Introduction

It has been established that communication is life, for any institution or a nation to grow, communication is the key to the success, and this has made us to understand the essence of communication in all human endeavours. The emergence of technology in this 21st century has given room to acceptability and wider usage of all forms of media to reach the whole world and it has made the world to be a global village. The invention of this technology paved way for high demand of expertise and a lot of people have created a niche in it as a profession in the field of Mass Communication for survival. The demand and concentration on it has made virtually ninety percent of tertiary institutions in the country to create a program for training of people in various aspect of it in order to meet the high demand of the market force.

Mass Communication is the process of imparting and exchanging information through mass media to a large segment of population at the same time. It differs from other forms of communication such as intrapersonal, interpersonal group or even organizational communication, because it focuses particularly on resources transmitting information to numerous receivers at the same time. The study of mass communication is not completely, but as most importantly concern with how the content of mass communication persuades or otherwise affects the behaviour, the attitude, opinion, or emotion of the people receiving the information. Mass Communication is proactive more than reactive in the digital age and the advent of new technological wave has brought about the globalization of concepts, events and practices.

Mass Communication uses multiple medium, such as radio, television, social networking, billboards, newspapers, magazines, books, film and the internet to transmit quickly to many people who generally stay far away from the source of information. It is pertinent to note that, there are major connections between the media that is being consumed, via mass communication, and our culture.

Our zeal is to raise generational communicators who can compete favourably both locally and internationally which has led to the establishment of a Department of Mass Communication. The program is designed in such a way that students will be exposed to all aspect of Mass Communication (Journalism-Broadcast and Print, Public Relations and Advertising) that will make them complete mass communicators.

Philosophy of the department

 To offer an undergraduate professionally oriented programme for the aspiring Nigerian Journalists, Communicator, Broadcasters Public Relations and Advertising practioaners.

  • To train and / or retrain Nigerian Journalists, Broadcasters, Public Relations and Advertising Practioners for leadership positions in the mass media organizations in Nigeria and the world.
  • To provide the Mass Communication Students with the opportunity to master the art of communicating with that transcends all disciplines, whether in writing or broadcasting.  Newscasts, or writing a speech for the Company Chief Executive Officer (CEO), or writing Advertising or Public Relation copy to sell or promote a product to the masses.
  • To train Nigerian media men and women, as the trustees of the public trust, to be socially responsible to the communities they serve by being accurate, fair, balanced and objective in their reportage of societal issues.
  • To produce Nigerian Mass Communicators who will continue to protect the basic principles of the PEOPLE’S RIGHT TO KNOW as the Fourth Estate of the Realm.

Aim of the program

The B.Sc. degree in Mass Communication may be awarded as an honours degree. There is no pass degree anymore as it is specially designed to prepare students in both theoretical and practical skills in print and electronic media; public relations and advertising with particular emphasis on the technology of production and application of all non-human resources required to build them up and with the capacity to

  • Be able to communicate effectively and understandably in a multi-cultural  and multilingual environment using resources
  • Effectively use the right technology to create, re-produce, and produce communication resources for print and electronic media purposes.

Objectives

  • To raise and sustain the professional status of Journalism in Nigeria.
  • To bridge the divergent perspectives of News gathering and dissemination.
  • To instill in the mass communication students the ability to respect deadlines and work under pressure.
  • To train Nigerian Mass Communicators to be effective communicators by being able to think quickly , research creatively and WRITE OR BROADCAST concisely to the mass audience.
  • It is expected that the end of the degree program in mass communication, the mass communication graduate should be able to differentiate “Soft News” from “Hard News”, Truth from falsehood. Responsible journalism from irresponsible journalism.
  • At the end of the degree program in Mass Communication: it is expected that the graduate should be equipped enough to establish his/her own Newspapers, Magazines, Public Relations and Advertising Agencies, or even his/her own radio and/ or television stations.

 Career Opportunities

There is a wide spectrum of occupational choices for students in Mass Communication to acquire resources for practice in print and electronic media, to become:

  1. News Reporters and Correspondents for Print and Electronic Media
  2. Print and Broadcast Journalists
  3. Film Producers and Directors
  4. Radio and Television Producers and Presenters
  5. Presenters and Announcers on Radio and Television
  6. Book Publisher and Editors in Publishing Houses
  7. Public Affairs Managers
  8. Client Service Executives in Advertising Agencies, and Brand Managers, etc.
  9. Academics

Admission Requirement for Undergraduate Program in Mass Communication

  1. The minimum requirement for admission into Dominion University is G.C.E O/L, SSCE/NABTEB/NECO or equivalent Credit Level Pass in Five (5) Subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings in the relevant subjects. Those with additional (Direct Entry) qualification such as NCE, IJMB, JUPEB, OND, and G.C.E ‘A’ Level, etc. are to proceed from Part II.
  2. University Entrance Examination (UME)

The University Entrance Examination (UME) is conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB). In addition to attaining the required standard in UME, candidates must satisfy the general University admission requirements as well as specific Departmental/Faculty requirements.

Dominion University, Ibadan conducts oral interviews as part of the screening exercise for all candidates (Direct Entry/or UME) seeking admission into the University and applicants may not be admitted without fulfilling the requirements of the screening exercise. The University will regularize all admissions with JAMB.

Requirements for Graduation in Mass Communication

Students are to take a maximum of 24 units per semester, offer and pass at least 152 units at the end of their programme before they can graduate.

B.SC Mass Communication

 

100 Level First Semester

S/N CODE COURSE TITLE UNITS STATUS
1 MAS 101 Introduction to Mass Communication 2  C
2 MAS 105 African Communication System I 2  C
3 GST 101 Communication in English I 2  C
4 MAS 107 History of Nigerian Mass Media 2  C
5 GST 123 Logic, Philosophy and Human Existence 2  C
6 CSC 101 Introduction to Computers 3  C
7 BUS 101 Principles of Management I 2  R
8 MAS 121 Spoken English 2  C
9 CRM 105 Introduction to Sociology 2  E
10 GST 107 Introduction to Entrepreneurship 2  C
    Sub Total 21  

 

 

100 Level Second Semester

S/N  CODE COURSE TITLE UNITS STATUS
1 GST 122 Use of Library, Study Skills and ICT 2  C
2 MAS 102 Writing for the Mass Media 3  C
3 MAS 106 African Communication System II 2  C
4 GST 102 Communication in English II 2  C
5 MAS 104 Interpersonal Communication 2  C
6 MAS 110  Feature Writing 2  C
7 BUS 102 Principles of Management II 2  R
8 IRP 122 Introduction to Psychology 2  E
    Sub Total 17  

 

 

200 Level First Semester

S/N CODE COURSE TITLE UNITS STATUS
1  MAS 201  Theories of Mass communication  2  C
2  MAS 203  Advanced and Specialized Reporting  2  R
3  MAS 205  News Writing and Reporting  2  C
4  GST 221  Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution  2  C
5  GST 211  Entrepreneurship  2  C
6  BUS 203  Business Communication  2  C
7  MAS 211  Introduction to film, Cinema and Literature  2  R
8  MAS 213  Foundation of Broadcasting  2  E
    9  MAS 215  Introduction to Advertising  2  E
10 MGT 211  Element of Marketing  2  E
11 CRM 207  Sociology of Crime and Delinquency  2  E
     Total  22  

NOTE: One Elective from the Department and One Elective from the Faculty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

200 Level Second Semester

S/N  CODE COURSE TITLE UNITS STATUS
1  MAS 202  Speech Making, Critical and Review Writing  2  C
2  MAS 204  Editing and Graphics of Communication  2  C
3  MAS 206  Foundation of Communication Research  2  C
4  MAS 208  Principles of Public Relations  2  C
5  MAS 210  Health and Population Communication  2  C
6  MAS 212  Editorial Writing  2  C
7  MAS 214  Introduction to publishing Sequence  2  R
8  MAS 216  Global security, conflict and Peace Reporting  2  R
9  MAS 218  Marketing Foundation For Advertising & Public      Relations  2  E
10  MAS 220  Fundamentals of Media Relations  2  E
11  MGT 214  The Public and Private Sector  2  E
12  CRM 210  Human Rights  2  E
     Total  24  

NOTE: One Elective from the Department and One Elective from the Faculty

 

 

300 Level First Semester

S/N  CODE COURSE TITLE UNITS STATUS
1  MAS 301  Media Attachment  2  C
2  MAS 303  Mass Media and Laws of  Ethics  2  C
3  MAS 305  International Communication and the World Press  2  C
4  MAS 307  Media and the Society  2  C
5  MAS 309  Newspaper and Magazine Management & Production  2  C
6  MAS 311  Science and Technology Reporting  2  C
7  MAS 313  Public Affairs Broadcasting  2  R
8  MAS 315  Broadcasting Management & Programming  2  R
9  MAS 317  Book Publishing and the Law  2  E
10  MAS 319  Advertising Law and Ethics  2  E
11  MAS 321  Television Programme Writing & Production  2  E
12  MAS 323  Advertising Creative Strategies & Tactics  2  E
     Total  24  

NOTE: Two Electives from the Department

 

 

300 Level Second Semester

S/N CODE COURSE TITLE UNITS STATUS
1  MAS 302  Issues in Nigerian Mass Media History  2  C
2  MAS 304  Economics of News Reporting  2  C
3  MAS 306  Foreign Correspondence  2  C
4  MAS 308  Screen Directing  2  C
5  MAS 310  Research Methodology in Mass Communication  2  C
6  MAS 312  Magazine Management and Production  2  R
7  MAS 314  Photo Journalism and Picture Editing  2  R
8  MAS 316  Rural Community Newspaper  2  R
9  MAS 318  Advertising and Public Relation Research  2  E
10  MAS 320  Film Theory Aesthetics  2  E
11  MAS 322  Film Production  2  E
12  MAS 324  Community Relations  2  E
     Total  24  

