(c) Curriculum for B.A. Degree in Linguistics and Communication Studies
100 Level Harmattan Semester
Course Course Title Units Status Code
LIN 101 Language and Linguistics 3 C
LIN 103 Introduction to Phonetics 2 C
CMS 101 Int. to Human 2 C
Communication System
CMS 103 Introduction to the Study of Writing 2 C
GNS 101 Use of English (1) 2 R
CIT 111 Introduction to Information and Communication 2 R Technology
Internal Elective (Linguistics)
Two units 2 E
Internal Elective (Communication)
Two units 2 E
External Electives (I) 2 E
Two Units
External Elective (II) 2 E
One 2-Unit Course Within College of Humanities & Culture.
Total 21
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100 Level Rain Semester
Course Code Course Title U Status
LIN 102 Basic Concepts in Grammar 3 C
LIN 106 Language in Society 3 C
CMS 102 History of Nigerian Mass Media 3 C
CMS 104 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 2 C
GNS 102 Use of English (II) 2 R
Internal Elective (Linguistics)
One 2-Unit Elective Course 2 E
Internal Elective (Communication) 4 E
Two 2- Unit courses
CIT 112 Introduction to Computer Programming 2 R
Total 21
200 Level Harmattan Semester
Course Course Title Units Status Code
LIN 201 Basic Grammar 2 C
LIN 203 The Production of Speech 2 C
CMS 201 Investigative Reporting 2 C
CMS 211 Radio and Television Broadcast 2 C
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FRN 221 Basic French 2 R
GNS 201 Nigerian Peoples and Culture 2 R
Internal Elective (Linguistics) 4 E
Four units
Internal Elective (Communication)
Four units 4 E
TOTAL 20
200 Level Rain Semester
Course Course Title Units Status Code
LIN 204 Basic Phonological Analysis 2 C
LIN 208 Introduction to Sociolinguistics 2 C
CMS 202 Writing for Specific Purposes 2 C
CMS 216 Studies in Theories of Communication 2 C
FRN 222 French for Specific Purposes 2 R
GNS 202 Osun Peoples and Culture 2 R
Internal Elective (Linguistics)
Four units 4 E
Internal Elective (Communication) 4 E
Four units
Total 20
159
300 Level Harmattan Semester
Course Course Title Units Status Code
LIN 301 Semantics 1 2 C
LIN 303 Transformational Grammar I 2 C
LIN 305 Principles of Morphemic Analysis 2 C
CMS Media Laws 3 C 303
CMS Technical Report Writing and Presentation 2 C 309
GNS Entrepreneurial Skills Development and Practice 2 R 301
Internal Elective (Linguistics) 4 E
Two 2-Unit Elective Courses
Internal Elective (Communication) 4 E
Four units
Total 21
300 Level Rain Semester
Course Course Title Units Status Code
LIN 302 Semantics II 2 C
LIN 304 Transformational Grammar II 3 C
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LIN 306 Phonology 3 C
LIN310 Phonetics 3 C
CMS 318 Health Communication 2 C
CMS304 Media Ethics 2 C
CMS Research Methods in Communication 3 C 312
GNS 302 Introduction to Logic and Philosophy 2 R
Internal Elective (Communication) 2 E
Two units
Total 22
400 Level Harmattan Semester
Course Code Course Title Units Status LIN 401 Transformational Grammar III 3 R LIN 403 Generative Phonology 3 R CMS 411 Media Management and Administration 2 R CMS 409 Gender Issues in Communication Studies 2 R CMS 498 Project I 3 C Internal Elective (Linguistics)
Four units 4 E
Internal Elective (Communication) 4
Four units E
Total 21
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400 Level Rain Semester
Course Course Title Units Status Code
LIN 402 Government and Biding Theory 3 R
CMS 404 Development Communication 3 R
CMS 499 Project II 3 C
Internal Elective (Linguistics)
Four units 4 E
Internal Elective (Communication)
Four units 4 E
LIN 499 or Project 3 C
CMS 499
Total 20
COURSE DESCRIPTION
LINGUISTICS COURSES
LIN 101 Languages and Linguistics: (3 Units)
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The way linguists look at language, including animal communication and human language; the arbitrary but patterned nature of language, objective versus subjective attitudes to language: aims of linguistics and outline of its subject-matter, descriptive, comparative, historical and applied. Uses of linguistics in traditional fields as well as speech pathology and other areas of special education.
