banner10

 

 

 

1.0    NAME OF THE PROGRAMME: M.SC MASS COMMUNICATION

Programme Code:    2401

2.0    ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

To be admitted into the M.Sc. Mass Communication programme, a candidate is expected to have:

 

  1. A first degree with a minimum of Second Honours (lower division) in Journalism, Mass Communication or Communication Arts from a recognized university or its equivalent.

or

  1. A Post Graduate Diploma in Communications from a recognized university.

 

Concession: Matured students of 35 years of age and above with 10 years work experience in a communication related job position in addition to a first degree may be considered.

 

3.0       PHILOSOPHY, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

3.1 Programme Philosophy

To produce professionals who, through accessible, flexible and cost effective lifelong learning will make meaningful contributions to the development of Nigeria and the global Community by equipping them with a broad foundation in the general field of Mass Communication.

 

    1. Aims

To strengthening the students professional focus and research skills in the field of mass communication so as to enhance their application of theory in practice and prepare them for the doctoral degree in a specific genre of Mass Communication.

 

3.2       Objectives

Since this programme is basically designed to equip students with professional skills that will enable them work effectively in media organisations, at the completion of this programme, graduates should be able to:

(i)   source, write, report and edit news in an analytical, objective and articulate manner;  

(ii)  design programmes and disseminate information using the modern information technology;

(iii) demonstrate the use of journalistic skills through high professional ethics; and

(iv) acquire sound theoretical basis to undertake doctoral studies in any sequence of mass communication

 

 

 

4.0                PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND DEGREE RULES

 

    1. Outline of Programme Structure

The M.Sc. programme in Mass Communication is structured into a minimum of 4 semesters and a maximum of 8 semesters.

 

Year I

 

S/N

Course Code

Course Title

Units

Status

1st Semester

1.

GST 807

The Good Study Guide

2

C

2.

JLS 821

Message Design and Development

3

C

3.

JLS 823

News Reporting and Writing

3

C

4.

JLS 825

Editorial Writing

2

C

5.

JLS 831

Corporate Communication

3

E

6.

PCR 813

Peace and Security in a global context

3

E

 

 

Total Compulsory Credit Units

       10

 

 

 

Total Credit Units- Electives

        3

 

 

 

Total Credit Units

       13

 

2nd Semester

1.

JLS 822

Publication Layout & Design

3

C

2.

JLS 812

Media Law and Ethics

3

C

3.

JLS 814

Communication Research

3

C

4.

JLS 824

Journalism Publications

3

E

5.

JLS 841

Advanced Broadcasting

3

E

 

 

Total Compulsory Credit Units

9

 

 

 

Total Credit Units- Electives

3

 

 

 

Total Credit Units

12

 

Students must pass all Compulsory courses and a minimum of 3 credit units of Electives.

 

Year II

S/N

Course Code

Course Title

Units

Status

 

1st Semester

1.

JLS 813

Media and Society

3

C

 

2.

JLS 815

Advanced Theories in Mass Communication

3

C

 

3.

JLS 817

Seminar in Communication Theory

3

C

 

4.

JLS 845

Issues in Communication Technology and Policy

3

C

 

5.

JLS 843

Elements of Multimedia: Theory and Practice

3

E

 

 

 

Total Compulsory Credit Units

12

 

 

 

 

Total Credit Units- Electives

3

 

 

 

 

Total Credit Units

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2nd Semester

1.

JLS 826

Speech Writing

3

C

 

2.

JLS 842

Introduction to Web Publishing

3

C

 

3.

JLS 816

Research Project

6

C

 

 

 

Total Compulsory Credit Units

12

 

 

 

 

Total Credit Units- Electives

-

 

 

 

 

Total Credit Units

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Students must pass all Compulsory courses and a minimum of 3 credit units of Electives.

 

 

 

4.2      Degree Rules.

To graduation with an M.Sc. in Mass Communication, a student must take a minimum of 30 credit units including all compulsory courses not previously taken at the PGD level, and 6 credit units of elective courses for a 4 or 8 semester structure.

 

Summary of Distribution of Course Credits by Year

 

 

 

YEAR

GST and other General Courses

Core/ Compulsory

 

 

TOTAL

Mass Communication Courses

Elective

Year 1

2

17

6

25

Year 2

-

24

3

27

Total

2

41

9

52

 

NOTE:  Though the students are required to take a minimum of 30 Units they may widen their horizons of knowledge by taking a variety of the elective courses as their abilities would allow them.