NOTE: Two Electives from the Department

 

 

400 Level First Semester

S/N CODE COURSE TITLE UNITS STATUS
1  MAS 401  Data Analysis in Communication Research  2  C
2  MAS 403  Issues in Broadcasting  2  C
3  MAS 405  Educational Broadcasting  2  C
4  MAS 407  Documentary Film Production  2  C
5  MAS 409  Broadcast Station Management and Operations  2  R
6  MAS 411  Economics and Social Issue in PR & Advert  2  R
7  MAS 413  Organisation and Management of PR & Advert Agencies  2  R
8  MAS 415  Case Studies in Public Relations  2  E
9  MAS 417  Advertising Copy, Layout & Production Techniques  2  E
10  MAS 419  Mobile Cinema and Rural Development  2  E
11  MAS 421  Cinema Management  2  E
12    Total  24  
         

NOTE: Two Electives from the Department

 

 

 

400 Level Second Semester

S/N CODE COURSE TITLE UNITS STATUS
1  MAS 402  Media Attachment  2  C
2  MAS 404  Drama and Documentary Production  2  C
3  MAS 406  Rural Broadcasting  2  C
4  MAS 420  Research Project  6  C
5  MAS 408  International Public Relations  2  R
6  MAS 410  Communication and Development  2  E
7  MAS 412  Media Organisation and Management  2  E
8  MAS 414  Film Criticism  2  E
9  MAS 416  Research in Book Publishing  2  E
     Total  22  

NOTE: Two Electives from the Department

 

C = Compulsory                                                                    

R = Required

E = Elective 

Total units for the Four Years

 Year I                       38 

 Year II                     38

 Year III                   40

 Year IV                    36

  Total                      152

 

 

100 Level First Semester Courses

MAS 101 INTRODUCTION TO MASS COMMUNICATION

This course is aimed at introducing students to Mass Communication in both general and specific terms. Topics to be covered include: definitions of Mass Communication, types of communication (intra, inter personal communication; traditional and modern communication; public and international communication); types and features of mass media; and channels of Mass Communication.

 

 

 

 

 

MAS 105 AFRICAN COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS I

This course is an African oral traditional communication structure, form and content. It also a survey of past and present modern mass media systems as influenced by African Political Culture.

 

MAS 107 HISTORY OF NIGERIAN MASS MEDIA

This course traces the major trends in the development of the mass media in Nigeria; as well as their adaptation and contribution to the political, religious, economic and social development from 1959 till the present.

 

MAS 121 SPOKEN ENGLISH 2 UNITS

A single semester course, this will concentrate on classroom and language laboratory exercises on conversational English, using relevant phonological materials [e.g. tapes, record, video films, etc.] to enhance the students spoken English.

 

100 Level Second Semester Courses

MAS 102 WRITING FOR THE MASS MEDIA

This course is an instruction and practice in writing for the mass communication media with the major emphasis on development of the journalistic style and proficiency in grammar and the use of language.

 

MAS 104: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

The course explores human communication. The focus is for students to become aware of their present ways of communicating and to build on communication skills they have already established. The goal is to enable students to be more successful in communicating with others by examining the cognitive activities that shapes communication, exploring the elements and process of communication, becoming aware of national communication and practicing the skill of effective communication.

MAS 106 AFRICAN COMMUNICATION SYSTEM II

This course is a continuation of MAS 105. It aimed at emphasizing that Africans have their own unique communication system and techniques. Issues to be treated here: communication in the traditional setting: Tradomedia; Oramedia; difference between the traditional African communication patterns; strength and limitations of the African communication system

 

MAS 108: INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL   COMMUNICATION                     

The course is an introduction to the basic concept of artistic design in communication. Students will be introduced to the principles and elements of artistic design in communication, Meaning, characteristics and classification of type, type selection, and typeface and type composition.

 

MAS 110: Features Writing                     -2 units

The course focuses on the nature of features writing in newspaper and magazine houses. The students will be familiarize with the elements of features writing, the contents of features stories, the structure of features articles and the difference between features writing, news writing and editorial writing. Other areas of focus will include: special features and profiles, interview features and profiles, features sidebar and features series, opinion columns, personal columns, service columns, travel guide, art reviews, special correspondents, language of features, how to write the features story, how to write the features intro, features sub-editor and writing task. 

 

200 Level First Semester Courses

MAS 201: Theories of Mass Communication   -2 units

The course deals with the meaning and characteristics of theory as well as specific types of theories, differences between human communication theory and mass communication theory, the communication process and communication models. The students will be introduced to four normative theories and two emergent normative theories and the social-scientific/media effect theories.

MAS 203: Advanced Specialized Reporting-2 units

The course involves the techniques in advanced instruction and practice in writing news stories with emphasis on investigative reporting and other comprehensive reporting techniques. The students will be made to identify government policies on SAP, MAMSER, 6-3-3-4 system of education etc; they will learn sources of news on government policies; analysis of the special problems and intricacies of reporting government policies; explain how to handle leaks and deal with Official Secret Act; write news on government policies; identify various social problems such as drug trafficking, child abuse, prostitution etc; state the dominant principles and techniques in reporting social problems like fairness, objectivity, balance etc; write in-depth news on social ills; discuss art news by identifying various popular arts; write stories about arts for newspapers and magazines; identify various specialized news situations like parliamentary, court/tribunals, labour, sports, health, education etc; write news on the aforementioned specialized areas; explain the principle and rationale for human interest stories; distinguish between human interest stories and other kinds of news; write human interest stories; define news analysis, news features and interpretation; prepare stories demonstrating knowledge of news analysis and news interpretation; define impressionistic reporting; explain the techniques involved in impressionistic reporting; identify the pitfalls in impressionistic reporting and write impressionistic news stories.   

MAS 205: News Writing and Reporting -2 units

The course will introduce the students to the activities and attributes of reporters. Attention will be given to structural elements of news room, definition of news, determinants of news, types and characteristics of news story and principles and techniques of news gathering and dissemination in both the print and electronic media as well as principles backing issuance of press release, theories of the press, regulation of mass media, universal press laws, contempt of court and parliament, ethical issues and press terminologies.

MAS 211: Intro to Film, Cinema and Literature   -2 units

The course deals with the evolutionary developments of film, cinema and literary productions. Focus will be on the history of pioneers of documentary films, film video editing, design, pre-production planning, production process and post-production. The students will also examine film as a medium of communication and the cinema as a communication setting with particular reference to literature and its various forms: the short story, novel, poem and drama. They will have an overview of the kinds of film: documentary (nonfiction) and avant-garde-the role of the cinema in urban and rural communities. 

MAS 213: Foundation of Broadcasting       -2 units   

The students will have an overview of the physical, technical and societal bases of radio and television broadcasting. They are to relate the laws of nature that make broadcasting possible as well as the scientists who exploited them and describe the individual items or equipments used in radio and television and survey the diverse environment of broadcasting stations and networks.

MAS 215: Introduction to Advertising   -2 units                           

The course deals with the definitions of advertising; types and functions of advertising; history and development of advertising in Nigeria; structure of advertising industry: agency clients and media; development of advertising agencies; functions of the advertising manager; the advertising brief: writing and assessing advertising proposals; advertising process: how ads work; role of advertising in marketing; career development in advertising and advertising training and education

200 Level Second Semester Courses

MAS 202: Speech Making, Critical and Reviewing Writing                 -2 units                                    

The course introduces students to the historical context of speech communication, basic principles of speech communication, types of speech and steps towards quality speech making and writing- oratory, logic, language and styles in speech making and writing. The students will also be made to do critical and reviewing of selected speeches of great leaders in the world.

MAS 204:  Editing and Graphics of Communication -2 units

The course will introduce the students to the concepts of graphic design, the principles and elements of designs in communication, principles of composition in design, page planning, typography, make-up techniques, editing process and editing symbols as well as picture treatment: captioning and cropping of photographs.

MAS 206: Foundation of Communication Research   -2 units

The course introduces the students to data gathering methods in journalism and mass communication and enables them to analyse research data and critically evaluate any piece of journalistic writing or social science research. Another objective is to help the students to apply the learnt methods in carrying out research projects.

MAS 208: Principles of Public Relations -2 units

The course deals with definition, concepts, theories and practice of Public Relations and Public Affairs and the importance of PR in either profit or non-profit organizations. It deals with relationship and differences between PR and advertising. Other areas of focus are: managing Customer Relations; Working with the media; understanding public opinion and crisis communication.

MAS 210: Health and Population Communication      -2 units

The course examines the role of communication within the context of human health, birth rate, death rate and human sexual relations, as well as the factors responsible for constant increase in human population, the rural-urban drift and its implications on human social relation and politico-economic development. Students will be acquitted with health communication strategies, such as: posters, bill-boards, drama sketch, radio programmes, mass mobilization programme etc that can be adopted as preventive mechanisms for the control of communicable diseases and deadly diseases such as AIDS, hypertension, diabetes and cancer, among others.   Focus will be on the appropriate communication tools such as: transit media- that can be used to disseminate information to urban and rural dwellers on the causes of infant and maternal mortality rate, as well as birth and population control and the role of Non-Governmental Organization in the development of community health. The issue of census will be discussed with focus on its importance, functions and economic importance.

MAS 212: Editorial Writing                     -2 units

The students will do intensive work in the theory and practice of writing editorials and column based opinions. First, they will learn to define editorial and the four main parts of an editorial: title, introduction, body and conclusion; compare the structure of an editorial with those of the other types of journalistic writing: straight news and features; define persuasion; outline theories of persuasion that are relevant to journalism; analyse the roles of persuasion in editorial (print) and commentaries (electronic); state the strengths and limitations of persuasions in commentaries and editorials; distinguish between persuasive editorials and commentaries such as expository, narrative, argumentative and commendation; discuss trends in editorial writing in Nigeria; discuss the relevance of propaganda in editorial writing and relevant propaganda techniques; outline functions of editorials; explain how the functions interrelate; distinguish between an editorial, opinion and column writing; determine the audience of editorials; explain the impact of editorials on the readers; describe the various approaches to editorial writing like expressive, objective, subjective etc; students are to write an editorial using the various approaches; define editorial board; explain the functions of editorial board; analyse the advantages and disadvantages of an editorial board; define column; analyse the main types of column: syndicated, in-house and guest; distinguish between editorials and columns; state the roles of column in print journalism; evaluate some editorials and columns published in the Nigerian press; students are to write a column on any issue of interest: religion, sports, politics, women, children, science, education etc.

