REVISED M.A. DEGREE PROGRAMME IN MASS COMMUNICATION
The Department of Mass Communication offers postgraduate Courses leading to the award of Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Mass Communication.
PHILOSOPHY
Considering the central position of communication in nation building, especially in the developing countries, the University of Nigeria, Mass Communication Department, Nigeria’s pioneer in communication education, is committed to its leadership role in sustaining the growth and development of the Communication industry.
OBJECTIVES
The broad objectives of the programme include the training of highly skilled communication practitioners in response to the demands of today’s complex and ever-expanding communication industry in particular and national needs in general.
SCOPE
The programme is designed to produce scholars and researchers for the sustenance of communication education. Accordingly, the curriculum is designed to encompass most of the broad contents in communication practices.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- In line with the university’s policy of offering a quality education, the department admits for the master’s degree programme candidates who possesses a good first degree of the University of Nigeria or of any recognized university in and beyond Nigeria in Mass Communication with at least second-class honours or its equivalent.
- Candidates with Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from an approved University with its CGPA of not below 3.0 on a 5 points scale shall be considered for admission.
- Candidates with a minimum of second class lower degree in relevant disciplines and a CGPA of 3.00 on a five point scale.
- Candidates with a good Postgraduate Diploma (3.5 CGPA) in Mass Communication from accredited University shall be considered.
MODE OF STUDY
The mode of study is a combination of course work and independent research in which the former constitutes about two-third of the entire programme.
DURATION OF THE PROGRAMME
- A full Master’s programmeshould run for a minimum of 3 semesters and a maximum of 6 semesters.
- Part-time master’s programmeshould run for a minimum of 4 semesters and maximum of 8 semesters.
- Masters/Ph.Dprogramme should run for a minimum of 8 semestersand maximum of 12 semesters.
- For extension beyond the specified maximum period, special permission of the Board of Postgraduate school shall be required.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Armed with skills in written and audio-visual communication as well as advertising and public relations, graduates are prepared for job opportunities in the print media, broadcasting, advertising public relations, news agencies, journalism and publishing organizations. Other areas that offer employment opportunities include marketing and research departments of business organizations and departments of communication in polytechnics and universities.
EXTERNAL EXAMINATION
The external examiner system shall be used at the end of the Master programme to assess the course and the dissertation.
The dissertation shall be defended orally before a panel of internal and external examiners and scores awarded.
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION FOR MASTERS (M.A.) IN MASS COMMUNICATION
- Print-Journalism (News Editorial)
- Broadcast Journalism (Radio/Television)
- Advertising and
- Public Relations
REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF THE M.A. DEGREE
To be awarded the Master of Arts degree in Mass Communication, candidate must take and pass a minimum 36 Units made up of the following:
15 units of compulsory courses.
6 units of elective courses in his/her minor area of specialization
3 units of Seminar
12 units of Dissertation.
Successfully defend his/her Dissertation before an approved panel of Examiners to be constituted by the School of Postgraduate Studies.
A minimum CGPA of 3.0 is required to have masters degree
A minimum CGPA of 3.5 or 60% of masters level will be required for Doctorate admission and for firm registration.
COURSE TITLES
Compulsory Courses
MAC 551 Communication Theories 3 Units
MAC 591 Applications of Research Methods in Mass
Communication 3 Units
MAC 531 Newspaper/Magazine Organisation,
Management & Production 3 Units
MAC571 Communication for Development 3 Units
MAC 511 Advanced Reporting and Writing 3 Units
MAC 532 Topical Seminar in Mass Media and
National Security 3 Units
MAC 582 Project Seminar 3 Units
PGC 601 Research Methodology and Application of
ICT in Research 3 Units
MAC 592 Research Project (Dissertation) 12 Units
Core Courses in Areas of Specialization
- Multimedia and Journalism
Core Courses
MAC 501 New Media Theory and Society 3 Units
MAC 553 Science and Technology Reporting 3 Units
MAC 513 Multimedia Reporting 3 Units
Electives Courses for Multimedia Journalism
Specialisation (Choose one Course)
MAC 521 Public Affairs Reporting 3 Units
MAC 561 Specialized Publications 3 Units
MAC 581 Communication and Public Health 3 Units
- Radio/Television and Film Specialisation
Core-Courses
MAC 505 Station Operations and Management 3 Units
MAC 555 Radio/TV Film Production Techniques 3 Units
MAC 533Topical Seminar on Issues in Broadcasting 3 Units
Elective Courses for Radio, TV & Film Specialisation
Choose one of the electives
MAC 523 News Electronic 3 Units
MAC 563 Announcing and Performance 3 Units
MAC 565 Docu-Drama Tech and Production 3 Units
- Advertising and Public Relations (PRAD.)
