Media And Society

1. Explain the communication process and its various components.
2. Analyze the functions and theories of mass media.
3. Evaluate the role of media in shaping society and culture.
4. Understand the ethical considerations for mass communicators.
5. Assess the impact of globalization on media practices.
6. Identify the challenges and opportunities in the field of mass communication.

13 weeks, about 32 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Introduction

   • Unit 1: The Communication Process · 2 hours

     Read the introduction to understand the importance of communication in human interaction.. Define communication and identify its key elements.. Discuss the different types of communication: verbal, non-verbal, intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, and mass communication.. Outline the communication process, including transmitter, message design, medium selection, receiver, response design, feedback..

2. Week 2Module 1: Introduction

   • Unit 2: Traditional and Modern Means of Communication · 2 hours

     Differentiate between traditional and modern means of communication.. Outline the forms of African communication systems, such as town criers and storytellers.. Discuss the advantages of modern means of communication, including speed and reach.. Establish the relationship between traditional and modern means of communication in Nigeria..

3. Week 3Module 1: Introduction

   • Unit 3: The Mass Media – Classification and Characteristics · 2 hours

     Define the mass media and understand its role in society.. Classify the mass media into print and electronic media.. Discuss the characteristics of the print media, including newspapers and magazines.. Discuss the characteristics of the electronic media, including radio and television..

4. Week 4Module 1: Introduction

   • Unit 4: Functions of the Mass Media · 2 hours

     Identify the traditional functions of the mass media: information, education, and entertainment.. Discuss other functions of the mass media, such as surveillance, cultural transmission, and status conferral.. Explain the agenda-setting function of the mass media..

5. Week 5Module 1: Introduction

   • Unit 5: Theories of the Mass Media · 2 hours

     Define a theory and explain its characteristics and relevance.. Discuss normative theories of the mass media, including Authoritarian, Libertarian, and Social Responsibility theories.. Explain the Development Media Theory and Democratic Participant Theory..

6. Week 6Module 2: Nigerian Mass Media

   • Unit 1: Nigerian Society: Overview of the Mass Media · 2 hours

     Understand the Nigerian society and its cultural diversity.. Give an overview of the mass media in Nigeria, including colonial, pre-independence, post-independence, and present eras.. Discuss the influence of socio-political and economic factors on the Nigerian mass media..

7. Week 7Module 2: Nigerian Mass Media

   • Unit 2: Media Ownership and Control · 2 hours

     Explain the different types of media ownership: government, private, joint, public, and user ownership.. Discuss the methods of exercising control over the media, including repressive legislation and indirect control of media structures.. Understand the reasons behind media control..

8. Week 8Module 2: Nigerian Mass Media

   • Unit 3: Press Freedom in Nigeria · 2 hours

     Define press freedom and its importance in a democratic society.. Outline the constitutional guarantees for press freedom in Nigeria.. Appreciate the limits to press freedom in Nigeria, including laws related to defamation and national security..

9. Week 9Module 2: Nigerian Mass Media

   • Unit 4: The Nigerian Press Council · 2 hours

     Define press council and understand its role in regulating the journalism profession.. Outline the reasons for the establishment of press councils.. Discuss the structure and functions of the Nigerian Press Council, including its committees and procedures..

10. Week 10Module 2: Nigerian Mass Media

    • Unit 5: The Nigerian Social Structure · 2 hours

      Define social structure and understand its importance in society.. Outline the class structure of contemporary Nigeria, including the bourgeoisie, petty bourgeoisie, proletariat, peasantry, and lumpens.. Examine the patterns of interaction among members of the Nigerian society..

11. Week 11Module 3: Culture and Globalization

    • Unit 1: Culture and the Mass Media · 2 hours

      Define culture and understand its components: material and non-material culture.. State the relationship between culture and the mass media.. Discuss the role of the mass media in preserving and transmitting culture..

    • Unit 2: Social Change and the Mass Media · 2 hours

      Define social change and understand its approaches: evolutionary and revolutionary.. Discuss the obstacles to social change.. Establish the relationship between social change and the mass media..

12. Week 12Module 3: Culture and Globalization

    • Unit 3: Cultural Imperialism and Media Dependency · 2 hours

      Define cultural imperialism and understand its impact on developing countries.. Discuss media dependency and its economic and technological dimensions.. Analyze the influence of powerful nations on less privileged countries through media messages..

    • Unit 4: Globalisation and the Media · 2 hours

      Define globalization and understand its effects on people and countries.. Explain the roles of the mass media in a globalized community.. Discuss the positive and negative aspects of globalization as promoted by the mass media..

13. Week 13Module 4: Media Influence and Ethics

    • Unit 5: Technology and the Media · 2 hours

      Define technology and understand its role in the mass media.. Outline the types of media technology, including satellite, internet, television, telephone, and microchip.. Discuss the impact of technology on information gathering and dissemination..

    • Unit 1: Social Institutions and the Mass Media · 2 hours

      Define social institutions and understand their types: family, education, economic, political, legal, religious, and health.. Establish the relationship between social institutions and the mass media.. Discuss the role of the mass media as an agent of socialization..