MAS 214: Introduction to Publishing Sequence -2 units

The course examines book publishing as a cultural activity and as a business: the business environment of book publishing focusing on environment analysis using the SWOT analysis method in business organizations. The focus will be on book publication as a mass industry: divisions of the industry and a critical look at the publishing process, industry activities and associations.

MAS 216: Global Security, Conflict and Peace Reporting -2 units

This course focuses on the concept of news reporting for global security, conflict management and peacemaking within the context of African, Asian and Western cultures. The concept of the word: Reporting should be given in order to put the term in the right operational perspective.  The students’ attention will be drawn to the structural elements of news-stories, definition of news and nature of news: news judgement, news values and determinants of news; types and rudiments/characteristics of news story as well as principles and techniques of news gathering. Elements and formats for writing security, conflict and peace news in both the print and electronic media will be discussed. The message patterns for this type of news analyses will follow the standard parameter used in the traditional news coverage and the media content for this type of news story will showcase the existing topics on security, conflict and peacemaking around the world. Among such topics are: Concept of human security, conflict and internally displaced persons, peace enforcement,  meaning of disarmament, public safety system, security and violence, refugees, crisis management, crisis bargaining, war and its resolution, peace-making and peace-sharing, disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration, decision making in crisis situation, and mechanisms of conflict prevention, management and resolution. Emphasis will be on the electoral, political and religious impasse that had ravaged Nigerian society since independence in 1960. Other issues to consider include: theories of the press, regulation of mass media, universal press laws, contempt of court and parliament and ethical issues of the press that are relevant to conflict situations within the global context.

MAS 218: Marketing Foundation for Advertising & Public Relations              -2 units          

This is a study of advertising and PR as communication tools that can be used to market or promote a product, person, an organization or idea. The art and science of marketing will be reviewed as the bases for determining the needs and types of communication solutions that can effectively deal with marketing problems in different situations. 

MAS 220:   Fundamentals of Media Relations -2 units

This course deals with analysis of ways and means of establishing and maintaining rapport and credibility with the media gatekeepers.

300 Level First Semester Courses

MAS 301: Media Attachment -2 units

The students are to do the media attachment in order to understudy the operations of the media organizations and they are to submit a comprehensive account of their experience during this industrial training programme.

 

 

MAS 303: Mass Media and Laws of Ethics-2 units

The course focuses on the study of the legal framework within the context in which mass media operate. Special focus will be on law of defamation: libel and slander, differences between libel and slander, elements of libel, types of libel; list and explain defenses in libel; law of sedition in Nigeria; define sedition and explain criminal libel; contempt of court/contempt of parliament; types of contempt; sanctions that can be imposed by court or parliament for contempt; law of copyright; law of protected/prohibited space; list some prohibited spaces; official secrets act; invasion of privacy-snooping; disclosure of sources; confidential information; freedom of information bill; restrictions on reportage of divorce and ancillary proceedings and children, indecent details proceedings and taking of photographs in court; obscenity law and legal pitfalls. The students will learn about issues bordering on ethics and morality; ethical theories and factors responsible for the moral development of individuals; ethical problems in journalism profession; ethical issues involving journalists and members of the society and ethical mechanisms that are available to profession journalists. 

MAS 305: International Communication and the World Press -2 units

The course examines the world press system; the flow of information, the agency news and different news agencies in the world: their nature and functions, issues and ideologies surrounding the establishment of the agencies, and how culture and economy shaped communication across borders. The students are to learn various definitions of international communication; distinguish between international communication and various types of communication like intercultural communication; discuss the important models of international communication; trace the history of international communication from the developing world’s perspective; describe how this history affects modern international communication; explain global news and the developing countries’ concept of news flow as well as the soviet concept of news flow; discuss the western concept of news flow and analyse the problems caused by these differences in international news perspective; state the functions of cables, radio, television, satellites, facsimiles, newspapers, magazines, laser computers etc as vehicles of international communication; evaluate how the media, in those mentioned above, have served as a means of communication among nations; explain the concept of free and balanced flow of information; analyse the concept of the global village by McLuhan; explain the communist political perspective of media and cultural imperialism on global communication; discuss the developing countries’ position on global communication with particular reference to development communication; state how the global news agencies emerged e.g. Reuters, TASS, AFP, AP, UPI, Kyodo etc; analyse the trends in modern news agency operations and the problems of international news agencies; state how the problems can be solved; analyse the developing countries news agencies e.g. NAN, and their roles and discuss the history, ownership, function, problems and prospects of the News Agency of Nigeria; list and discuss the major international communication organizations such as IBU, ITU etc; and discuss their history and problems; trace the history of information and communication order debate and explain the developing countries’ position on the debate; state the western perspective of NWICO debate and the eastern perspective on the debate; explain the concept of cultural imperialism/cultural invasion in international communication; analyse the problem of ideological differences in international communication; evaluate the problems of new communication technologies and analyse the problems of trans-border data flow.     

MAS 307: Media and Society -2 units

The course introduces students to communication process; traditional and modern means of communication; the mass media: classification and characteristics; functions of mass media and theories of the mass media. There will be an overview of the mass media in Nigerian society and focus will be on media ownership and control; press freedom in Nigeria; press council and Nigerian social structure. Other factors to examine include: culture and the mass media; social change and mass media; cultural imperialism and media dependency; globalization and the media; technology and the media; social institutions and the mass media; social effects of the mass media; mass media and economy; media and governance; media ethics in Nigeria and mass media and development

MAS 309: Newspaper and Magazine Management and Production   -2 units

The course deals with the basic management and economic theory and application of theory to the management process in the newspaper business and the application of theories of economics and management to the management of general and specialized magazines. Students will process editorial materials and produce the MASSCOPE

 

MAS 311: Science and Technology Reporting -2 units

The course deals with the reportage of science and technology that are related to mass media, how they were introduced, their impact on the socio-economic development of the world, the role they played in making the world a global village and their impact on mass communication process. 

MAS 313: Public Affairs Broadcasting      -2 units

The course deals with critical examination of the structure, internal dynamics and functions of the news and current/public affairs division of broadcasting organizations. The students will treat the aspect of interpretative reporting of government and public institutions and agencies and production of current/public affairs discussions, news magazines and documentaries. The students will be assigned to carry out a documentary project on the socio-economic life of their immediate environment. 

MAS 315:        Broadcasting Management And Programming    -2 units

Analysis of the nature and process of management and organization, generally, with particular reference to types of broadcasting organization and their settings.  Consideration of the primary operations of radio and television stations and networks, particularly, programming and personnel and the skills required to manage them in the interest of society.

MAS 317: Book Publishing and the Law-2 units

This course is an in-depth study of those aspects of the law basic to book publishing with emphasis on libel, copyright, national security, privacy etc. Attention will be given to the attendant ethical considerations.

MAS 319:  Advertising Law and Ethics -2 units

The study focuses on structure of advertising regulation and control: legal and voluntary mechanisms; basic law and ethics; elements of business law; law of contract; liability in tort; pertinent torts in advertising: defamation, copyright, passing off, negligence, invasion of privacy, obscenity, and decency etc; code of ethical conduct; guidelines on advertising of tobacco products, alcohol, beverages, food, drugs, cosmetics, financial institutions, political advertising etc; role of government agencies; regulatory bodies: origin, structure and functions; role of professional associations: AAAN, BON, MPAN, OAAN, ADVAN etc; ethical problems: direct media buying, media broke age etc  

MAS 321: Television Programme Writing & Production -2 units

The course deals with comprehensive analysis of the writing process as it pertains to television. It involves analysis and evaluation of television scripts, and production of talks, interviews, discussions and magazine programmes. Intense writing exercise will be done.

 

MAS 323: Advertising Creative Strategies & Tactics -2 units

The course deals with the following marketing concepts as well as  advertising strategies and tactics that can be used in selling products to consumers in contemporary society: (1) the concept of advertising strategies and tactics (2) marketing objectives and strategies (3) Assessment of Business Environment using SWOT and PESTE analysis (4) Competitive advantages (5) Forecasting-HR Planning (6) Visual concepts for Mass Media (7) Classification of Advertising Media (8) Marketing Exchange/Process (9) Market Segmentation-Determinants of Advertising Strategy (10) Key to Advertising Strategy (11) Design Elements and Principles (12) Styling in Corporate Design for Automobiles (13) Typography (14) Product life Cycle (15) Strategic Options in Marketing Mix (16) The Four Ps as the Basic Elements of the Marketing Mix and Media Tactics (17) Selecting and Scheduling Media Vehicles (19) Copy Writing and Basic Copy Structure (20) Advertising Layout formulae  

300 Level Second Semester Courses

MAS 302: Issues in Nigerian Mass Media History    -2 units

The course will focus on dynamics of mass media from 1859 when the first newspaper was published and Political, legal and ethical issues that occurred in the history of the press till date. Focus will also be on historical antecedents, dynamism of media practitioners, how newspaper, radio and television came into existence and their developments, role of political cartoons in the development of Nigerian press, freedom of the press, access to information, censorship, closure of media, disclosure of sources of information and ban on importation of materials for production.