Core-Courses
MAC 541 Advertising and Public Relation Practices 3 units
MAC 557 Advertising, Public Relations and Society 3 Units
MAC 507 Creative Workshop in Advertising and 3 Units
Public Relations
Electives for Advertising and Public Relations
(Choose one out of the electives)
MAC 525 Management and Marketing Principles
in Advertising And Public Relations 3 Units
MAC 575 Ethics and Social Responsibility in Advertising And Public Relations 3 Units
MAC 595 International Public Relations 3 Units
COURSE DESCRIPTION FOR THE MA PROGRAMME
- MULTIMEDIA AND JOURNALISM SPECIALISATION
MAC 501 New Media Theory and Society
This course will examine issues in the evolution of new media theory and the impacts of new media on society. It will also examine new media economics as well as issues in the operation of new media as sole media establishments and as parts of mainstream media. The course deals with technology acquisition and training, issues in the control and regulations of new media and changes in the role and structure of the communication institution in society as a result of the evolutions and revolutions in communication technology. It will make recommendations on new media and the structure of the social communication institution in terms of training, organisation of the communication industry, qualifications for media practitioners and how to mainstream new communication technology into the fabric of public communication.
MAC 511 Advanced Reporting and Writing
The courses exposes students to advanced concepts and practices in news reporting and writing. It calls attention to the identification and sustenance of news sources, sourcing for background materials to news events and reports.
MAC 513 Multimedia Reporting
The course teaches students the methods for reporting for various media organisations. Its focus is the use of new media equipment to package messages suitable for various media forms. It exposes students to news syndication for multiple media organisations and working for various media arms of media conglomerates or media chains. The course takes care of converging media technologies and the blurring lines between them in terms of the technologies of news generation and presentation.
MAC 521 Public Affairs Reporting
The course teaches students the techniques of reporting urban issues such as environment and the justice systems. It acquaints students with knowledge of the structures of social institutions and agencies (national and international). The course teaches the terminology necessary for reporting social institutions in society in the language the audience will appreciate and understand.
MAC 561 Specialized Publications
The course acquaints students with the rudiments and principles of publishing special publications such as house organs of firms or publications devoted to special areas such as sports. The production processes, economics and structures are handled.
MAC 553 Science and Technology Reporting
The course exposes students to the techniques of reporting news about science and technology. Issues in the reportage of science and technology, terminology and topics for reportage are areas of focus. Issues in the reportage of scientific breakthroughs, calamities arising from the use of scientific discoveries, technology acquisition, and the introduction of technological innovations are areas that will be stressed. The course will dwell a lot on practical assignments in science and technology reporting.
MAC 581 Communication and Public Health
The course acquaints students with the principles of health reporting. It attempts to show the applications of communication to public healthcare issues. It dwells on the communication issues and questions in health reporting, healthcare delivery, health information system, knowledge and attitudes of the citizenry to health information.
- RADIO/TELEVISION AND FILM SPECIALISATION
MAC 505 Station Operations and Management
Acquaints students with general principles of management with reference to the peculiarities and challenges of managing broadcast media establishments. The relationship between management and pattern of ownership and the interplays between the two will be stressed. The course will draw attention to broadcast personnel, management theory and principles and the strategies for the day-to-day routine management of broadcast stations.
MAC 555 Radio/TV Film Production Techniques
Acquaints students with the principles and techniques of producing non-news broadcast contents for radio and television stations. It also exposes students to the techniques of film production.
MAC 533 Topical Seminar on Issues in Broadcasting
As a seminar course, students are expected to prepare seminar papers for presentation. Topics must be approved by the course lecturer or by an authorised departmental panel, and will bear on issues in broadcasting in Nigeria and beyond.
