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MAC115Social Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

African Communication Systems I

This course, African Communication Systems I, is designed to introduce undergraduate students to the structure, form, and content of African oral traditional communication. It explores both past and present modern mass media systems, examining their influence by African political culture. The course emphasizes the major elements of African communication systems, focusing on specific peculiarities in agents, forms, media, and channels. Students will identify and discuss the structure, form, and contents of traditional communication systems.

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208h
Study Time
13
Weeks
16h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
African CommunicationTraditional MediaVerbal CommunicationNon-Verbal CommunicationCultural Heritage

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
🔬
Learning Type
Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Communication Concepts

2

African Communication Systems

3

Traditional Channels of Communication

4

Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

5

Visual Channels of Communication

6

Iconographic Channels

7

Instrumental Channels

8

Demonstrative Channels

Total Topics8 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Communication Specialist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Cultural Affairs Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Public Relations Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Journalist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Broadcasting

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Media and EntertainmentCultural InstitutionsGovernment and Public ServiceNon-Profit OrganizationsEducation

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 1: The Concepts of Communication, African Communications Systems and Reasons for Studying African Communication Systems

2 study hours
  • •Read the introduction to communication and African communication systems.
  • •Identify the functions of communication.
  • •Discuss the interplay between culture and African communication systems.
  • •Outline the reasons for studying African communication systems.
Week
2

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 2: The Imbalance in Global Communication Flow and the Rise of African Communication Systems

2 study hours
  • •Examine the imbalance in global communication flow.
  • •Understand the rise of African communication systems.
  • •Discuss the characteristics of African communication systems.
  • •Identify the problems of indigenous communication.
Week
3

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 3: African Communication Systems and Mass Communication Compared

2 study hours
  • •Compare African communication systems and mass communication.
  • •Outline the differences and similarities between indigenous and exogenous communication.
  • •Discuss the alternatives to African communication systems.
  • •Understand the characteristics of African communication systems.
Week
4

Module 2: Traditional Channels of Communication

2h

Unit 1: Classification of the Traditional Channels of Communication in Africa

2 study hours
  • •Classify traditional communication channels.
  • •List the channels under each class of traditional communication.
  • •Outline the different types of communication in Africa.
  • •Identify the channels under the various types of communication in Africa.
Week
5

Module 2: Traditional Channels of Communication

2h

Unit 2: Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

2 study hours
  • •Define verbal communication.
  • •Outline the channels of verbal communication.
  • •Define non-verbal communication.
  • •Outline the channels of non-verbal communication.
Week
6

Module 2: Traditional Channels of Communication

2h

Unit 3: Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication Compared

2 study hours
  • •Outline the differences between verbal and nonverbal communication.
  • •Discuss the differences between verbal and nonverbal communication.
  • •Outline the interconnectedness between verbal and nonverbal communication.
  • •Examine the interconnectedness between verbal and nonverbal communication.
Week
7

Module 3: Overview of Visual Channels of Communication

2h

Unit 1: Overview of Visual Channels of Communication and Pigmentation/Colours as a Group of Visual Channels

2 study hours
  • •Outline the various types of visual communication.
  • •Discuss the communication functions of visual communication.
  • •Discuss pigmentation and colours as a group of visual communication.
  • •Discuss some examples of pigmentation and colours drawing from their cultures and communities.
Week
8

Module 3: Overview of Visual Channels of Communication

2h

Unit 2: Appearance: Physical Look and Costume\Facial Marks and Tattoos\Records

2 study hours
  • •Discuss appearance as a group of visual communication.
  • •Discuss physical appearance and costume drawing from their cultures and communities.
  • •Discuss tribal marks and tattoos as examples of appearance, a group of visual communication.
  • •Define records and list some examples.
Week
9

Module 4: Iconographic Channels

2h

Unit 1: Iconographic Channels of Communication: Objectified, Floral, Plants and Crops

2 study hours
  • •Define iconographic communication.
  • •Outline the various types of iconographic communication.
  • •Discuss the communication functions of iconographic communication.
  • •Discuss objectified as a group of iconographic communication.
Week
10

Module 5: Instrumental Channels

4h

Unit 1: The Concept of Instrumental Communication

2 study hours
  • •Outline the various groups of instrumental communication devices.
  • •List the types of instrumental communication devices drawing examples from what obtains in their cultures and communities.
  • •Discuss the communication functions of various instrumental communication devices listed.

Unit 2: Idiophones

2 study hours
  • •List the types of idiophones drawing from their cultures.
  • •Discuss the types of idiophones listed.
  • •Discuss the communication functions of the various idiophones.
Week
11

Module 5: Instrumental Channels

4h

Unit 3: Membraneophones

2 study hours
  • •List the types of membraneophones drawing from their cultures.
  • •Discuss some types of membraneophones.
  • •Discuss the communication functions of the various membraneophones devices commonly used in African communication.

Unit 5: Aerophones

2 study hours
  • •List the types of aerophones drawing from their cultures.
  • •Discuss some types of aerophones found in their cultures.
  • •Discuss the communication functions of aerophones in African.
Week
12

Module 5: Instrumental Channels

2h

Unit 4: Membraneophones in Western Nigeria

2 study hours
  • •List the types of membraneophones in Western Nigeria.
  • •Discuss some types of membraneophones found in Western Nigeria.
  • •Discuss the communication functions of the various membraneophones commonly used in Western Nigeria.
Week
13

Module 6: Demonstrative Channels

4h

Unit 1: The Concept of Demonstrative Communication

2 study hours
  • •Outline the various types of demonstrative communication devices.
  • •Discuss the types of demonstrative communication drawing from their cultures.
  • •Discuss the communication functions of demonstrative communication devices.

Unit 4: Poetry, Chants and Incantations

2 study hours
  • •Define poetry, chant and incantation.
  • •Outline usage occasions for poetry, chant and incantation.
  • •Explain the communication functions of poetry, chant and incantation.
  • •Distinguish between chants and incantation.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review the definitions and functions of communication from Unit 1.

2

Create a comparative table outlining the differences between African communication systems and mass communication (Unit 3, Module 1).

3

Develop flashcards for each traditional communication channel (Modules 2-6) with examples from different African cultures.

4

Practice interpreting visual cues and symbols from Unit 1 and 2 of Module 3.

5

Focus on understanding the cultural context and symbolic meanings of instrumental and demonstrative communication (Modules 5 and 6).

6

Create concept maps linking verbal and non-verbal communication (Module 2) to specific cultural practices.

7

Study the characteristics of language from Unit 2 of Module 2.

8

Pay close attention to the communication functions of music, dance, and other art forms (Module 6).

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