 MAS 304: Economics of News Reporting -2 units

Much of what passes for economics of news reporting in the Nigerian news media is written by economists for economists. The course aims at preparing the students to write up and analyse issues relating to the economy for a mass audience. A basic course in economics is desirable, but not essential. Students offering this course should have successfully completed advanced reporting course.

MAS 306: Foreign Correspondence        -2 units

The course emphasizes the need for the development of an elite press corps to survey the international scene for the country.  It teaches the students, discusses the politics and economics of foreign correspondence and teaches skills that will enable the reporter to function effectively as a foreign correspondent.

 MAS 308: Screen Directing -2 units

The course deals with film production and theories of directing dramatic forms and acting. The latter-theories of directing dramatic forms and acting will be examined through lectures, demonstrations and applied exercise to establish theoretical and practical foundations.

MAS 312: Investigative and Interpretative Reporting   -2 units

The course is designed to teach the students the basic methods of investigating and interpreting news events. Investigative reporting will be defined; the purpose of investigative reporting will be stressed; investigative prone issues like government policies, tax evasion, disaster, epidemic etc will be examined; the process of investigative reporting like research, interview and independent probe  will be treated; strategies of investigative reporting will be outlined, evaluated and discussed; ethical and legal implications of investigative reporting will be treated and students will be assigned to carry out investigative reporting within their locality. Interpretative reporting will be defined; the purpose of interpretative reporting will be stated; interpretative issues will be examined; the process of interpretative reporting will be described; the approaches to interpretative reporting will be outlined, evaluated and discussed; ethical and legal implications of interpretative reporting will be explained and students will do myriads of assignments by using interpretative reporting techniques.

MAS 314: Photo Journalism and Picture Editing -2 units

The course deals with practical introduction to news photography; basic camera and darkroom techniques. It deals with photojournalists’ sensitivity to peoples’ circumstances and events to which he/she is expected to take pictures that communicate. The students will learn fundamentals of photography, operation of different cameras, photographic processes and the use of standard photographic equipments and materials in the photo laboratory. The course equally deals with photo reporting. Emphasis will be on pictures that communicate with aesthetic as well as technical skills. Students are to be taught the techniques of photogram and photo essay. There will be a study of technical and aesthetic qualities of photographs and how these factors affect editorial decisions concerning the use of pictures in publication. Practical work in layout and design and other duties of a newspaper and magazine picture editor will be treated.  

MAS 316: Rural Community Newspaper-2 units

The course will focus on prospects and challenges facing rural newspapers with attention to the role and qualities of newspaper production. The students will be taught how to analyse national systems of print journalism worldwide and how they have affected local press; how to identify grassroots information seekers, information carrier, information indifferent and rumour carrier; major divisions of community newspapers; functions of the editor and other staff of community newspaper; identify the revenue sources for the community newspaper; departmentalization of community newspaper; describe the front and back pages of a community newspaper; explain the localization of news in community newspaper; describe the letter press, offset, gravure, stenciling, and other printing methods; explain lithography and plate making process; process a community newspaper for production; explain the process of circulation and marketing of community newspaper.

MAS 318: Advertising and PR Research -2 units

This course applies quantitative and qualitative research methodologies within the context of advertising and public relations. Emphasis will be on budget, copy and media research.

MAS 320: Film Theory and Aesthetics -2 units

The course introduces students to film, cinema and literature and film production. It explores film as extension of photography. There will be systematic consideration of the basic aesthetic principles, photographic approach, affinities and art. There will be analysis of the properties of the film medium with regard to the realistic tendency and formative tendency, or realism as exemplified by the Lumiers brothers and expressionism as exemplified by Melie and the clashes/compromises between both. The issues of film/cinema as an art will be treated.

MAS 322:    Film Production     -2 units

The course deals with the elements of film production. The techniques of cinematography, production phases and activities and film structuring will be analyzed. There will be an intensive instruction in the production of short films and analysis of popular productions.

MAS 324:   Community Relations           -2 units                                 

The course examines today’s community relations and how effective community relations can be an essential element in the overall public relations programme. There will be focus on untraditional approaches and on case histories to demonstrate how to cope with crisis situations.

400 Level First Semester Courses

MAS 401: Data Analysis in Communication Research     -2 units                                                     

The Students will be exposed to data analysis tools such: content and quantitative analyses; the latter involves the use of questionnaires, tables, graphs, frequency distribution, charts for presentation, measure of central tendency, mean, median, mode, comparison of measures, measure of dispersion: range, standard deviation, variance, skewness as well as test of hypothesis. The students will also be exposed to inferential statistics: statistical testing, correlation and regression, probability theory and uses of computer in quantitative analysis.  

MAS 403: Issues in Broadcasting -2 units

The course will be based on survey of critical perennial issues and contemporary matters that can generate debate and controversies in broadcasting such as sex, violence, political and economic control. 

MAS 405: Educational Broadcasting -2 units

The course will do a critical assessment of educational potentials and limitations of radio and television stations. It will evaluate the pedagogic approaches and production of education programmes.

 

MAS 407:  Documentary Film Production -2 units

The course deals with the evolutionary developments of film production. Focus will be on the history of pioneers of documentary films, film video editing, design, pre-production planning, production process and post-production. 

MAS 409: Broadcasting Station Management and Operations    -2 units

The course will focus on the analysis of the nature and process of management and organization as well as the skills required for managing a broadcasting station.

MAS 411: Economic and Social Issues in PR/Advert   -2 units

This course focuses on the study of advertising and public relations as institutions; the laws and ethics governing the profession in Nigeria as compared to developed countries like United States of America and Britain; self-regulation by practitioners and professional associations; consideration of social responsibility, truth and deception and consumerism, among others.

MAS 413: Organization and Management of PR/Advert Agencies             -2 units                                                       

The course deals with how to set up and effectively run advertising and public relations agencies. The students will acquire consulting and entrepreneurial skills in the areas of advertising and public relations.                                          

MAS 415:  Case Studies in Public Relations -2 units

This course is designed to sharpen the ability of the students in assessing public relations problems and offering solutions. The students will be trained to identify public relations policies and practices in various organizations; to identify the sources of public relations problems in various organizations; to analyse possible effects of the problems in the various organizations discussed. The course will go further to acquit the students with myriads of case studies in public relations organizations; to analyse case studies; to identify specific problems in public relations case studies; to prepare solutions for the case studies. The students will present case studies emanating from Nigeria e.g. NEPA, NTA, Nigeria Airways, the Police etc; they will list areas for public relations case studies and analyse public relations cases drawn from their locality. The students will identify areas for public relations case studies; they will draw up a public relations programme to solve the problems emanating from the case studies; the lecturer will supervise the execution of the PR programme that is drawn by the students and evaluate the success of the execution. The students will finally write group and individual reports; present group and individual reports and evaluate the group and individual reports

MAS 417:   Advertising Copy, Layout and Production Techniques   -2 units

The course focuses on the nature of advertising writing; copyright principles; copy strategy; copy format and layout; writing copy for newspapers, magazines, outdoor, radio and television and web advertising; design principles; stages of advertising layout; designing for various media; introduction to various digital layout programmes; photography and lithography; printing methods/processes; production techniques for print media; production techniques for radio and television and role of computer in modern advertising production

MAS 419: Mobile Cinema and Rural Development             -2 units                                                                   

The course deals with communication for development film production. The strengths and weaknesses of mobile cinema as a medium of mass mobilization will be examined. The history of the mobile cinema in Nigeria will be traced through colonial films, indigenous films and the politics of Nigeria. There will be planning of special health, agricultural and literacy campaigns and production of films for their execution.

MAS 421: Cinema Management             -2 units                                                  

The course deals with the history of motion picture. There will be an overview of management and organization theory with particular attention to the motion picture industry. The establishment and operation of film making companies and cinema houses will be discussed. Problems and hindrances in running film production companies, institutions and cinema will be looked into. 

400 Level Second Semester Courses

MAS 402: Media Attachment -2 units

The students are to do the media attachment in order to understudy the operations of the media organizations and they are to submit a comprehensive account of their experience during this industrial training programme.

MAS 404: Drama and Documentary Production -2 units

The course deals with overview of special problems involved in producing drama and documentary for radio and television; blocking; casting; budgeting; performance. The focus will only be on drama or documentary for both radio and television or both drama and documentary for only radio and television.

MAS 406: Rural Broadcasting -2 units

The course analyses the community needs and problems with regards to the role and qualities of radio and television. It deals with planning of community development projects for implementation through special radio programmes; programme production and evaluation research.

MAS 408: International Public Relations -2 units

The course focuses on the analysis of trends, issues and problems confronting public relations in multinational corporations and other organizations involved in international trade and business.

MAS 410: Communication and National Development -2 units                                                 

This course is designed to enable the students have an insight into the role of communication in the national development process. The students will learn how to define the term: national development; learn to distinguish between a more developed and less developed nation and to explain the major characteristics of a less developed nation. The students will equally learn the definition of the concept: development communication; distinguish between development communication and other forms of communication e.g. interpersonal, intrapersonal, group, international and intercultural. They will trace the historical foundation of development communication and analyse the rationale behind development communication. The students will treat the basic functions of development communication and list the functions such as: loudspeaker, reformer, organizer, equalizer, enricher, accelerator, legitimizer, researcher, mobilizer, informant and educator; they will equally appraise all the functions listed above. The lecturer will teach the students the theories of development communication; explain the instructional design strategies and the principles of selectivity that embraces acceptance, perception, rejection, avoidance, retention etc; explain the participatory theory and analyse social marking strategy. The students will learn how to determine when and how to use interviews, talk shows, drama, short stories, poetry, posters and magazine programmes in development communication and they will practice the technique to show understanding of the subject. The lecturer will discuss the major obstacles to development communication such as poverty, transportation, conceptualization, training, funding, ignorance, illiteracy etc. The students will carry out projects on any of the following topics: (1) communication and primary health care (2) communication and rural development (3) communication and education (4) communication and agricultural development (5) communication and family planning (6) communication and rural/urban migration and (7) communication and urban congestion.    