LIN 102 Basic Concepts in Grammar: (3 Units)
The basic idea of grammar, its division into syntax and morphology and an examination of some common myths and misconceptions about grammar. The principal units of grammatical description: sentence, clause, phrase, word and morpheme. The functional character of basic concepts in grammar such as subject, predicate, object, topic, comment, given, new, adjunct, etc., with ample illustration from English and Nigerian and other languages.
LIN 103 Introduction to Phonetics: (2 Units)
The subject matter of phonetics. Introduction to phonetics, organs of speech and airstreams processes; classification and description of sounds (with exemplification from English and Nigerian languages). Drills and practical exercise including transcription will complement lectures.
LIN 104 Languages of Nigeria: (3 Units)
Principles of language identification. A close study of the Stanford, Bendor-Samuel and Crozier et al indexes of Nigerian languages. Nigerian languages with reference to their geographical distribution / genetic relationship, size, status and role. Exercises in the identification of languages will complete the theory.
LIN 105 Language Use and Language Attitudes: (2 Units)
Domains of language use e.g. administration, education, law-making, religion, entertainment, etc., particularly with reference to Nigeria. Role of language in the different communities and attitudes to own languages and other people’s language.
Consequences of language attitudes. Methodological approaches to attitudinal measurement. Concepts of purism, linguistic tolerance, and linguistic imperialism. Language preferences and reasons for them.
LIN 106 Language in Society: (3 Units)
The course gives introduction to what language is and how it varies and emphasizes on its use for communication in a speech community; relationship between language and society; the general view of language in society where languages (indigenous 163
and foreign) have contact. Topics such as language and socialization, language and culture, language and context, competence and performance that have theoretical relevance would also be discussed.
LIN 107 Introduction To Yoruba Life and Custom: (2 Units)
An introduction to Yoruba economic system, the distribution of Yoruba people in West Africa and Diaspora. The study of Yoruba world view
LIN 108 Use of Yoruba: (2 Units)
This course exposes the students to the speaking and writing of the standard varieties of Yoruba language effectively. The course will involve such areas as the latest version of Yoruba orthography, trends in modern spoken Yoruba, idiomatic expressions, comprehension exercises, and original composition on selected topics, practical assignments to promote and evaluate student’s use of the Yoruba language.
LIN 109 Language and Mind: (2 Units)
General introduction to what languages are like, how they are used and how they vary, focusing on how language is learned and produced. Some questions that will be addressed include: Is language innate? Is it unique to humans? How is language related to thought or to culture? How is language represented in the brain? How is language acquired in different cultures and different circumstances?
LIN 201 Basic Grammar: (2 Units)
Principles of morphological analysis; Word classes (part of speech) and other grammatical units as basic categories in grammar including tense and aspects, number, person, mood and gender. Relations within a simple sentence: relations within compound and complex sentences and relations between sentences. Constituent structure and an examination of basic concepts in a phrase structure grammar.
LIN 202 Writing and Orthography: (2 Units)
The basic principles on which a good orthography is based, with special reference to Nigerian languages. Students will apply the principles to their own languages in practical exercises. Some time will be devoted to the comparison and harmonization of orthographies.
LIN 203 The Production of Speech: (2 Units)
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The different processes in the mechanism of speech production. The emphasis is on the more common sounds produced with the various airstreams. It touches on sounds in context–syllables, assimilation and elision, and ends with a definition of tone and intonation. Elementary aspects of transcription will be introduced.
LIN 204: Basic Phonological Analysis: (2 Units)
The concepts of contrast, free variation, and complementary distribution. The role of phonetic similarity in phonemic analysis. Natural Versus unnatural statements of distribution. Phonetic versus phonemic transcription. Practical analysis will form a major aspect.
LIN 205 Introduction to Applied Linguistics: (2 Units)
A study of language in relation to its importance in language planning and policy, speech therapy, second language acquisition, language in education, and communicative competence.
LIN 206 Practical Phonetics: ( 2 Units)
Ear training and performance to accompany LIN 204. The use of articulatory diagrams. Use of tape recorders. Introduction to instruments. Drawing of the vocal tract. The course includes an introduction to the phonetics laboratory. It ends with ear training in the identification of pitch levels.
