BJL2106: MASS MEDIA AND SOCIETY

Contact hours: 42

Pre-requisites: History of mass communication, communication and culture

Purpose: The course helps learners to appreciate and recognize emerging issues in society and how to
effectively report and present them.

Expected Learning Outcomes of the Course

By the end of the course unit the learners should be able to:-
a) Explain technological development and how this has attracted media consumer choices.
b) Discuss how to analyze emerging issues in relation to Media.
c) State how Media practitioners cover controversial issues media and society
d) Discuss effects of media on consumer choice

Course Outline
WEEK TOPIC SUB TOPIC
Week 1 Society and the mass media  Mass media's role in society
Week 2 Values and mass Media  Values and mass Media
Week 3 Television Audiences  Television and children
Week 4 Gender and the media  Gender representation in media and newspapers and
minorities
Week 5 Media regulation CAT 1  Media regulation;
Week 6 Internet regulation  Internet Access regulations- rating in media and
internet
Week 7 Media Business  Media Business: media monopolies, should the
internet facilitate a free exchange of information to the
public
Week 8 Privacy in the information age  The information society: privacy in the information
age, internet and culture
Week 9 Media ethics CAT 2  Reporting on rape victims,
Week 10 Media ethics  Media ethics; advertising of different products and
ethicality of advertising,
Week 11 Press Associations  Press Association : The role of press Association in
the Africa and the world
Week 12 Media globalization.  Media in a globalized society
Week 13&14 EXAMS
Teaching / Learning Methodologies: Lectures and tutorials, Group discussion, Demonstration, Individual
assignment, newspapers, Television and Radio
Instructional Materials and Equipment: Text books, Newspapers, Television and Radio, magazines,
Simulators
Course Assessment: Examination - 70%; Continuous Assessment Test 20%; Assignments - 10%; Total -
100%
Recommended Text Books
 Alison Alexander and Jarice Hanson 2004 Taking sides-clashing views on controversial issues in mass
media and society sixth edition by -Masiraw-Hill/Dushkin
 CampBell, R. (2003) (3rd Edition) media and culture, Boston Bedford/St.Matins.
 James Wilson et al (2002) Mass Media Mass Culture, McGraw Hill, New York
 John Vivian 2003 The media of mass communication 8th edition,Winiwa state University.
Further textbooks;
 Edwin Emery,Philip H Anit and warren K. Agee. 2003, Introduction to mass communication, 3rd edition
McGraw