MAS 412: Media Organization and Management -2 units

This course is designed to familiarize the students with the philosophies, principles and techniques of organization and management of mass media industries. The students will be made to describe the structural organization for a typical magazine or newspaper organization; explain how to organize or structure typical radio, television and film houses; explain how to organize book publishing, public relations and advertising agencies; prepare an organogram for any of these media organizations; identify the various philosophies and theories and differentiate between the theories and philosophies; explain how to manage personnel in media organizations e.g. editorial, technical and administrative; identify the different departments in newspaper and magazine establishments and state how the various departments relate to each other and explain the organizational structure of each department; explain interpersonal communication in print media management; define group dynamics in print media management; explain communication lines in print media management and assess group influence in print media organizations; explain various newspaper and magazine policies; state the principles of management relevant to newspaper and magazine production and outline the strategy of funding; state the functions of the advertising department; state the functions of the circulation department; identify other sources of revenue for the print media; explain the cost reduction techniques in newspaper and magazine production; explain the relationship between media houses and commercial establishments; identify the departments in a radio station; identify the different departments in a television station; state how the various departments relate to each other and explain the organizational structure of each department. Explain interpersonal communication in broadcast media management; define group dynamics in broadcast media management; explain communication lines in broadcast media management and assess group influence in broadcast media management; explain various broadcast media policies; state the principles of programming in management and analyse the strategy of timing in programmes; state the functions of the commercial department; explain the relationship between media houses and commercial establishments; identify other sources of revenue for the stations and explain cost reduction methods in production.                                                                                                                        

MAS 414: Film Criticism -2 units                                              

The focus is on film theory and aesthetics. There will be critical analysis and evaluation of popular and feature films based on major cinematographic principles and criteria such as plot, characterization, special effects and thematic appeal.

MAS 416: Research in Book Publishing -2 units                     

The course focuses on types and methods of research in book publishing including media research, product research, market research, opinion research and campaign testing.

 MAS 420: Research Project -6 units

The students are to initiate and execute a project of interest in the field of mass communication; they must follow the steps in the research methods they have learnt during the period of their academic studies in the University. 

 

REQUIREMENTS

Admission Requirement for Undergraduate Program in Mass Communication

  1. The minimum requirement for admission into Dominion University is G.C.E O/L, SSCE/NABTEB/NECO or equivalent Credit Level Pass in Five (5) Subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings in the relevant subjects. Those with additional (Direct Entry) qualification such as NCE, IJMB, JUPEB, OND, and G.C.E ‘A’ Level, etc. are to proceed from Part II.
  2. University Entrance Examination (UME)

The University Entrance Examination (UME) is conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB). In addition to attaining the required standard in UME, candidates must satisfy the general University admission requirements as well as specific Departmental/Faculty requirements.

Dominion University, Ibadan conducts oral interviews as part of the screening exercise for all candidates (Direct Entry/or UME) seeking admission into the University and applicants may not be admitted without fulfilling the requirements of the screening exercise. The University will regularize all admissions with JAMB.

Requirements for Graduation in Mass Communication

Students are to take a maximum of 24 units per semester, offer and pass at least 152 units at the end of their programme before they can graduate.

COURSE STRUCTURE

B.SC Mass Communication

 

100 Level First Semester

S/N CODE COURSE TITLE UNITS STATUS
1 MAS 101 Introduction to Mass Communication 2  C
2 MAS 105 African Communication System I 2  C
3 GST 101 Communication in English I 2  C
4 MAS 107 History of Nigerian Mass Media 2  C
5 GST 123 Logic, Philosophy and Human Existence 2  C
6 CSC 101 Introduction to Computers 3  C
7 BUS 101 Principles of Management I 2  R
8 MAS 121 Spoken English 2  C
9 CRM 105 Introduction to Sociology 2  E
10 GST 107 Introduction to Entrepreneurship 2  C
    Sub Total 21  

 

 

100 Level Second Semester

S/N  CODE COURSE TITLE UNITS STATUS
1 GST 122 Use of Library, Study Skills and ICT 2  C
2 MAS 102 Writing for the Mass Media 3  C
3 MAS 106 African Communication System II 2  C
4 GST 102 Communication in English II 2  C
5 MAS 104 Interpersonal Communication 2  C
6 MAS 110  Feature Writing 2  C
7 BUS 102 Principles of Management II 2  R
8 IRP 122 Introduction to Psychology 2  E
    Sub Total 17  

 

 

200 Level First Semester

S/N CODE COURSE TITLE UNITS STATUS
1  MAS 201  Theories of Mass communication  2  C
2  MAS 203  Advanced and Specialized Reporting  2  R
3  MAS 205  News Writing and Reporting  2  C
4  GST 221  Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution  2  C
5  GST 211  Entrepreneurship  2  C
6  BUS 203  Business Communication  2  C
7  MAS 211  Introduction to film, Cinema and Literature  2  R
8  MAS 213  Foundation of Broadcasting  2  E
    9  MAS 215  Introduction to Advertising  2  E
10 MGT 211  Element of Marketing  2  E
11 CRM 207  Sociology of Crime and Delinquency  2  E
     Total  22  

NOTE: One Elective from the Department and One Elective from the Faculty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

200 Level Second Semester

S/N  CODE COURSE TITLE UNITS STATUS
1  MAS 202  Speech Making, Critical and Review Writing  2  C
2  MAS 204  Editing and Graphics of Communication  2  C
3  MAS 206  Foundation of Communication Research  2  C
4  MAS 208  Principles of Public Relations  2  C
5  MAS 210  Health and Population Communication  2  C
6  MAS 212  Editorial Writing  2  C
7  MAS 214  Introduction to publishing Sequence  2  R
8  MAS 216  Global security, conflict and Peace Reporting  2  R
9  MAS 218  Marketing Foundation For Advertising & Public      Relations  2  E
10  MAS 220  Fundamentals of Media Relations  2  E
11  MGT 214  The Public and Private Sector  2  E
12  CRM 210  Human Rights  2  E
     Total  24  

NOTE: One Elective from the Department and One Elective from the Faculty

 

 

300 Level First Semester

S/N  CODE COURSE TITLE UNITS STATUS
1  MAS 301  Media Attachment  2  C
2  MAS 303  Mass Media and Laws of  Ethics  2  C
3  MAS 305  International Communication and the World Press  2  C
4  MAS 307  Media and the Society  2  C
5  MAS 309  Newspaper and Magazine Management & Production  2  C
6  MAS 311  Science and Technology Reporting  2  C
7  MAS 313  Public Affairs Broadcasting  2  R
8  MAS 315  Broadcasting Management & Programming  2  R
9  MAS 317  Book Publishing and the Law  2  E
10  MAS 319  Advertising Law and Ethics  2  E
11  MAS 321  Television Programme Writing & Production  2  E
12  MAS 323  Advertising Creative Strategies & Tactics  2  E
     Total  24  

NOTE: Two Electives from the Department

 

 

300 Level Second Semester

S/N CODE COURSE TITLE UNITS STATUS
1  MAS 302  Issues in Nigerian Mass Media History  2  C
2  MAS 304  Economics of News Reporting  2  C
3  MAS 306  Foreign Correspondence  2  C
4  MAS 308  Screen Directing  2  C
5  MAS 310  Research Methodology in Mass Communication  2  C
6  MAS 312  Magazine Management and Production  2  R
7  MAS 314  Photo Journalism and Picture Editing  2  R
8  MAS 316  Rural Community Newspaper  2  R
9  MAS 318  Advertising and Public Relation Research  2  E
10  MAS 320  Film Theory Aesthetics  2  E
11  MAS 322  Film Production  2  E
12  MAS 324  Community Relations  2  E
     Total  24  

NOTE: Two Electives from the Department

 

 

400 Level First Semester

S/N CODE COURSE TITLE UNITS STATUS
1  MAS 401  Data Analysis in Communication Research  2  C
2  MAS 403  Issues in Broadcasting  2  C
3  MAS 405  Educational Broadcasting  2  C
4  MAS 407  Documentary Film Production  2  C
5  MAS 409  Broadcast Station Management and Operations  2  R
6  MAS 411  Economics and Social Issue in PR & Advert  2  R
7  MAS 413  Organisation and Management of PR & Advert Agencies  2  R
8  MAS 415  Case Studies in Public Relations  2  E
9  MAS 417  Advertising Copy, Layout & Production Techniques  2  E
10  MAS 419  Mobile Cinema and Rural Development  2  E
11  MAS 421  Cinema Management  2  E
12    Total  24  
         

NOTE: Two Electives from the Department

 

 

 

400 Level Second Semester

S/N CODE COURSE TITLE UNITS STATUS
1  MAS 402  Media Attachment  2  C
2  MAS 404  Drama and Documentary Production  2  C
3  MAS 406  Rural Broadcasting  2  C
4  MAS 420  Research Project  6  C
5  MAS 408  International Public Relations  2  R
6  MAS 410  Communication and Development  2  E
7  MAS 412  Media Organisation and Management  2  E
8  MAS 414  Film Criticism  2  E
9  MAS 416  Research in Book Publishing  2  E
     Total  22  

NOTE: Two Electives from the Department

 

C = Compulsory                                                                    

R = Required

E = Elective 

Total units for the Four Years

 Year I                       38 

 Year II                     38

 Year III                   40

 Year IV                    36

  Total                      152

 

 

100 Level First Semester Courses

MAS 101 INTRODUCTION TO MASS COMMUNICATION

This course is aimed at introducing students to Mass Communication in both general and specific terms. Topics to be covered include: definitions of Mass Communication, types of communication (intra, inter personal communication; traditional and modern communication; public and international communication); types and features of mass media; and channels of Mass Communication.

 

 

 

 

 

MAS 105 AFRICAN COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS I

This course is an African oral traditional communication structure, form and content. It also a survey of past and present modern mass media systems as influenced by African Political Culture.