LIN 207 The Linguistic Situation in Nigeria: (2 Units)
The languages situation in Nigeria: the variety of Nigerian languages and their classification, multilingualism and the role of lingua francas, including Hausa and other Nigerian languages, Pidgin, and English; languages of choice in education and religions; language planning. Outline history of the development of major and other named Nigerian languages.
LIN 208 Introduction to Sociolinguistics: (2 Units)
The scope of sociolinguistics: the social context of speech; bilingualism, the context of its development; diglossia, code-switching and code-mixing; language and social class: language and ethnicity; principles of language choice; language maintenance and shift processes; language and social change.
LIN 209 Introduction to Language Classification: (2 Units)
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An introduction to similarities in languages of the world; exemplification of linguistic similarities in sound in lexical items, and in grammar; types of classification; and the use of regular sound correspondences in genetic classification. The course includes a practical exemplification of concepts such as proto-language; daughter; family tree; cognates, etc.
LIN 301 Semantics I: (2 Units)
This course provides an introduction to the meaning, history and scope of Semantics, Semantic features, Semantic roles, sense relations, and meaning relations at sentence level.
LIN 302 Semantics (2 Units)
This is a follow up to LIN 301. However, this course provides a detailed study on the role of syntax and other factors such as prosodic and para-linguistic features, given and new, topic and comments, pragmatics, roles of beliefs and attitudes, setting, discourse, conversational maxims, speech act theories, implicatures, etc., that have implications on meaning.
LIN 303 Transformational Grammar I: (2 Units)
The construction of a formal and explicit or phrase structure grammar with emphasis on constituent structure rules, lexical rules and terminal/non-terminal symbols and strings, etc., a detailed discussion and practical demonstration (using tree diagrams in particular) of basic concepts in transformational grammar e.g. embedding, recursion, functional notions of (e.g. ‘subject, object, predicate, main verb), the notions of domination (including immediate domination, exhaustive domination) and precedence as well as other relations between nodes (e.g. ‘Mother of/ left or right sister of’).
LIN 304 Transformational Grammar II: (3 Units)
An examination of the underlying principles and assumptions of transformational generative grammar and its evolution, emphasizing what sets this approach to grammar apart from its predecessor. The aim is to familiarize students with how
transformational grammar works with ample illustrations from English, Nigerian and other and African languages with a view to preparing them towards providing a simple account of the grammar of particular languages.
LIN 305 Morphology Principles of Morphemic Analysis: (2 Units)
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A detailed discussion of the various morphological processes in language and the interplay between such processes in the formation of complex words using copious examples.
LIN 306 Phonology: (3 Units)
Problems in phonological interpretation, and types of arguments for different solutions. Tonal analysis, the use of tone in languages and its distinction from intonation; tonemic analysis and tone marking; types of tone system. Analysis of suprasegmentals must complement the segmental.
LIN 307 Principle of Transcription: (2 Units)
The principle of the different kinds of transcription: phonetic (with its sub-types) and phonemic. The relationship between these and the practice of orthography. It ends with the application of these principles to tone. Practical exercises in a selected language should form a major part of this course. It ends with an application of the theory to English and other European languages.
LIN 308 Field Methods and Phonological Analysis: (2 Units)
Field methods in linguistics with special reference to data collection, using word lists. Eliciting data related directly to areas of phonological interest such as noun classes, vowel harmony, etc., application of the theory and techniques of phonemic and tonemic analysis to the data thus collected limited to phonological research in a Nigerian language. Elementary morphology and the identification of longer structures in African languages will round up the course.
LIN 309 Tone System: (2 Units)
Types of tone system found in Africa. In Particular, discrete level systems, terraced level systems. Considerable attention should be given to down drift and down step. A typical system should be discussed in details in respect of one of the types of system introduced. The students should be introduced to typical problems of tonal analysis, especially in the system introduced.
LIN 310 Phonetics: (3 Units)
An expansion of the scope of LIN 206 based on a more elaborate model of communication. The course provides an outline of speech mechanisms, the action of the glottis (aspiration, pitch, and phonation types), airstreams mechanism, manner and place of consonant articulations, parameters for vowels, and the acoustic- 167
auditory nature of vowels. It will also provide an introduction to acoustic phonetics, and an introduction to simple experimental techniques for investigating sounds. The two parts much be given equal weight.
