Media & Society

1. Explain the communication process and the functions of mass media in society.
2. Analyze the structure and control of media in Nigeria.
3. Evaluate the impact of culture and globalization on media content.
4. Apply ethical principles to media practice.
5. Assess the role of media in governance and development.
6. Critically analyze media theories and their relevance to the Nigerian context.

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

1. Week 1Module 1: Introduction to Media and Communication

   • 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 and explain the communication process, including the roles of the transmitter, message design, medium selection, receiver, response design, and feedback..

2. Week 2Module 1: Introduction to Media and Communication

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

     Differentiate between traditional and modern means of communication.. Outline the various forms of African communication systems, such as town criers, hornmen, minstrels, and storytellers.. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of traditional communication methods.. Explain the characteristics of modern mass media and its role in reaching a large audience.. Establish the relationship between traditional and modern systems of communication in Nigeria..

3. Week 3Module 1: Introduction to Media and Communication

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

     Define the term 'mass media' and understand its role in society.. Classify the mass media into print and electronic media.. Describe the characteristics of print media, including newspapers and magazines.. Describe the characteristics of electronic media, including radio, television, and film.. Differentiate between print and electronic media..

4. Week 4Module 1: Introduction to Media and Communication

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

     Discuss the traditional functions of the mass media: information, education, and entertainment.. Explain other functions of the mass media, including surveillance, transmission of cultural heritage, status conferral, and interpretation and prescription of news.. Understand the agenda-setting function of the mass media.. Analyze the role of the mass media in shaping public opinion and influencing decision-making..

5. Week 5Module 1: Introduction to Media and Communication

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

     Define the concept of a theory and explain its characteristics.. Discuss the importance of studying theories of mass media.. Explain the different types of normative theories: Authoritarian, Libertarian, Democratic-Participant, Social Responsibility, and Development Media Theory.. Analyze the application of these theories in different media systems..

6. Week 6Module 2: Media Landscape in Nigeria

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

     Define the term 'society' and understand the diversity of the Nigerian society.. Give an overview of the mass media in Nigeria through different eras: Colonial, Pre-independence, Post-independence, and Present.. Analyze the influence of socio-political and economic factors on the Nigerian mass media.. Discuss the challenges and progress made in the Nigerian mass media..

7. Week 7Module 2: Media Landscape in Nigeria

   • Unit 2: Media Ownership and Control · 2 hours

     Explain the different types of media ownership: government, private, joint government and private, public, and user ownership.. Discuss the methods of exercising control over the media, including repressive legislation, heavy taxation, and direct or indirect control of essential production inputs.. Analyze the indirect control of media structures through management, finance, production, and distribution..

8. Week 8Module 2: Media Landscape in Nigeria

   • 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.. Discuss the limits to press freedom in Nigeria, including constitutional provisions and other laws.. Analyze the impact of these limitations on media practice in Nigeria..

9. Week 9Module 2: Media Landscape in Nigeria

   • Unit 4: The Nigerian Press Council · 2 hours

     Define press council and its role in regulating media practice.. Outline the reasons for establishing press councils.. Discuss the structure and functions of the Nigerian Press Council.. Analyze the role of the Nigerian Press Council in maintaining ethical standards in journalism..

10. Week 10Module 2: Media Landscape in Nigeria

    • Unit 5: The Nigerian Social Structure · 2 hours

      Define social structure and its importance in understanding society.. Outline the class structure of contemporary Nigeria: bourgeoisie, petty bourgeoisie, proletariat, peasantry, and lumpens.. Analyze the patterns of interaction between different classes in Nigerian society.. Understand the role of the mass communicator in addressing social inequalities..

11. Week 11Module 3: Media, Culture, and Globalization

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

      Define culture and outline its components: material and non-material culture.. Discuss the relationship between culture and the mass media.. Analyze the role of the mass media in preserving and transmitting cultural heritage.. Understand the impact of the mass media on cultural values and norms..

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

      Define social change and outline the approaches to social change: evolutionary and revolutionary.. Discuss the obstacles to social change.. Establish the relationship between social change and the mass media.. Analyze the role of the mass media in facilitating social transformation..

12. Week 12Module 3: Media, Culture, and Globalization

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

      Define cultural imperialism and understand its impact on developing nations.. Discuss media dependency and its economic and technological dimensions.. Analyze the role of powerful nations in defining news and controlling the minds of diverse people.. Understand the concept of media imperialism and its effects on cultural independence..

    • Unit 4: Globalisation and the Media · 2 hours

      Define globalization and understand its effects on people and countries.. Discuss the positive and negative impacts of globalization.. Analyze the role of the mass media in a globalized community.. Understand the concept of media globalization and its implications for information flow..

13. Week 13Module 4: Media Impact and Ethics

    • Unit 5: Technology and the Media · 2 hours

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

    • Final Revision · 2 hours

      Review all modules and units.. Prepare for final examinations.. Revise all TMAs and tutor's comments..