Course Description
This course is an introduction to Social Development with a particular emphasis on families and communities. This course will thus provide you with an overview of key theoretical perspectives and debates which underpin various approaches to social development. You will focus on the theoretical debates that inform policy and practice of social development. Throughout this course you will critically explore the assumptions, rationale and ethics of social development in thought and practice. As such, this course explores the social factors and conditions that promote or hinder social development and how this affects the well-being of individual, families, and communities in contemporary societies. The course focuses on different aspects of social development in the age of globalization, such as inequality, aid, environment, health, education, and migration.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to
· Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of “social development” and the role of United Nations Millennium Development Goals in shaping social development in a globalized world
· Analyse social issues in the global and local context and apply such knowledge work with diverse families and communities locally or internationally
· Critically examine the role of human rights in constraining, or advancing, social development
· Research into key social development issues confronting individuals, families, and communities in contemporary societies
· Explore the role of social advertisement and education in promoting social development in Africa and/or around the world
Course content
· Introduction to social theories of development and their relevance
· Women and family in social change; family cycles, changing roles, modern trends
· Education and development; relevance, cost of education and employment and social class and elitism.
· Theorizing Development
· Modernization Theory
· Urbanisation and industrialization in developing countries
· Rural Development: problems and strategies.
· Concepts and strategies of integrated development: social planning; resources, objectives, structures and institutions and implementation;
· Social indicators: identification, construction and problems as well as Social change and development–trends in the 20th century.
· United Nations Millennium Development Goals; Sustainable Development Goals in shaping social development in a globalized world
Required Reading Materials
· Haslam, P., Schafer, J., &Beaudet, P. (2012). Introduction to International Development: Approaches, Actors, and Issues(2nd ed.). Ontario: Oxford University Press.
· Shaffer, D.R. (2009). Social and Personality Development (6thed.).Belmont: Wadsworth.
Course Description
Mass Communication and journalistic messages are potent tools for achieving diverse effects in audiences. On daily basis, audiences are bombarded with countless messages, which affect their psyche, emotions, behaviour and shape attitude. Consequently, the course is designed to enlighten students on elements of the mass communication process; various masscommunication models; nature of audiences and how they react to messages. The course equips students with skills and knowledge needed in communicating with large audiences as well as arms them with theories, concepts and principles that will help nurture them into effective communicators.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students should be able to
Demonstrate an understanding of the communication process
Conduct analyses on each of the elements of communication process
Discuss the various models of communication process
Explain how mass communication tools could be harnessed for results
Analyse the characteristics of audience and their impact on message effects
Discuss the future of mass media
Course Content
The Nature and function of Mass Communication Systems
The Print Media
The Electronic Media
Special Mass Media Professions
Regulation of the Mass Media
Mass Media Audiences
The Social Impact of Mass Communication
Mass Communication and the Future
Required Reading Materials
Dominick, J. R. (2010). The Dynamics of Mass Communication (11thed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
McQuail, Dennis. (2010).McQuail’s Mass Communication Theory (6th ed).London: Sage Publications.
Optional Reading Material
Berner, R. T. & Demers, D. (2007). Fundamentals of Journalism: Reporting, Writing and Editing (Paperback ed.). US: Marquette Books.
Course Description
For aspiring journalists and writers, the first step is to understand the basic principles and techniques of news writing and reporting. This is an introductory level journalism course designed primarily for the print media. Material covered applies to print. Students will learn fundamental principles and techniques of journalistic reporting and writing, including story components, structure, origination and forms. Skill acquired would also include accurately detecting problems in style, attribution, grammar, spelling, news judgment, fairness, storytelling, and writing effectively under time constraints.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students should be able to
Demonstrate basic reporting skills
Write good news stories worthy of publication
Exhibit mastery of the art of interviewing
Demonstrate considerable knowledge of the techniques for writing good features
Demonstrate an understanding of role of research news writing
Explain the workings of the newsroom
Course content
Introduction to journalism
What is news and types of news
News sources and news gathering
Writing the copy
The Interview
Basic story research techniques on the Internet; journalism and social media
Newsroom organisation; roles of major players
Editing and its techniques
Required 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. (5th ed.). USA: Houghton Mifflin College.
Optional Reading Materials
Kamath, M. V. (2009). The Journalist’s Handbook. India: Vikas Publishing House Ltd.