LIN 311 Study of an African Language: (2 Units)
A study in some detail of major points of phonetic, phonological, and morphological interest in one of the most widely-spoken of African languages (including some practical phonetic investigation).
LIN 312 Practical Phonetics II : (2 Units)
Practical classes to improve performance, (ability to imitate and reproduce sounds) and ear training (ability to hear and transcribe faithfully). Emphasis will be on ear training in tone, using both recorded and live informants. Each stage should be introduced with an examination of the articulatory basics of the sounds being practiced.
LIN 313 Language Families of Africa: (2 Units)
The principles on which classification comparison, and reconstruction are based, leading to an account of the membership and sub-division of the languages phyla represented on the African continent, with some account of genetic and aerial characteristics. The course includes practical exercise in languages identification and classification.
LIN 314 The Classification of African Languages: (2 Units)
The history of the classification of African languages from the early beginning down to the latest developments (since Greenberg). It ends with a short project.
LIN 315 Dialectology: (2 Units)
The ways in which language varieties may differ and the methods and concepts used in dialect investigation. It includes at least a practical case study.
LIN 316 Linguistics and History: (2 Units)
The methods and results of linguistics which are of importance for the reconstruction of cultural history, lexicostatistic; the study of language distribution; linguistic borrowing, the vocabulary of trade routes, number systems, crops. It ends with a short project on the history of a group, based on their language.
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LIN 317 Grammatical Features of African Language: (2 Units)
The features which are particularly characteristics of groups of African languages, such as noun-class systems, pronoun systems, serial verb constructions and verbal extensions. Practical exercises will be major part of the course.
LIN 318 Structure of an African Language: (2 Units)
A linguistic study of an African language to be presented to the class in a systematic form partly as a practical example of linguistic principles already learnt and partly as an example of a description of that language. The course goes beyond existing analyses of the chosen language.
LIN 319 Pidgin and Creole Languages: (2 Units)
The nature and development of Pidgin and Creole languages, including those based on African languages. Social attitudes towards Pidgins and Creoles. Status of Pidgins and Creoles in selected African countries. The growing and changing role of Pidgin in Nigeria.
LIN 320 Conversational Discourse: (2 Units)
Discourse organization underlying surface cohesion in discourse. Principles of well- formedness in discourse, narrative structures, interactional roles, speech act theory, speech variation and operation of discourse theory in Nigerian languages and culture.
LIN 321 Multilingualism and Language Planning: (2 Units)
Aspects and types of bilingualism, multilingualism and types of language policy decisions; factors that influence or determine language policy. Language planning theory, prescriptive versus descriptive linguistics, language planning as an index of nationalism, language problems and language treatment; language choice including language in education, standardization and development, implementation and evaluation in language planning. Case studies.
LIN 322 Intro. to Field Methods in Sociolinguistics: (2 Units)
The design of sociolinguistic investigations; sampling proceedings. The questionnaire and alternative methods, evaluation and analysis involving the use of such elementary statistics as are used in social science research in consultation with
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course lecturer. Participants will have to work out, investigate and report on simple but specific sociolinguistics projects of interest themselves.
LIN 323 Ethnography of Communication: (2 Units)
The concept, scope and approaches to ethnography of speaking or ethnography of communication. Consideration of concepts like speech community, situation, event, act, etc., dichotomy between linguistic competence and communicative competence, illustration from Nigerian languages of communicative strategies; politeness, verbal indirection, proverb, linguistics taboo, speech play, etc. Sapir/Whorf Hypothesis, ethno methodology and ethnographical studies of specific speech communities in Nigeria.
LIN 324 Translations and Lexicography: (2 Units)
Linguistic theories of translation. Translation and interpreta-tion. Concept formation and technical translation. Monolingual and Bilingual dictionaries. Lexicography and dictionary-making. Grammatical, phonological and semantic content of the dictionary. Bilingual translation; critical examination of bilingual dictionaries presently in use in Nigeria.
