MAC142

Introduction to Radio and Television

Social Sciences
100 level
3 credit units
152 pages
21 units

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of radio and television broadcasting. It explores the history, origin, and evolution of radio and television, covering basic equipment, programming, news production, and presentation techniques. Students will learn about advertising in broadcast media, media law, and the qualities of good broadcasting. The course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of radio and television production techniques.

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About this course

Difficulty: Intermediate
Study hours: 208 hours
Maths: None
Content: Theoretical, practical, case study
Practical work: Yes

Before you start

Basic Communication Skills

How it is assessed

Assignments
Tutor Marked Assessments
Final Examination

What you'll read

The real module and unit structure of MAC142, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.

Module 1

Module 2 · RADIO PRODUCTION

Module 3 · TELEVISION PRODUCTION

Module 4 · RADIO AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

MAC142 · UNIT 2 HISTORY AND ORIGIN OF RADIO/TV BROADCASTING

We have explained the definition of broadcasting, the characteristics of broadcasting, the programme content, objective, evaluation and production consideration. Persons are employed to work in a broadcast organisation to achieve these aims and objectives.

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What you should be able to do

Explain the history and evolution of radio and television broadcasting.
Identify and describe the basic equipment used in radio and television production.
Apply principles of effective programming and news production.
Understand the legal and ethical considerations in broadcasting.
Demonstrate knowledge of digital broadcasting technologies.
Analyze the role of advertising in broadcast media.

What it prepares you for

Careers

Radio Presenter
Television Producer
Broadcast Journalist
Media Manager
Advertising Executive

Where it is applied

Radio Broadcasting
Television Broadcasting
Digital Media
Advertising
Public Relations

Tools

Microphones
Cameras
Mixing Consoles
Editing Software

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

Module 3: Television Production
Unit 2: Basic Principles of Presentation
Understanding the nuances of effective presentation requires practical experience and keen observation of audience reactions.
Module 4: Radio and Television Production Techniques
Unit 7: Media Law
The legal implications of broadcasting require careful study and understanding of complex legal frameworks.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 78 hours in total. Yours will differ.

