
CMS 403 DATA ANALYSIS IN COMMUNICATION RESEARCH
CMS 404 SAFETY OF MEDIA PROFESSIONALS
CMS 405 MEDIA ECONOMICS AND SUSTAINABILITY
CMS 406 COMMUNICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT
Course 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:
- 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:
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:
- Concepts of human communication; types of human communication (a brief review)
- What is media communication?
- Elements of media communications
- Characteristics of the media
- Models and functions of the media
- Adjuncts of the media (their nature and operations)
- Contents, operations and impact of the media
- National media systems/comparative media systems
- Communication patterns between/across nations
(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
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:
CMS 103 HISTORY OF NIGERIAN MEDIA
COURSE COMPACT
Faculty: Communication and Media Studies
Department: Journalism & Media Studies
Course Code: CMS103 Unit(s): 2 Semester: First
Course Title: History of Nigerian Media
Lecturer: Programme: B.Sc.
(A). BRIEF OVERVIEW OF COURSE
This course is designed to discuss the major trends in the development of the communication and media in Nigeria. It further examines the contributions of the media to the political, religious, economic and social development in Nigeria at various points in history. It explains the evolution of the Nigerian media, contributions of early newspapers in nationalist struggles, the media in the colonial and post colonial era, including contemporary media in Nigeria.
(B). COURSE OBJECTIVES/GOALS
By the end of this course, students will have learned:
- Contributions of missionaries to Nigerian press history
- Evolution of the media in Nigeria
- The media in the colonial era
- The media in the post colonial era
- The media in the era of military regimes
- The history of print and broadcast media in Nigeria
- Contemporary media in Nigeria (the new media era)
(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
Overview of Nigerian Media (landscape)
2. Media Evolution in Nigeria
(From the print to broadcast media; missionaries and Nigerian press history)
3. Nationalism and Nigerian press history
(Zik and the West African Pilot; various nationalists and their newspapers)
4. Local Language newspapers and Nigerian media history
5. Colonial Newspapers
6. Post Independence Media in Nigeria
7. Nigerian media under Military Regimes
8. Evolution of Radio/TV Broadcasting in Nigeria
9. Contemporary Media in Nigeria (the new media era)
10. Class activities/Assignments
(F). IMPORTANT LINKS
Click on the following links to read articles;
Top 10 Local language newspapers in Nigeria
Aro, O.I. (2011). Nigerian Press: The Journey So Far.
CMS 302 COMMUNICATION AND SOCIETY
COURSE COMPACT
Faculty: Communication and Media Studies Department: All Departments
Course Code: CMS 302 Unit(s): 2 Semester: Second
Course Title: Communication and Society
Lecturer: Programme: B.Sc.
(A). BRIEF OVERVIEW OF COURSE
This course is designed to examine the media of communication as social institutions with particular attention to pertinent sociological concepts, themes and problems. It further explores the role of the mass media and their relationship with other major social institutions they in the society. The course focuses on the sociology and professionalism of media communicators, media contents and the issue of cultural imperialism and media dependency. Students will be exposed to the internal dynamics and control of media organizations, including mass communication politics. They will also learn the role of communication in development. This course will enhance students’ understanding of and exposure to dynamics of media technologies, including their implications for individuals, institutions, and society. At the completion of this course, students would have learned basic technical and information literacy skills through hands-on experience with new media technologies. This includes critical thinking and analysis of the impact of media technologies, and how technologies are meaningful to communication and communicative behavior
(B). COURSE OBJECTIVES/GOALS
By the end of this course, students will have learned:
- Meaning of key concepts such communication, society, social institutions, mass media etc.
- Sociological concepts, themes and problem in relation to communication and society
- Mass media roles in the society
- Relationship between mass media and social institutions in the society
- Issues of cultural and media dependency
- Internal dynamics and control of media organizations in the society
- Role of communication in development
- Power relationships in the society within the context of mass communication
- Dynamics of media technologies, including their implications for individuals, institutions, and society
- Basic technical and information literacy skills through hands-on experience with new media technologies;
- Critical thinking and analysis of the impact of media technologies, and how technologies are meaningful to communication and communicative behavior
(C). METHOD OF LECTURE DELIVERY
- Lectures
- Quizzes
- Assignments
- Practical Classroom Sessions
(D). COURSE OUTLINE
1. Introduction
Meaning of key concepts – communication, mass media, society, communication and culture, media literacy).
2. Communication and The Information Society
Meaning of Information Literacy
History of Technology and Information
Information Overload
Communication and Information Infrastructures
History of the Internet
Future of the Internet
Digital Divides
3. Media Literacy
What is media literacy?
What is media education?
Importance of media literacy
Media literacy
Key concepts for understanding media literacy (media are constructions, audiences negotiate meanings, media have commercial, social, and political implications, each medium has a unique aesthetic form)
4. Factors influencing media literacy
Environmental factors (i.e. media availability and media literacy context)
Individual competences (i.e. personal competences)
Social competences (interactions with others)
Gender (male/female)
Timing of media exposure (morning/noon/evening/night)
Area (where audience reside)
Diversification of media use (access and use of various media)
Frequency of media use (how often you use the media);
Media education (learning about media literacy)
5. Concepts, Models, and Theories of Human Communication and the Mass Media
Normative Theories of the press -Authoritarian, Soviet-communist, Social responsibility, Libertarian, Democratic-Participant & Development media theories
Globalization
Global Village
Cultural Imperialism
Technological Determinism
Social Shaping of Technology
Agenda Setting
Gatekeeping
Framing
Public Sphere
Hegemony
Social Learning
Cultivation- Mainstreaming and Synchronization
Aggressive Cues
Carthasis
Propaganda
Dependency
Spiral of Silence
World Systems
Structural Imperialism
6. Role of Communication and the Media in Development of Culture and Society
Conceptualizing key terms (communication, media, development, culture, society)
Evolution of the media
Role of communication and the media in the society
How the media facilitate development of culture and society
Mass media in socialization
Social Inequality and Media Representation
Media content and the real world
Race and media content
Gender and media- workings of communication in creating gender roles and identity in society
Class and the media
7. New Media & Society
Concept of New Media
Kinds of New Media
Internet and society
Social Media and society
Citizen Journalism and society
New media, professionalism and journalism practice
8. Media Effects
Concept of media effects
Understand theories and research about media effects
How media consumption routines affect thinking and behavior
The debate over media effects
Media effects theories
Framing media representations as everyday communication
Issues in Media Effects (violence, identity development, socialization, crime, violence, substance abuse, sexual attitudes and behaviors, marginalization of minority groups, and pathological health practices and other anti-social behaviors).
Images created by the media about the world (race, gender, various continents, ethnic backgrounds, etc.)
9. Class activities and Assignments
(E). RECOMMENDED TEXTS
Sparks, G. (2013). Media Effects Research: A Basic Overview, Fourth edition. Boston, USA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Dominick, J. (2012). Dynamics of Mass Communication, 12th Edition. McGraw-Hill Education.
Nwabueze, C. (2014). Introduction to Mass Communication: Media Ecology in the Digital Age. Owerri: Top Shelve.
(E). IMPORTANT LINKS
What is information literacy (by philau.edu)
What is information literacy (by madisoncollege.edu)
What is media literacy, and why is it important?
Importance of Media literacy, and Key Concepts of Media Literacy
Factors affecting media literacy in early teenagers
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