LIN 325 Language in Education: (2 Units)
Theoretical consideration of the roles of foreign and indigenous (including the minor) languages at different levels of education. Considerations for language choice in education in different communities. A close study of the language provisions in the National Policy on Education. Case studies of the background, planning, execution and evaluations of the Ife University experiment in Six-Year Primary Education in the Yoruba medium, and of the Rivers State Readers Project. Study of experiments in bilingual education.
LIN 326 Contrastive Linguistics and Error-analysis: (2 Units)
Contrastive analyses on different models. Application of contrastive linguistics of language teaching and error analysis. Detailed study of the interference phenomena: English and specific Nigerian languages. Theories and types of language teaching materials.
LIN 327 Forensic Linguistics I: (2 Units)
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This course provides a general introduction to the study of language and the law. The course will provide an insight into the subject matters of forensic linguistics, its historical background, the nature of legal language and linguistic evidence, authorship and statement, forensic speaker identification and the concept of power and power hierarchy in courtrooms.
LIN 328 Forensic Linguistics II: (2 Units)
This is a follow up to LIN 327. The course looks at the nature and types of courts in Nigeria, courtroom procedure, policing, legal interpreting and courtroom discourse, etc.
LIN 329 Introduction to Psycho-linguistics: (2 Units)
Mechanism of communication leading on to a comparison of human and non-human communication. Approaches to the study of language acquisition and language behaviour. In particular, the positions of theorist such as Piaget, Stern, Vygotsy, and Skinner will be examined. Also to be examined are the linguistics approach, learning theory approach, and information theory approach to language behaviour. Language and cognition: the Whorfian hypothesis and related matters.
LIN 330 Literacy in Language and Society: (2 Units)
This course explores the diverse features and historical development of writing systems, the role of writing in language development and second language acquisition, and economic contexts of literacy in society.
LIN 331 Intro. to Translation & Interpretation: (2 Units)
Aims to identify and discuss basic concepts and problems of the area of Translation Studies. Provides an opportunity for an in-depth and hands-on study of many areas of applied linguistics (e.g. semantics, pragmatics, sociolinguistics, and others) in the context of interlingua and intercultural transfer of meaning. Students are introduced to the concept of linguistic signs common to most language pairs.
LIN 401 Transformational Grammar III: (3 Units)
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X-Bar Theory of Phrase Structure rules with particular reference to the following: its conceptual machinery, mechanics and evolution; the structure of phrases (e.g. Noun Phrase, Verb Phrase, Adjectival Phrase, Prepositional Phrase, etc) and clauses, constraining generalizing and eliminating categorical rules, etc., based on data from English as well as Nigerian and other African languages. Copious exercises will round up the course.
LIN 402 Government and Binding Theory: (3 Units)
To introduce GB Theory in a simple but precise and systematic fashion; to discuss the main sub-theories in GB and highlight some cases where they interact. The relevant areas to be covered include: X-bar theory. The Specified Subject Condition (SSC) C-Command. The Tensed Sentence Condition (TSC) Binding Theory; the θ- Criterion, Control Theory, the Projection Principle, Case Theory, The Concept of Government and Binding Theory.
LIN 403 Generative Phonology: (3 Units)
The theory of distinctive and the main concepts of generative phonology. Particular attention is given to the treatment of general phonological processes within a generative framework. It ends with an introduction to non-linear phonology, dealing mainly with the case for non-linearity.
LIN 405 Language Acquisitions & Second Language Learning: (3 Units)
Study of mother tongue and second language learning processes, the adult versus child success in second language learning, analogy and the interference theory, a socio-psychological mechanisms in language relearning. A substantial part of the course will be devoted to examining case studies, different kinds of data and language testing methods.
LIN 406 The Sociolinguistic Situation in Africa: (2 Units)
Standardization and the role of dominant indigenous languages of Africa e.g. Swahili, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Ewe, Somali, etc., in their states or over sub-regions of Africa. History of the implantation, present status and uses of European languages in Africa.
LIN 407 Seminar: Language Maintenance and Revitaliza-tion: (3 Units)
This course provides a general introduction to the theoretical foundations of endangered language revitalization in Nigeria and provides a background on the
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practical and political implications on community and language development to data collection and analysis.
LIN 408 Understanding the Intercultural Experience: (2 Units)
This course focuses on intercultural learning. It is designed in particular for those individuals who intend to become professional language educators but is also suitable for those with a broad interest in issues of culture learning.