MAC 523 News Electronic
The course exposes students to the techniques of producing hard news bulletins for radio and television stations. It will focus on procurement of news content, editing news content, video editing, and studio and floor management for news presentation.
MAC 563 Announcing and Performance
This course is designed to audition students after teaching them the appropriate oral delivery, dressing and comportment for news casting and continuity announcing for radio and television. Students are required to gain practical experience through serving as continuity announcers, news anchors, correspondents and programme presenters in the department’s radio and television studios.
MAC 565 Docu-Drama Tech and Production
The course is practice-oriented. The planning and production of documentary will be discussed followed by a production exercise. The production will tend towards documentaries for short drama.
- ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALISATION
MAC 541 Advertising and Public Relation Practices
The course gives a background of advertising and public relations. Areas of convergence and divergence are highlighted. Key issues in the practice of advertising and public relations are discussed. Such issues include professionalism, laws, ethics, social impacts, constraints and prospects
MAC 557 Advertising, Public Relations and Society
The course exposes students to the social impacts of advertising and public relations. The changing technologies of advertising and public relations are discussed.
MAC 507 Creative Workshop in Advertising and
Public Relations
The course is practice-oriented. It discusses pertinent problems and challenges in advertising and public relations as professional fields. Topics are developed from existing and emergent problems and challenges in the fields, and are thoroughly discussed in paper presentations and workshops. Creative issues in the designing of advertisements and public relations writings and programmes will be topics for workshops.
MAC 525 Management and Marketing Principles in Advertising and Public Relations
The course exposes students to the marketing principles that underlie advertising and public relations. The communication and promotional aspects of the two fields will be discussed.
MAC 575 Ethics and Social Responsibility in Advertising
This course raises issues in ethics and social responsibility in advertising and public relations practice. The arguments, audience complaints and company responsibilities are raised. The defenses of companies and the way forward on harmonising industry reality with ethical issues are discussed. Ethical provisions and theory and social responsibility theories are also discussed.
MAC 595 International Public Relations
This course introduces students to techniques of public relations practice in international organisations. It raises issues in law, technology, culture, message production and ethical responsibilities as well as international public relations media.
COURSE DESCRIPTION FOR COMPULSORY COURSES
MAC 551 Communication Theories
The course will expose students to various theories of communication. It will also be a means of teaching students how to use communication theories as frameworks in research projects. It takes a deeper and critical look at the new emerging theories of mass communication in the context of the information society.
MAC 591 Applications of Research Methods in Mass Communication
The course enables students to get approvals for project topics and work in conjunction with approved project supervisors and department project examination panels to produce and defend research projects
MAC 531 Newspaper/Magazine Organisation, Management & Production
The course aims at familiarizing students with contemporary trends in print media (newspaper and magazine) management, editing and production. Production and management processes are topics for discussion. This will normally cover procurement of content, newspaper production personnel, editing techniques, and content packaging.
MAC571 Communication for Development
The course aims at deeper appreciation and understanding of the principles of using communication for development. It begins from development as a concept, and takes up issues in communication for development. The course connects communication with various areas of national development and issues on dependency and hegemony in the international communication and development arenas. It reviews the various understandings of development, the contemporary reality in the era of globalization and the attendant changes in the modes of operating development communication.
MAC 511 Advanced Reporting and Writing
The course teaches higher skills in reporting and writing relative to what was learnt in principles of news reporting and writing at the undergraduate level. Reporting and writing techniques for newspapers, magazines, public relations, advertising and new media are discussed.
MAC 532 Topical Seminar in Mass Media and National Security
The course exposes students to techniques of seminar presentation. It enables students to learn the various areas where papers are developed and presented. It is an occasion for teaching mini-research project writing and communication. Methods of developing and presenting long essays are also taught. Students are expected to get approved topics, and work under the supervision of the course lecturer.
MAC 582 Project Seminar
This course enables students to develop seminar papers from their research projects. It creates the platform to defend the research project before a panel of examiners approved by the department.
MAC 592 Research Project (Dissertation)
Students are assigned to supervisors with whom they work on approved topics to be examined by an external examiner appointed by the University through the School of postgraduate studies.