 

MAS 107 HISTORY OF NIGERIAN MASS MEDIA

This course traces the major trends in the development of the mass media in Nigeria; as well as their adaptation and contribution to the political, religious, economic and social development from 1959 till the present.

 

MAS 121 SPOKEN ENGLISH 2 UNITS

A single semester course, this will concentrate on classroom and language laboratory exercises on conversational English, using relevant phonological materials [e.g. tapes, record, video films, etc.] to enhance the students spoken English.

 

100 Level Second Semester Courses

MAS 102 WRITING FOR THE MASS MEDIA

This course is an instruction and practice in writing for the mass communication media with the major emphasis on development of the journalistic style and proficiency in grammar and the use of language.

 

MAS 104: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

The course explores human communication. The focus is for students to become aware of their present ways of communicating and to build on communication skills they have already established. The goal is to enable students to be more successful in communicating with others by examining the cognitive activities that shapes communication, exploring the elements and process of communication, becoming aware of national communication and practicing the skill of effective communication.

MAS 106 AFRICAN COMMUNICATION SYSTEM II

This course is a continuation of MAS 105. It aimed at emphasizing that Africans have their own unique communication system and techniques. Issues to be treated here: communication in the traditional setting: Tradomedia; Oramedia; difference between the traditional African communication patterns; strength and limitations of the African communication system

 

MAS 108: INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL   COMMUNICATION                     

The course is an introduction to the basic concept of artistic design in communication. Students will be introduced to the principles and elements of artistic design in communication, Meaning, characteristics and classification of type, type selection, and typeface and type composition.

 

MAS 110: Features Writing                     -2 units

The course focuses on the nature of features writing in newspaper and magazine houses. The students will be familiarize with the elements of features writing, the contents of features stories, the structure of features articles and the difference between features writing, news writing and editorial writing. Other areas of focus will include: special features and profiles, interview features and profiles, features sidebar and features series, opinion columns, personal columns, service columns, travel guide, art reviews, special correspondents, language of features, how to write the features story, how to write the features intro, features sub-editor and writing task. 

 

200 Level First Semester Courses

MAS 201: Theories of Mass Communication   -2 units

The course deals with the meaning and characteristics of theory as well as specific types of theories, differences between human communication theory and mass communication theory, the communication process and communication models. The students will be introduced to four normative theories and two emergent normative theories and the social-scientific/media effect theories.

MAS 203: Advanced Specialized Reporting-2 units

The course involves the techniques in advanced instruction and practice in writing news stories with emphasis on investigative reporting and other comprehensive reporting techniques. The students will be made to identify government policies on SAP, MAMSER, 6-3-3-4 system of education etc; they will learn sources of news on government policies; analysis of the special problems and intricacies of reporting government policies; explain how to handle leaks and deal with Official Secret Act; write news on government policies; identify various social problems such as drug trafficking, child abuse, prostitution etc; state the dominant principles and techniques in reporting social problems like fairness, objectivity, balance etc; write in-depth news on social ills; discuss art news by identifying various popular arts; write stories about arts for newspapers and magazines; identify various specialized news situations like parliamentary, court/tribunals, labour, sports, health, education etc; write news on the aforementioned specialized areas; explain the principle and rationale for human interest stories; distinguish between human interest stories and other kinds of news; write human interest stories; define news analysis, news features and interpretation; prepare stories demonstrating knowledge of news analysis and news interpretation; define impressionistic reporting; explain the techniques involved in impressionistic reporting; identify the pitfalls in impressionistic reporting and write impressionistic news stories.   

MAS 205: News Writing and Reporting -2 units

The course will introduce the students to the activities and attributes of reporters. Attention will be given to structural elements of news room, definition of news, determinants of news, types and characteristics of news story and principles and techniques of news gathering and dissemination in both the print and electronic media as well as principles backing issuance of press release, theories of the press, regulation of mass media, universal press laws, contempt of court and parliament, ethical issues and press terminologies.

MAS 211: Intro to Film, Cinema and Literature   -2 units

The course deals with the evolutionary developments of film, cinema and literary productions. Focus will be on the history of pioneers of documentary films, film video editing, design, pre-production planning, production process and post-production. The students will also examine film as a medium of communication and the cinema as a communication setting with particular reference to literature and its various forms: the short story, novel, poem and drama. They will have an overview of the kinds of film: documentary (nonfiction) and avant-garde-the role of the cinema in urban and rural communities. 

MAS 213: Foundation of Broadcasting       -2 units   

The students will have an overview of the physical, technical and societal bases of radio and television broadcasting. They are to relate the laws of nature that make broadcasting possible as well as the scientists who exploited them and describe the individual items or equipments used in radio and television and survey the diverse environment of broadcasting stations and networks.

MAS 215: Introduction to Advertising   -2 units                           

The course deals with the definitions of advertising; types and functions of advertising; history and development of advertising in Nigeria; structure of advertising industry: agency clients and media; development of advertising agencies; functions of the advertising manager; the advertising brief: writing and assessing advertising proposals; advertising process: how ads work; role of advertising in marketing; career development in advertising and advertising training and education

200 Level Second Semester Courses

MAS 202: Speech Making, Critical and Reviewing Writing                 -2 units                                    

The course introduces students to the historical context of speech communication, basic principles of speech communication, types of speech and steps towards quality speech making and writing- oratory, logic, language and styles in speech making and writing. The students will also be made to do critical and reviewing of selected speeches of great leaders in the world.

MAS 204:  Editing and Graphics of Communication -2 units

The course will introduce the students to the concepts of graphic design, the principles and elements of designs in communication, principles of composition in design, page planning, typography, make-up techniques, editing process and editing symbols as well as picture treatment: captioning and cropping of photographs.

MAS 206: Foundation of Communication Research   -2 units

The course introduces the students to data gathering methods in journalism and mass communication and enables them to analyse research data and critically evaluate any piece of journalistic writing or social science research. Another objective is to help the students to apply the learnt methods in carrying out research projects.

MAS 208: Principles of Public Relations -2 units

The course deals with definition, concepts, theories and practice of Public Relations and Public Affairs and the importance of PR in either profit or non-profit organizations. It deals with relationship and differences between PR and advertising. Other areas of focus are: managing Customer Relations; Working with the media; understanding public opinion and crisis communication.

MAS 210: Health and Population Communication      -2 units

The course examines the role of communication within the context of human health, birth rate, death rate and human sexual relations, as well as the factors responsible for constant increase in human population, the rural-urban drift and its implications on human social relation and politico-economic development. Students will be acquitted with health communication strategies, such as: posters, bill-boards, drama sketch, radio programmes, mass mobilization programme etc that can be adopted as preventive mechanisms for the control of communicable diseases and deadly diseases such as AIDS, hypertension, diabetes and cancer, among others.   Focus will be on the appropriate communication tools such as: transit media- that can be used to disseminate information to urban and rural dwellers on the causes of infant and maternal mortality rate, as well as birth and population control and the role of Non-Governmental Organization in the development of community health. The issue of census will be discussed with focus on its importance, functions and economic importance.

MAS 212: Editorial Writing                     -2 units

The students will do intensive work in the theory and practice of writing editorials and column based opinions. First, they will learn to define editorial and the four main parts of an editorial: title, introduction, body and conclusion; compare the structure of an editorial with those of the other types of journalistic writing: straight news and features; define persuasion; outline theories of persuasion that are relevant to journalism; analyse the roles of persuasion in editorial (print) and commentaries (electronic); state the strengths and limitations of persuasions in commentaries and editorials; distinguish between persuasive editorials and commentaries such as expository, narrative, argumentative and commendation; discuss trends in editorial writing in Nigeria; discuss the relevance of propaganda in editorial writing and relevant propaganda techniques; outline functions of editorials; explain how the functions interrelate; distinguish between an editorial, opinion and column writing; determine the audience of editorials; explain the impact of editorials on the readers; describe the various approaches to editorial writing like expressive, objective, subjective etc; students are to write an editorial using the various approaches; define editorial board; explain the functions of editorial board; analyse the advantages and disadvantages of an editorial board; define column; analyse the main types of column: syndicated, in-house and guest; distinguish between editorials and columns; state the roles of column in print journalism; evaluate some editorials and columns published in the Nigerian press; students are to write a column on any issue of interest: religion, sports, politics, women, children, science, education etc.

MAS 214: Introduction to Publishing Sequence -2 units

The course examines book publishing as a cultural activity and as a business: the business environment of book publishing focusing on environment analysis using the SWOT analysis method in business organizations. The focus will be on book publication as a mass industry: divisions of the industry and a critical look at the publishing process, industry activities and associations.

MAS 216: Global Security, Conflict and Peace Reporting -2 units

This course focuses on the concept of news reporting for global security, conflict management and peacemaking within the context of African, Asian and Western cultures. The concept of the word: Reporting should be given in order to put the term in the right operational perspective.  The students’ attention will be drawn to the structural elements of news-stories, definition of news and nature of news: news judgement, news values and determinants of news; types and rudiments/characteristics of news story as well as principles and techniques of news gathering. Elements and formats for writing security, conflict and peace news in both the print and electronic media will be discussed. The message patterns for this type of news analyses will follow the standard parameter used in the traditional news coverage and the media content for this type of news story will showcase the existing topics on security, conflict and peacemaking around the world. Among such topics are: Concept of human security, conflict and internally displaced persons, peace enforcement,  meaning of disarmament, public safety system, security and violence, refugees, crisis management, crisis bargaining, war and its resolution, peace-making and peace-sharing, disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration, decision making in crisis situation, and mechanisms of conflict prevention, management and resolution. Emphasis will be on the electoral, political and religious impasse that had ravaged Nigerian society since independence in 1960. Other issues to consider include: theories of the press, regulation of mass media, universal press laws, contempt of court and parliament and ethical issues of the press that are relevant to conflict situations within the global context.