LIN 498 Long Essay I: (3 Units)
Application of linguistic principles to a piece of practical work on a Nigerian language resulting in a Long Essay.
LIN 499 Long Essay II: (3 Units)
Application of linguistic principles to a piece of practical work on a Nigerian language resulting in a Long Essay.
COMMUNICATON STUDIES COURSES
CMS 101 Introduction to Human Communication Systems 3 Units
This course introduces students to the basic systems of human communication. It also examines Mass Communication as a sub-type of human communication—its evolution, characteristics, functions, content, operation, impacts; process and models of communication and communication across borders.
CMS 102 History of Nigeria Mass Media 2 Units
This course examines major trends in the development of mass media in Nigeria from Iwe Irohin (1959) to the present mass media adaptations. It also examines the impacts of these developments on the Nigerian social, political, religious, economic and total cultural milieu and milestones in mass media in Nigeria.
CMS 103 Introduction to the Study of Writing 2 Units This course introduces students to the essential skills for effective writing. Theoretical instruction will be supplemented with ample exercises designed to improve the students writing competence in English.
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CMS 104 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 2 Units This course proposes an interdisciplinary approach to speech communication. It focuses on the study of the structure of speech interaction in relation to participants, situation and communication functions as well as on the concepts of speech as a core skill in reading, writing and spelling. CMS 105 Introduction to Broadcasting 2 Units This course introduces students to specificities of the broadcast media, and the principles of broadcasting.
CMS 106 Writing for the Mass Media 2 Units Introductory instruction and practice in writing for various media types, vis newspapers, magazine, radio, television; with major emphasis on the development of the journalistic styles and corresponding proficiency.
CMS 107 Indigenous African Communication Systems I 2 Units An introduction to the nature and structure of indigenous systems of communication in Nigeria, with particular reference to their infrastructure, cultural bases, historical developments and regional characteristics.
CMS 108 Indigenous African Communication Systems II 2 Units A study of the varieties of verbal and non-verbal forms and the nature of the non- verbal arts. The introduction and evolution of writing and the African adoptions of the new communication media.
CMS 110 Business Communication Methods 2 Units
The course emphasizes the principles and techniques of written communication in business and administrative domains. This includes the styles of types of letters, memos, report, queries, good will letters etc. This will take into cognisance the administrative psychology for the preparation and presentation of each.
CMS 201 Introduction to Investigative Reporting 2 Units
This course introduces the student to the art of questioning and searching for details in crisis or confusing atmosphere. Students are taught the techniques to unravel knotty issues such as crimes, reports etc. whose originators seem difficult to prove. Students are also guided to, based on their ability to interpret data, produce valid findings after they have been taught the rudiments of data interpretation.
CMS 202 Writing for Specific Purposes 2 Units
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Provides theoretical knowledge and practical training in context-specific writing. It also includes writing for children, speech writing, etc. CMS 203 Principles and Practice of Marketing 2 Units This course introduces students to Marketing as a form of human communication. Emphasis will be placed on the concepts and strategies of the major marketing mix variables. Practical exercises will be used to reinforce theoretical instruction.
CMS 204 News Writing and Reporting 2 Units This course deals with the nature of news as well as newsgathering principles and techniques. It also deals with the elements of news writing for both the print and the broadcast media.
CMS 205 Principles of Advertising 2 Units
This course introduces students to the roles and processes of advertising. Emphasis is placed on planning the advertising message as a paid form of non-personal communication about an organization and / or its products.
CMS 206 Principles of Public Relations 2 Units This course introduces students to the basic concepts and theories underlying public relations practice. It examines the role that public relations plays in the society, such as in business and industry, government and health care services, media houses and voluntary organizations.
CMS 207 Radio and Television Broadcast 2 Units Practical teaching on presentation of broadcast programme, on voicing and nature of speech, handling of microphones, appearance before cameras and styles of presentation within and outside the studio.
CMS 208 Introduction to Book Publishing 2 Units Students are introduced to different stages involved in publishing a book, from manuscript acquisition to editorial functions and approving a text for press. Different departments in a book-publishing house are also made known to students.
