Skip to main content
MAC316Social Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

Mass Comm. & National Development

This course, Mass Communication and National Development, is designed for undergraduate students of mass communication. It provides basic and applicatory knowledge of the role of mass communication in national development. The course explores communication skills and approaches for enhancing development processes. Students will learn development paradigms, theories, and their relevance in the study of mass communication and national development, equipping them with tools for promoting sustainable development programs.

Transform this course into personalized study materials with AI

40h
Study Time
13
Weeks
3h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Mass CommunicationNational DevelopmentCommunication StrategiesDevelopment ParadigmsCommunication Research

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 Theories

2

Development Paradigms

3

Mass Media in Nigeria

4

Communication Strategies

5

National Development Challenges

6

Communication Research

Total Topics6 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

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Communication Specialist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Development Communication Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Public Relations Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Media Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Social Media Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

GovernmentNon-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)MediaAdvertisingPublic Relations

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Getting Started: Conceptualising Mass Communication and National Development

1.5h

Unit 1: Meaning, Nature and Levels of Communication

1.5 study hours
  • Define communication and its various levels.
  • Discuss verbal and non-verbal communication.
  • Explain the characteristics of each communication level.
Week
2

Module 1: Getting Started: Conceptualising Mass Communication and National Development

1.5h

Unit 2: Perspectives on the Concept of Development

1.5 study hours
  • Explain the economic perspective of development.
  • Highlight the political perspective of development.
  • Discuss the philosophical perspective of development.
  • Analyze the socio-cultural perspective of development.
Week
3

Module 1: Getting Started: Conceptualising Mass Communication and National Development

2.5h

Unit 3: Meaning and Essence of National Development

1.5 study hours
  • Define urban, rural, and national development.
  • State specific features for determining national development.
  • Enumerate the basic distinguishing factors between developed and developing nations.

Unit4: Understanding the Fusion between Communication and Development

1 study hours
  • Understand the fusion between communication and development
Week
4

Module 2: Overview of Development Paradigms, Models and Theories

2h

Unit 1: The Dominant Paradigm

2 study hours
  • State the meaning of dominant paradigm.
  • Enumerate various postulations that make up the dominant paradigm.
  • Highlight the relevance of each of the postulations to Nigeria's national development.
Week
5

Module 2: Overview of Development Paradigms, Models and Theories

2h

Unit 2: The Marxist/Socialist Paradigm

2 study hours
  • State the point of convergence and point of departure between the dominant and the Marxist paradigm.
  • Highlight the basic features or propositions of Marxist paradigm.
  • Explain snag or failure of the Marxist paradigm.
Week
6

Module 2: Overview of Development Paradigms, Models and Theories

2h

Unit 3: The Emancipatory Paradigm

2 study hours
  • Discuss the origin of the emancipatory paradigm.
  • Enumerate the circumstances leading to the evolution of the paradigm.
  • Explain the differences between the paradigm and other paradigms before it.
  • State the major premise of the emancipatory paradigm.
Week
7

Module 3: Communication Strategies for National Development

1.5h

Unit 1: Patron-Client Model

1.5 study hours
  • Define the patron-client model.
  • Explain the nature of communication flow under patron-client approach.
  • Analyze the burden or problem associated with patron-client approach.
Week
8

Module 3: Communication Strategies for National Development

2h

Unit 2: ACADA Model

2 study hours
  • Explain the full meaning of ACADA model.
  • Discuss what should be done at each stage of the planning matrix with vivid examples.
  • Highlight the snag with the model.
Week
9

Module 3: Communication Strategies for National Development

2h

Unit 3: Social Marketing Approach

2 study hours
  • Discuss the evolution of 5Ps of the social marketing concept.
  • State the various components of the 5Ps of marketing.
  • Analyze how the 5Ps of marketing can be applied in the process of communication for development.
Week
10

Module 4: Communication Research and National Development

2h

Unit 1: National Development Challenges in Nigeria

2 study hours
  • State the economic and political problems of Nigeria.
  • Highlight Nigeria's socio-cultural and health problems.
  • Enumerate the infrastructural /physical development problems of Nigeria.
Week
11

Module 4: Communication Research and National Development

2h

Unit 2: Communication Research Interests in National Development Challenges

2 study hours
  • Explain the relevance of research in communication process for national development.
  • Enumerate the various stages of research interests in communicating for national development.
Week
12

Module 5: Mass Communication and National Development

2h

Unit 1: An Overview of Media of Mass Communication in Nigeria

2 study hours
  • Discuss briefly the history of mass media in Nigeria.
  • Highlight the structure of mass media in Nigeria.
  • Expatiate on media localization for national development.
Week
13

Module 5: Mass Communication and National Development

3h

Unit 2: Strengths and Weaknesses of Media of Mass Communication in Nigeria

2 study hours
  • State the potentials of various organs of mass communication in promoting national development.
  • Highlight the limitations of each of the organs of mass communication.
  • Enumerate the specific areas each of the medium can be used for national development.

Unit 3: Functions of Mass Media in National Development

1 study hours
  • Understand the functions of mass media in national development

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

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

Access PDF Material

Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create comparative tables outlining the key features, strengths, and weaknesses of the Dominant, Marxist, and Emancipatory paradigms from Module 2.

2

Develop case studies applying the ACADA model (Unit 2, Module 3) to specific national development challenges like healthcare or education.

3

Practice analyzing news articles and media content for biases related to mass media ownership (Unit 3, Module 5).

4

Construct mind maps linking communication research methods (Module 4) to specific national development goals, such as poverty reduction or improved health outcomes.

5

Review and summarize the strengths and weaknesses of different mass media channels (Unit 2, Module 5) for reaching diverse audiences in Nigeria.

6

Prepare concise definitions and examples for all key terms and concepts from each unit, focusing on practical applications and real-world scenarios.

Related Courses

Other courses in Social Sciences that complement your learning