 

         5.0        LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION

English is the language of instruction for this programme.

 

6.0    QUALITY ASSURANCE

6.1             Staff

 

S/N

NAME

RANK

QUALIFICATIONS

NATURE

1.

ONWUBERE, H. Chidinma

Associate Professor

PhD Mass Communication(2010)(Broadcast) UNILAG,  M.Sc Mass Communication (1995)  (PRAD) UNILAG,  PGD Mass Comm. (1992) (PRAD)  UNILAG,   B.A English Edu. UNN. (1986), SRN(1976) UNTH, Enugu.

Tenure (Full Time)

2.

Prof McCarthy Eserinune Mojaye

Professor

 

emojaye@noun.edu.ng

3.

NGOA Stanley Naribo

Professor

PhD Communication Theory (2006), Wits, SA (Political Life), M.Sc. Mass Communication, (2002), ESUT, MBA Marketing Communication (1999), AAU Ekpoma, Dip  Mgt. Inf. Systems (1996), (UI Consult), SHND Communication Studies (1980) Aberdeen UK.

Tenure (Full Time)

4.

ALIEDE Elom Jonathan

Professor

PhD. Mass Comm.  Benue state University. (2010), M.Sc. Pub. Rel. /Advert. UNN (2001), M.A Mass Comm. UNN (1998), B.A Mass Comm. UNN(1986)

Tenure (Full Time)

5.

ADELAKUN, Lateef Adekunle

Senior Lecturer

PhD Media Studies (2017), University of Malaya, Malaysia. M.Sc. Mass Communication (2011) UNILAG, B.Sc. Mass Comm.  (2005), UNILAG

Tenure (Full Time)

 

6.2      Admission and Registration Procedure

Admissions and Registration are fully automated. Prospective students’ applications are passed through a set of criteria following NUC guidelines. Successful candidates are issued provisional letters of admission subject to presentation of original copies of their credentials for verification. The flexible nature of the University’s programmes allows candidates to register online for the minimum or maximum number of credits in a semester.

 

6.3      Instructional Methods and Delivery

The method of instruction is by the distance learning mode which involves the use of a range of media to bridge the ‘distance’ between the instructor and the students. Print is the major medium of instruction for this programme. Each course has a study material developed and written specifically for it, and which students are expected to study prior to their being examined. A course guide is also provided to give the student an overview of the course.

 

6.4      Evaluation

6.4.1 Tutor Marked Assignment

Continuous assessments are carried out in the form of assignments and are based on the study material for each course. These assignments will constitute 30% of the total score. The pass mark for the continuous assessment is 50% of the total score.

 

 

      1. End of Semester Examination

Except otherwise stated, each course will culminate in an end of semester examination. The examination constitutes 70% of the total score. The pass mark for the final examination is 50% of the total score.

 

      1.  Marking of Examination Scripts

Examination Scripts are marked by tutorial facilitators within their specified areas of specialization.

 

    1. Learner Support

The programme will be serviced by a range of support services one of which is the grading of the tutor marked assignments by tutorial facilitators. The assignments which will be returned to the students with facilitators’ comments will serve as a means for feedback, and will enable students to assess and improve on their performance. Student counselors are also available at the study centres to cater for the academic needs of learners.

 

7.0       RECOGNITION OF THE PROGRAMME

The programme has been prepared in line with international standards.

 

8.0       PROGRAMME STARTING DATE AND PRESENTATION SCHEDULE

Following the approval of Senate, the programme commenced 2004/2005 academic session.

 

9.0     TARGET GROUP

The programme should be of immense interest and benefit to professionals within various media organisations who desire to upgrade their qualifications, to those whose desire to pursue teaching and research careers as well as those who desire to transit from other disciplines into the field of Journalism.

 

10.0    STUDENT PROJECTIONS

Based on the figures for first set of admissions (124), the programme is projected to have an estimated student population of 250 annually for the first three years and is expected to increase to 500 annually thereafter.

 

 

11.0    CONCLUSION

Capacity building in the communication industry is of immense importance particularly for an emerging economy and democracy as is the case in Nigeria. As a pluralistic society, Nigeria requires balanced reporting to avoid heating up the polity. As such, the key objective of the programme which is the integration of theory and application will enhance the quality of Journalistic practice in the midst of a diversity of ideas and culture. It will also help practitioners to keep abreast of current global trends in the communication industry.