CMS 209 Studies in Photo Journalism 2 Units
This course introduces the student to the various approaches to taking news photographs. The students are also exposed to the method and maintenance of still image cameras, basic camera and darkroom strategies, photographic processes, and aesthetic photo reporting.
CMS 210 Feature Writing 2 Units 175
An analysis of factual events prepared for publication in newspapers, general and specialized magazines/ journals. Special attention will be paid to subject research/investigation while gathering materials for feature stories. Various types of feature stories will be examined and students will be encouraged to write feature articles suitable for publication.
CMS 211 Academic Writing 2 Units
This course is designed to expose the students to different disciplinary discourses – disciplinary vocabularies; style and rhetorical moves of various disciplinary genres; conventional patterns and formats. The course will equip students with the necessary skills to write effectively in domains such as the social sciences, humanities, law, natural and applied sciences, etc.
CMS 213 Data Collection and Analysis 2 Units A practical course on field techniques in communication, data collection and the exercise of public relations skills in eliciting information. The field work is done during the mid-season vacation.
CMS 216 Studies in Theories of Communication 2 Units
This is a discussion and synthesis of major theories of Mass Communication. It will discuss the inter-relationship between theory and research and the significance of the theory of communication.
CMS 301 Writing for Academic Purposes 2 Units This course focuses on the writing of academic reports. It involves a study of all the technical parts of research reports such as the thesis statement, bibliographies, reference styles and other appropriate scholarly writings involving term paper and project writing.
CMS 302 Situational Public Speaking 2 Units In this course, the forms and styles of speech appropriate in various occasions will be theoretically discussed and practically developed. Many speeches (written or recorded for various occasions) particularly those which illustrates how to persuade, inspire, entertain an audience, commemorate events, or contribute effectively to public debates, will be critically reviewed. CMS 303 Media Law 3 Units This course introduces the students to Nigerian laws regarding defamation (libel and slander), contempt of court, sedition and libel. References will be made to selected cases that have been held in Nigeria in relation to media law.
CMS 304 Media Ethics 2 Units 176
This is an overview of the professional laws and ethics in the print and broadcast media. It will examine copyright/piracy issues, prohibited contents of the mass media and other important broadcast/ media ethics which may bring trouble to media practitioners, establishments as well as recording companies and performing artistes.
CMS 305 Editing and Graphics of Communication 2 Units This course gives an introduction to editing of texts, newspapers and magazines. Emphasis will be on the use of tools of scholarly writing and research and technical preparation of texts. Moreover, the course will also consider the principles and practice of visual presentation involving words and illustrations as well as the basic elements of print media typography, layout and make up.
CMS 306 Interpersonal Communication 2 Units A study of the nature and the latest theories of human speech interaction, and an extended analysis of the variables that impinge upon this process. Consideration of the principal outcomes of interpersonal communication.
CMS 307 Cross-cultural Communication 2 Units This course is designed to provide an insight into cultural contrast as manifested in communication. It utilizes differing models all of which project time and space as exhibitors of cultural differences and similarities. In essence, it is concerned with analysis of what happens to given cultural variables as we move from one culture to another and as exponents of different cultures interact.
CMS 308 Applied Communication 2 Units This is a study of the extent to which language and Communication could be applied in the solution of current educational, political, social, environmental, religious, agricultural, interpersonal and international problems.
CMS 309 Technical Report Writing and Presentation 2 Units This is a survey of the principles and aspects of good technical report writing, with appropriate illustrations from a variety of technical reports such as academic report, proposals, memos, etc.
CMS 310 Organization and Management of Public Relations and Advertising Agencies 2 Units This course examines the guidelines for establishing and managing public relations and advertising agencies.
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CMS 311 Consumer Behaviour 2 Units
This course examines different types of consumers, their psychographics and demographics why consumers buy what they buy, issues that inform patterns of consumers purchase pattern and behaviour including motivation, learning, attitudes, beliefs will also be taught. Situational and cultural imparts on purchase pattern will be examined too.
CMS 312 Research Methods in Communication 3 Units A study of the methods of collecting and analyzing data involving the use of such elementary statistics as are used in the social science research. CMS 313 Computer Textual and Discourse Analysis 2 Units
This course introduces students to the use of computers in text-base communication and computer-mediated discourse analysis, with applications in literary analysis and stylistics, critical discourse analysis, linguistic/language data mining, etc.