Week 1Module 1: Introduction to Broadcasting
- Unit 1: Principles and Practice of Broadcasting · 3 hours
  Read Unit 1: Principles and Practice of Broadcasting. Understand the definition and characteristics of broadcasting.. Identify the stages of programme production.. Outline production considerations..
- Unit 2: History and Origin of Radio/TV Broadcasting · 3 hours
  Read Unit 2: History and Origin of Radio/TV Broadcasting. Understand the growth of radio and television in Nigeria.. Discuss ownership, control, and deregulation of broadcasting in Nigeria..
Week 2Module 1: Introduction to Broadcasting
- Unit 3: Broadcasting as an Industry · 3 hours
  Read Unit 3: Broadcasting as an Industry. Understand the definition of broadcasting as an industry.. Explain programme content.. Discuss experience, knowledge, and proficiency in programming..
- Unit 4: Basic Equipment used in Broadcasting · 3 hours
  Read Unit 4: Basic Equipment used in Broadcasting. List broadcast equipment, including the camera and tapes.. Explain the difference between one type of microphone and another.. Explain what the console is..
Week 3Module 2: Radio Production
- Unit 5: Qualities of Good Broadcasting · 4 hours
  Read Unit 5: Qualities of Good Broadcasting. Define good broadcasting.. Explain objectives and programme strategy in broadcasting.. Evaluate broadcast programmes..
- Unit 1: Advent of Radio in Nigeria · 2 hours
  Read Unit 1: Advent of Radio in Nigeria. Present an overview of the growth of radio in Nigeria.. Discuss ownership and control of radio.. Describe networking on radio..
Week 4Module 2: Radio Production
- Unit 2: Programmes Format · 4 hours
  Read Unit 2: Programmes Format. Define Programme and Programme Appreciation.. Explain the terms Documentary and Features.. Explain programme functions and distinguish News from other programmes..
- Unit 3: Radio Formats and Terminology · 2 hours
  Read Unit 3: Radio Formats and Terminology. Define Formats and Terminology.. Define On–Air Recording.. Define Radio Hand Signals.. Discuss the Choice of Words and Phrases.. Explain Conversational Tone..
Week 5Module 2: Radio Production
- Unit 4: News Production · 6 hours
  Read Unit 4: News Production. Define News Production/Presentation and Voice Production in broadcasting.. Explain News Values in broadcasting.. Explain News Reporting and News Beats in broadcasting..
Week 6Module 2: Radio Production
- Unit 5: Importance of Programming · 6 hours
  Read Unit 5: Importance of Programming. Explain what programming is all about.. Effectively discuss programme creation and concept.. Demonstrate the essence of programme idea and proposal..
Week 7Module 3: Television Production
- Unit 1: Announcing · 6 hours
  Read Unit 1: Announcing. Explain what broadcast presentation is.. Describe who Newscasters and Narrators are in broadcasting.. Describe the functions of the Anchorman and Disc Jockey..
Week 8Module 3: Television Production
- Unit 2: Basic Principles of Presentation · 6 hours
  Read Unit 2: Basic Principles of Presentation. Define Diction and its use in presentation.. Explain the essence of mood and emotion in broadcasting.. Talk intelligently about competence and charisma..
Week 9Module 3: Television Production
- Unit 3: Advertising in Broadcasting · 6 hours
  Read Unit 3: Advertising in Broadcasting. Explain Advertising and its development.. Explain the Functions and criticisms of Advertising.. Explain the term Copy Writing in Advertising..
Week 10Module 3: Television Production
- Unit 4: The TV Producer and Production Techniques · 3 hours
  Read Unit 4: The TV Producer and Production Techniques. Explain TV production and production techniques.. Identify the roles of the producer and those of the other members of production crew.. Explain TV production treatment and basic production methods..
- Unit 5: The Director and Directing · 3 hours
  Read Unit 5: The Director and Directing. Give a clear definition of radio and TV directing.. Spell out the duties of a director and production staff in television production.. Explain the term Rushes in television production..
Week 11Module 4: Radio and Television Production Techniques
- Unit 1: Writing for Television · 3 hours
  Read Unit 1: Writing for Television. Properly explain writing and scripting for television.. Differentiate documentary from news writing.. Write news and drama scripts for television production..
- Unit 2: Writing for Radio · 3 hours
  Read Unit 2: Writing for Radio. Define radio news, documentary news and other programmes.. Explain why it is necessary for the writer to sue words economy in writing for radio.. Demonstrate understanding of the proper tenses used in writing for radio programmes..
Week 12Module 4: Radio and Television Production Techniques
- Unit 3: Studio Managers for Radio and Television · 3 hours
  Read Unit 3: Studio Managers for Radio and Television. Define studio manager in broadcast studio.. Differentiate the role of the director with pother directors.. Explain the duties of the set designer.. Discuss the role of the floor manager in Television production.. Explain the reasons for having a technical director during production..
- Unit 4: Programme Scripts for Radio and Television · 3 hours
  Read Unit 4: Programme Scripts for Radio and Television. Define scripts for Radio and Television.. Explain the stages involved in planning for a script.. Explain the tenets of script writing as to when the structure, review and attend actuality.. Identify qualities of a good script writer.. Distinguish production scripts from other forms of scripts..
Week 13Module 4: Radio and Television Production Techniques
- Unit 5: Outside Broadcasting · 2 hours
  Read Unit 5: Outside Broadcasting. Identify outside Broadcast channels and types.. Fully explain how to link up the station with the OB Van.. Demonstrate the work of commentators on site..
- Unit 6: Digital Broadcasting · 2 hours
  Read Unit 6: Digital Broadcasting. Define digital broadcasting.. Explain its advantages over analogue broadcasting.. Categorise digital broadcasting into radio and television and explain what each means.. Explain the relevance of digital broadcasting to the development of Nigeria..
- Unit 7: Media Law · 2 hours
  Read Unit 7: Media Law. Demonstrate knowledge of media laws and freedom of the press.. Differentiate between the Official Secrets Act and other forms of media law.. Explain defamation and the Law of Sedition in broadcast journalism..

Preparing for the exam

What to do

Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and their solutions to identify key concepts.
Create concept maps linking Module 1 Units 1-5 to understand the evolution and principles of broadcasting.
Practice writing news scripts for both radio and television, focusing on clarity and conciseness (Modules 2 and 4).
Study media law concepts from Unit 7, focusing on defamation, sedition, and the Official Secrets Act.
Prepare examples of ethical dilemmas in broadcasting and analyze them using relevant ethical frameworks.
Create a timeline of key events in the history of radio and television broadcasting in Nigeria (Module 1).
Practice identifying different types of microphones and their appropriate uses (Module 1).
Review the roles and responsibilities of different production crew members (Module 3).
Understand the key differences between analogue and digital broadcasting (Module 4).
Practice writing advertising copy for different broadcast media (Module 3).

Questions students ask about this course

What is MAC142 about?

How many units does MAC142 have?

MAC142, Introduction to Radio and Television, has 21 units across 4 modules, over 152 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is MAC142?

MAC142 carries 3 credit units, at 100 level in Social Sciences.

Is MAC142 hard?

MAC142 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and case study work, and it has a practical component.

How long does MAC142 take to study?

About 208 hours of study, spread across its 21 units.

How is MAC142 assessed?

MAC142 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.

What do I need before starting MAC142?

Basic Communication Skills

What can I do with MAC142?

Radio Presenter, Television Producer, Broadcast Journalist, Media Manager and Advertising Executive.