MAS 218: Marketing Foundation for Advertising & Public Relations              -2 units          

This is a study of advertising and PR as communication tools that can be used to market or promote a product, person, an organization or idea. The art and science of marketing will be reviewed as the bases for determining the needs and types of communication solutions that can effectively deal with marketing problems in different situations. 

MAS 220:   Fundamentals of Media Relations -2 units

This course deals with analysis of ways and means of establishing and maintaining rapport and credibility with the media gatekeepers.

300 Level First Semester Courses

MAS 301: Media Attachment -2 units

The students are to do the media attachment in order to understudy the operations of the media organizations and they are to submit a comprehensive account of their experience during this industrial training programme.

 

 

MAS 303: Mass Media and Laws of Ethics-2 units

The course focuses on the study of the legal framework within the context in which mass media operate. Special focus will be on law of defamation: libel and slander, differences between libel and slander, elements of libel, types of libel; list and explain defenses in libel; law of sedition in Nigeria; define sedition and explain criminal libel; contempt of court/contempt of parliament; types of contempt; sanctions that can be imposed by court or parliament for contempt; law of copyright; law of protected/prohibited space; list some prohibited spaces; official secrets act; invasion of privacy-snooping; disclosure of sources; confidential information; freedom of information bill; restrictions on reportage of divorce and ancillary proceedings and children, indecent details proceedings and taking of photographs in court; obscenity law and legal pitfalls. The students will learn about issues bordering on ethics and morality; ethical theories and factors responsible for the moral development of individuals; ethical problems in journalism profession; ethical issues involving journalists and members of the society and ethical mechanisms that are available to profession journalists. 

MAS 305: International Communication and the World Press -2 units

The course examines the world press system; the flow of information, the agency news and different news agencies in the world: their nature and functions, issues and ideologies surrounding the establishment of the agencies, and how culture and economy shaped communication across borders. The students are to learn various definitions of international communication; distinguish between international communication and various types of communication like intercultural communication; discuss the important models of international communication; trace the history of international communication from the developing world’s perspective; describe how this history affects modern international communication; explain global news and the developing countries’ concept of news flow as well as the soviet concept of news flow; discuss the western concept of news flow and analyse the problems caused by these differences in international news perspective; state the functions of cables, radio, television, satellites, facsimiles, newspapers, magazines, laser computers etc as vehicles of international communication; evaluate how the media, in those mentioned above, have served as a means of communication among nations; explain the concept of free and balanced flow of information; analyse the concept of the global village by McLuhan; explain the communist political perspective of media and cultural imperialism on global communication; discuss the developing countries’ position on global communication with particular reference to development communication; state how the global news agencies emerged e.g. Reuters, TASS, AFP, AP, UPI, Kyodo etc; analyse the trends in modern news agency operations and the problems of international news agencies; state how the problems can be solved; analyse the developing countries news agencies e.g. NAN, and their roles and discuss the history, ownership, function, problems and prospects of the News Agency of Nigeria; list and discuss the major international communication organizations such as IBU, ITU etc; and discuss their history and problems; trace the history of information and communication order debate and explain the developing countries’ position on the debate; state the western perspective of NWICO debate and the eastern perspective on the debate; explain the concept of cultural imperialism/cultural invasion in international communication; analyse the problem of ideological differences in international communication; evaluate the problems of new communication technologies and analyse the problems of trans-border data flow.     

MAS 307: Media and Society -2 units

The course introduces students to communication process; traditional and modern means of communication; the mass media: classification and characteristics; functions of mass media and theories of the mass media. There will be an overview of the mass media in Nigerian society and focus will be on media ownership and control; press freedom in Nigeria; press council and Nigerian social structure. Other factors to examine include: culture and the mass media; social change and mass media; cultural imperialism and media dependency; globalization and the media; technology and the media; social institutions and the mass media; social effects of the mass media; mass media and economy; media and governance; media ethics in Nigeria and mass media and development

MAS 309: Newspaper and Magazine Management and Production   -2 units

The course deals with the basic management and economic theory and application of theory to the management process in the newspaper business and the application of theories of economics and management to the management of general and specialized magazines. Students will process editorial materials and produce the MASSCOPE

 

MAS 311: Science and Technology Reporting -2 units

The course deals with the reportage of science and technology that are related to mass media, how they were introduced, their impact on the socio-economic development of the world, the role they played in making the world a global village and their impact on mass communication process. 

MAS 313: Public Affairs Broadcasting      -2 units

The course deals with critical examination of the structure, internal dynamics and functions of the news and current/public affairs division of broadcasting organizations. The students will treat the aspect of interpretative reporting of government and public institutions and agencies and production of current/public affairs discussions, news magazines and documentaries. The students will be assigned to carry out a documentary project on the socio-economic life of their immediate environment. 

MAS 315:        Broadcasting Management And Programming    -2 units

Analysis of the nature and process of management and organization, generally, with particular reference to types of broadcasting organization and their settings.  Consideration of the primary operations of radio and television stations and networks, particularly, programming and personnel and the skills required to manage them in the interest of society.

MAS 317: Book Publishing and the Law-2 units

This course is an in-depth study of those aspects of the law basic to book publishing with emphasis on libel, copyright, national security, privacy etc. Attention will be given to the attendant ethical considerations.

MAS 319:  Advertising Law and Ethics -2 units

The study focuses on structure of advertising regulation and control: legal and voluntary mechanisms; basic law and ethics; elements of business law; law of contract; liability in tort; pertinent torts in advertising: defamation, copyright, passing off, negligence, invasion of privacy, obscenity, and decency etc; code of ethical conduct; guidelines on advertising of tobacco products, alcohol, beverages, food, drugs, cosmetics, financial institutions, political advertising etc; role of government agencies; regulatory bodies: origin, structure and functions; role of professional associations: AAAN, BON, MPAN, OAAN, ADVAN etc; ethical problems: direct media buying, media broke age etc  

MAS 321: Television Programme Writing & Production -2 units

The course deals with comprehensive analysis of the writing process as it pertains to television. It involves analysis and evaluation of television scripts, and production of talks, interviews, discussions and magazine programmes. Intense writing exercise will be done.

 

MAS 323: Advertising Creative Strategies & Tactics -2 units

The course deals with the following marketing concepts as well as  advertising strategies and tactics that can be used in selling products to consumers in contemporary society: (1) the concept of advertising strategies and tactics (2) marketing objectives and strategies (3) Assessment of Business Environment using SWOT and PESTE analysis (4) Competitive advantages (5) Forecasting-HR Planning (6) Visual concepts for Mass Media (7) Classification of Advertising Media (8) Marketing Exchange/Process (9) Market Segmentation-Determinants of Advertising Strategy (10) Key to Advertising Strategy (11) Design Elements and Principles (12) Styling in Corporate Design for Automobiles (13) Typography (14) Product life Cycle (15) Strategic Options in Marketing Mix (16) The Four Ps as the Basic Elements of the Marketing Mix and Media Tactics (17) Selecting and Scheduling Media Vehicles (19) Copy Writing and Basic Copy Structure (20) Advertising Layout formulae  

300 Level Second Semester Courses

MAS 302: Issues in Nigerian Mass Media History    -2 units

The course will focus on dynamics of mass media from 1859 when the first newspaper was published and Political, legal and ethical issues that occurred in the history of the press till date. Focus will also be on historical antecedents, dynamism of media practitioners, how newspaper, radio and television came into existence and their developments, role of political cartoons in the development of Nigerian press, freedom of the press, access to information, censorship, closure of media, disclosure of sources of information and ban on importation of materials for production.

 MAS 304: Economics of News Reporting -2 units

Much of what passes for economics of news reporting in the Nigerian news media is written by economists for economists. The course aims at preparing the students to write up and analyse issues relating to the economy for a mass audience. A basic course in economics is desirable, but not essential. Students offering this course should have successfully completed advanced reporting course.

MAS 306: Foreign Correspondence        -2 units

The course emphasizes the need for the development of an elite press corps to survey the international scene for the country.  It teaches the students, discusses the politics and economics of foreign correspondence and teaches skills that will enable the reporter to function effectively as a foreign correspondent.

 MAS 308: Screen Directing -2 units

The course deals with film production and theories of directing dramatic forms and acting. The latter-theories of directing dramatic forms and acting will be examined through lectures, demonstrations and applied exercise to establish theoretical and practical foundations.

MAS 312: Investigative and Interpretative Reporting   -2 units

The course is designed to teach the students the basic methods of investigating and interpreting news events. Investigative reporting will be defined; the purpose of investigative reporting will be stressed; investigative prone issues like government policies, tax evasion, disaster, epidemic etc will be examined; the process of investigative reporting like research, interview and independent probe  will be treated; strategies of investigative reporting will be outlined, evaluated and discussed; ethical and legal implications of investigative reporting will be treated and students will be assigned to carry out investigative reporting within their locality. Interpretative reporting will be defined; the purpose of interpretative reporting will be stated; interpretative issues will be examined; the process of interpretative reporting will be described; the approaches to interpretative reporting will be outlined, evaluated and discussed; ethical and legal implications of interpretative reporting will be explained and students will do myriads of assignments by using interpretative reporting techniques.

MAS 314: Photo Journalism and Picture Editing -2 units

The course deals with practical introduction to news photography; basic camera and darkroom techniques. It deals with photojournalists’ sensitivity to peoples’ circumstances and events to which he/she is expected to take pictures that communicate. The students will learn fundamentals of photography, operation of different cameras, photographic processes and the use of standard photographic equipments and materials in the photo laboratory. The course equally deals with photo reporting. Emphasis will be on pictures that communicate with aesthetic as well as technical skills. Students are to be taught the techniques of photogram and photo essay. There will be a study of technical and aesthetic qualities of photographs and how these factors affect editorial decisions concerning the use of pictures in publication. Practical work in layout and design and other duties of a newspaper and magazine picture editor will be treated.  