CMS 314 Issues in Medical Communication 2 Units
This course focuses on verbal and nonverbal interactions in the hospital context. It discusses intricacies in doctor-patient interactions as well as other issues relating to the pragmatics of rapport making in medical discourse.
CMS 315 Screen Writing 2 Units This is a creative writing course on the composition, editing and production of texts for film, television and home videos.
CMS 315 Sociology of Communication 2 Units The course will examine the mass media as social institutions with particular attention to pertinent sociological concepts, themes and problems, the role and relationship of the mass media in respect to major social institutions. The major concern is to draw the attention of students to the sociology and professionalism of mass media and to show how communication can play a key role in development.
CMS 316 On-line Journalism 2 Units This course is designed as a practical skill-based project that will teach the students how to write and produce for the online media. The various online newspapers in Nigeria shall be examined as well as some other international online publications. Other online genres such as web-casting, audio-visual streaming, online radio, etc. are expected to be taught.
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CMS 318 Health Communication 2 Units This course investigates the various health related issues and how the media should handle them. The aim is to enhance the student capability in the application of theories and strategies of communication in creating awareness on health related issues. The course will focus on the role and strategy of the media in communicating health and related issues. The interface between e-health, telemedicine, new media and related communication theories and research strategies will also be focussed.
CMS 401 Organizational Communication 2 Units
This course deals with communication types and information flow in business/organizations. It focuses attention on the nature of organizations.
CMS 402 Print Media Production Technique
This is an overview of the various aspects of the print media (especially newspapers and magazines), their content and the process of editorial production. There will be an analysis of the various components and the basis for selection. The end product will be a complete specimen of a chosen print medium or specimens of chosen print media.
CMS 403 Rhetorics of Social Mobilization 2 Units
A survey of the theories and principles underlying the rhetoric of social mobilization with a critical examination of samples of social mobilization speeches in the Nigerian setting. CMS 404 Development Communication 3 Units
This course deals with the role of communication in the development process. Attention will be given to the role of mass media vis-à-vis interpersonal networks, as well as to multimedia and indigenous approaches to communication in the development process. The course will also focus on the dynamics of development and the communication variables that influence development.
CMS 405 Governmental Public Relations 2 Units
The course focuses attention on the role of public relations in politics in the three arms of government in a democratic state. It examines the difference between public relations and propaganda and discusses the role of the media houses in shaping public opinion about government officials and their image-making activities.
CMS 406 Broadcast Media Production Techniques 2 Units
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This is a practical course that exposes students to production techniques in Radio and TV. It involves the conceptualization, and development of the resulting concepts, from script to the screen or air, using appropriate broadcast media equipment.
CMS 407 Computer-Assisted Reporting and Research 2 Units
This course focuses on the application of computers and instrument of information and communication technology on newsgathering, news writing and news reporting. It examines the relevance of communication technology in today’s news reporting while focussing on the key areas of the print and broadcast media. CMS 408 Fundamentals of Book Editing 2 Units
Examines the major editorial functions: list building, copy-editing and production editing. It also delves into use of copyright material, illustrations, etc., editing and the language arts, introduction to indexing techniques.
CMS 409 Gender Issues in Communication Studies 2 Units
This is a discourse of gender and feminist theories and how these have tended to shapen both genders roles and interpretation in communication studies. The course will stress on gender images, interpretation of perceptions and implication to development.
CMS 411 Media Management and Administration 2 Units The course prepares the student towards taking up roles as manager of resources and finance in a media outfit. The students are exposed to the various management theories and how these can apply in a communication organisation.
CMS 412 Advance Writing in the Print Media 2 Units
The course focuses on the correlation functions of the media, including editorials, features, commentaries, new analysis, etc. It examines the purpose, form, style, and spirit of the editorial, type of editorials, and segments of the editorial. It provides practice in editorial and feature writing.
CMS 498 Project in Communication Studies I 3 Units
Students write final research report. This includes the concluding chapters 4 and 5 of the research report. These are data presentation and discussion, summary, conclusion, recommendation and references.
CMS 499 Project in Communication Studies II 3 Units
A research work on an approved topic in Communication Studies. Students write research proposal, including chapters 1 to 3. These include the research background, literature review and research method. All these are expected to have been perfected at this stage.
180