Course Description

The course introduces students to a broad range of specific ethical and legal issues pertinent to various aspects of the media. The course will investigate and analyse techniques for dealing with ethical problems and moral dilemmas that students may encounter in their professional lives. The rights and duties of the press, including electronic media are examined.  Attention is given to Limitations on Freedom of Expression- defamation, contempt of court and of parliament, obscenity, copyright and obscenity. Special Attention is given to Ghana’s Constitution provisions on Freedom and Independence of the Media.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

·         Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of ethics and it impacts on media practice

·         Explain the development of the Ghana Legal system

·         Critically appraise the concept of Freedom and Independence of the Media in Ghana

·         Explain the limitations on freedom of speech and of expression and why these laws are necessary

·         Write stories devoid of breaches of the law  

Course Content

·         The Concept of Law

·         Development of the Ghana Legal System

·         Freedom and Independence of the Media

·         Limitations on Freedom of Speech and of Expression

·         Court Reporting

·         Law of Confidence

·         Ethics and Code of Conduct

Compulsory Reading Materials

·         Opoku-Agyeman, Maxwell. (2009). Constitutional Law and History of Ghana. Accra: Typewell Ventures.

·         1992 Constitution of Ghana.

Course Description

This course is a build up upon News Reporting and is structured to help students become careful and precise editors of their own writing and that of others. The goal is to expose students to the function and operations of copy editing. The course focuses on skills associated with all stages of the news reporting process with the view to developing the knowledge of students on how potential news items are selected, how journalists manage relationship with contacts and how they conduct interviews.  Topic covered  include news writing and structures employed in news reporting of different types, and skills required to distil sometimes complex material into a form which will attract and hold the attention of casual readers.

Leaning Outcomes

By the end of the course students should be able to

·         Demonstrateprofound understanding of how to identify news and how to go for it

·         Explain the various forms of news writing and their guiding principles

·         Analyse the role of citizen journalism in contemporary journalism

·         Explain factors that go into conducting an effective interview for a story

·         Discuss why journalists must uphold ethical principles in their trade

Course Content

·         Redefining News: Citizen Journalism and Convergence

·         Reporting tools, gathering and verifying information

·         Reporting with numbers; computer assisted reporting

·         Inverted pyramid; beyond the inverted pyramid

·         Covering and writing news, speeches, news conferences

·         Conducting interviews

·         Reporting and code of ethics, qualities of a reporter

Compulsory Reading Materials

·         Harrower, Tim. (2010). Inside Reporting: A Practical Guide to the Craft of Journalism. New Delhi: McGraw Hill Education.

·         Hough, G. A. (1994). News Writing (5^thed.). USA: Houghton Mifflin College

Optional Reading Material  

·           Kamath, M. V. (2009). The Journalist’s Handbook. India: Vikas Publishing House Ltd.

Course Description

The course introduces students to elements of design, spatial relationships, typography and imagery as they apply to practical visual solutions for self-promotion, resumes, logo design, Web design, and sequential systems. It instructs the student in graphic design skills employing traditional and digital tools, materials and procedures employed in the communication arts industry. The course focuses on helping learners find creative visual solutions to communication problems using technical skills.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, the student should be able to

·         Correctly evaluate typographic and layout design outcomes

·         Utilize knowledge gained to design and develop media artefacts with a high quality of layoutand graphic design features. 

·         Conceive, create and deliver a range of layout and graphic design media products

·         Demonstrate capacity for critical evaluation and professional competence. 

·         Competently construct and present hard-copy promotional materials adaptable to multiple formats

Course Content

·         Design Concepts in Black and White

·         Introducing Photoshop

·         Introducing Quark Xpress

·         Scanning Class

·         Creating Your Advert

·         Design using Colour

·         Photoshop Selections

Required Reading Materials

·         Lidwell, W., Holden, K. & Butler, J. (2010). Universal Principles of Design. (2^nded.).

Rockport, United States: Rockport Publisher Incorporated.

·         Bierut, Michael. (2010).How to Use Graphic Design to Sell Things. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd.

Recommended Reading Material

·         Wheeler, Alina. (2012). Designing Brand Identity. New York, United States: John Wiley & Sons Inc.