MAS 316: Rural Community Newspaper-2 units

The course will focus on prospects and challenges facing rural newspapers with attention to the role and qualities of newspaper production. The students will be taught how to analyse national systems of print journalism worldwide and how they have affected local press; how to identify grassroots information seekers, information carrier, information indifferent and rumour carrier; major divisions of community newspapers; functions of the editor and other staff of community newspaper; identify the revenue sources for the community newspaper; departmentalization of community newspaper; describe the front and back pages of a community newspaper; explain the localization of news in community newspaper; describe the letter press, offset, gravure, stenciling, and other printing methods; explain lithography and plate making process; process a community newspaper for production; explain the process of circulation and marketing of community newspaper.

MAS 318: Advertising and PR Research -2 units

This course applies quantitative and qualitative research methodologies within the context of advertising and public relations. Emphasis will be on budget, copy and media research.

MAS 320: Film Theory and Aesthetics -2 units

The course introduces students to film, cinema and literature and film production. It explores film as extension of photography. There will be systematic consideration of the basic aesthetic principles, photographic approach, affinities and art. There will be analysis of the properties of the film medium with regard to the realistic tendency and formative tendency, or realism as exemplified by the Lumiers brothers and expressionism as exemplified by Melie and the clashes/compromises between both. The issues of film/cinema as an art will be treated.

MAS 322:    Film Production     -2 units

The course deals with the elements of film production. The techniques of cinematography, production phases and activities and film structuring will be analyzed. There will be an intensive instruction in the production of short films and analysis of popular productions.

MAS 324:   Community Relations           -2 units                                 

The course examines today’s community relations and how effective community relations can be an essential element in the overall public relations programme. There will be focus on untraditional approaches and on case histories to demonstrate how to cope with crisis situations.

400 Level First Semester Courses

MAS 401: Data Analysis in Communication Research     -2 units                                                     

The Students will be exposed to data analysis tools such: content and quantitative analyses; the latter involves the use of questionnaires, tables, graphs, frequency distribution, charts for presentation, measure of central tendency, mean, median, mode, comparison of measures, measure of dispersion: range, standard deviation, variance, skewness as well as test of hypothesis. The students will also be exposed to inferential statistics: statistical testing, correlation and regression, probability theory and uses of computer in quantitative analysis.  

MAS 403: Issues in Broadcasting -2 units

The course will be based on survey of critical perennial issues and contemporary matters that can generate debate and controversies in broadcasting such as sex, violence, political and economic control. 

MAS 405: Educational Broadcasting -2 units

The course will do a critical assessment of educational potentials and limitations of radio and television stations. It will evaluate the pedagogic approaches and production of education programmes.

 

MAS 407:  Documentary Film Production -2 units

The course deals with the evolutionary developments of film production. Focus will be on the history of pioneers of documentary films, film video editing, design, pre-production planning, production process and post-production. 

MAS 409: Broadcasting Station Management and Operations    -2 units

The course will focus on the analysis of the nature and process of management and organization as well as the skills required for managing a broadcasting station.

MAS 411: Economic and Social Issues in PR/Advert   -2 units

This course focuses on the study of advertising and public relations as institutions; the laws and ethics governing the profession in Nigeria as compared to developed countries like United States of America and Britain; self-regulation by practitioners and professional associations; consideration of social responsibility, truth and deception and consumerism, among others.

MAS 413: Organization and Management of PR/Advert Agencies             -2 units                                                       

The course deals with how to set up and effectively run advertising and public relations agencies. The students will acquire consulting and entrepreneurial skills in the areas of advertising and public relations.                                          

MAS 415:  Case Studies in Public Relations -2 units

This course is designed to sharpen the ability of the students in assessing public relations problems and offering solutions. The students will be trained to identify public relations policies and practices in various organizations; to identify the sources of public relations problems in various organizations; to analyse possible effects of the problems in the various organizations discussed. The course will go further to acquit the students with myriads of case studies in public relations organizations; to analyse case studies; to identify specific problems in public relations case studies; to prepare solutions for the case studies. The students will present case studies emanating from Nigeria e.g. NEPA, NTA, Nigeria Airways, the Police etc; they will list areas for public relations case studies and analyse public relations cases drawn from their locality. The students will identify areas for public relations case studies; they will draw up a public relations programme to solve the problems emanating from the case studies; the lecturer will supervise the execution of the PR programme that is drawn by the students and evaluate the success of the execution. The students will finally write group and individual reports; present group and individual reports and evaluate the group and individual reports

MAS 417:   Advertising Copy, Layout and Production Techniques   -2 units

The course focuses on the nature of advertising writing; copyright principles; copy strategy; copy format and layout; writing copy for newspapers, magazines, outdoor, radio and television and web advertising; design principles; stages of advertising layout; designing for various media; introduction to various digital layout programmes; photography and lithography; printing methods/processes; production techniques for print media; production techniques for radio and television and role of computer in modern advertising production

MAS 419: Mobile Cinema and Rural Development             -2 units                                                                   

The course deals with communication for development film production. The strengths and weaknesses of mobile cinema as a medium of mass mobilization will be examined. The history of the mobile cinema in Nigeria will be traced through colonial films, indigenous films and the politics of Nigeria. There will be planning of special health, agricultural and literacy campaigns and production of films for their execution.

MAS 421: Cinema Management             -2 units                                                  

The course deals with the history of motion picture. There will be an overview of management and organization theory with particular attention to the motion picture industry. The establishment and operation of film making companies and cinema houses will be discussed. Problems and hindrances in running film production companies, institutions and cinema will be looked into. 

400 Level Second Semester Courses

MAS 402: Media Attachment -2 units

The students are to do the media attachment in order to understudy the operations of the media organizations and they are to submit a comprehensive account of their experience during this industrial training programme.

MAS 404: Drama and Documentary Production -2 units

The course deals with overview of special problems involved in producing drama and documentary for radio and television; blocking; casting; budgeting; performance. The focus will only be on drama or documentary for both radio and television or both drama and documentary for only radio and television.

MAS 406: Rural Broadcasting -2 units

The course analyses the community needs and problems with regards to the role and qualities of radio and television. It deals with planning of community development projects for implementation through special radio programmes; programme production and evaluation research.

MAS 408: International Public Relations -2 units

The course focuses on the analysis of trends, issues and problems confronting public relations in multinational corporations and other organizations involved in international trade and business.

MAS 410: Communication and National Development -2 units                                                 

This course is designed to enable the students have an insight into the role of communication in the national development process. The students will learn how to define the term: national development; learn to distinguish between a more developed and less developed nation and to explain the major characteristics of a less developed nation. The students will equally learn the definition of the concept: development communication; distinguish between development communication and other forms of communication e.g. interpersonal, intrapersonal, group, international and intercultural. They will trace the historical foundation of development communication and analyse the rationale behind development communication. The students will treat the basic functions of development communication and list the functions such as: loudspeaker, reformer, organizer, equalizer, enricher, accelerator, legitimizer, researcher, mobilizer, informant and educator; they will equally appraise all the functions listed above. The lecturer will teach the students the theories of development communication; explain the instructional design strategies and the principles of selectivity that embraces acceptance, perception, rejection, avoidance, retention etc; explain the participatory theory and analyse social marking strategy. The students will learn how to determine when and how to use interviews, talk shows, drama, short stories, poetry, posters and magazine programmes in development communication and they will practice the technique to show understanding of the subject. The lecturer will discuss the major obstacles to development communication such as poverty, transportation, conceptualization, training, funding, ignorance, illiteracy etc. The students will carry out projects on any of the following topics: (1) communication and primary health care (2) communication and rural development (3) communication and education (4) communication and agricultural development (5) communication and family planning (6) communication and rural/urban migration and (7) communication and urban congestion.    

MAS 412: Media Organization and Management -2 units

This course is designed to familiarize the students with the philosophies, principles and techniques of organization and management of mass media industries. The students will be made to describe the structural organization for a typical magazine or newspaper organization; explain how to organize or structure typical radio, television and film houses; explain how to organize book publishing, public relations and advertising agencies; prepare an organogram for any of these media organizations; identify the various philosophies and theories and differentiate between the theories and philosophies; explain how to manage personnel in media organizations e.g. editorial, technical and administrative; identify the different departments in newspaper and magazine establishments and state how the various departments relate to each other and explain the organizational structure of each department; explain interpersonal communication in print media management; define group dynamics in print media management; explain communication lines in print media management and assess group influence in print media organizations; explain various newspaper and magazine policies; state the principles of management relevant to newspaper and magazine production and outline the strategy of funding; state the functions of the advertising department; state the functions of the circulation department; identify other sources of revenue for the print media; explain the cost reduction techniques in newspaper and magazine production; explain the relationship between media houses and commercial establishments; identify the departments in a radio station; identify the different departments in a television station; state how the various departments relate to each other and explain the organizational structure of each department. Explain interpersonal communication in broadcast media management; define group dynamics in broadcast media management; explain communication lines in broadcast media management and assess group influence in broadcast media management; explain various broadcast media policies; state the principles of programming in management and analyse the strategy of timing in programmes; state the functions of the commercial department; explain the relationship between media houses and commercial establishments; identify other sources of revenue for the stations and explain cost reduction methods in production.                                                                                                                        

MAS 414: Film Criticism -2 units                                              

The focus is on film theory and aesthetics. There will be critical analysis and evaluation of popular and feature films based on major cinematographic principles and criteria such as plot, characterization, special effects and thematic appeal.

MAS 416: Research in Book Publishing -2 units                     

The course focuses on types and methods of research in book publishing including media research, product research, market research, opinion research and campaign testing.

 MAS 420: Research Project -6 units

The students are to initiate and execute a project of interest in the field of mass communication; they must follow the steps in the research methods they have learnt during the period of their academic studies in the University.