JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION Introduction Target Audience Program Duration Program Offerings Program Requirements Program Faculty Course Module Descriptions The globalization of media services is of immense importance to the future of most human endeavors. The extraordinary explosion of both technology and information, in ways that have considerably reduced our concepts of time and space has allowed information and communications technology to emerge as perhaps the most dominant force in contemporary human existence. With the success of the information revolution, we have experienced a major turning point in the realm of the media. Media systems, once primarily local or national in scope, have evolved almost overnight into a global media market. The rise to dominance of the global media is more than an economic matter; it also has clear implications for media content, politics, and culture. There are scores of governments and international organizations that have influence in the regulation of media and communication and with a great number of languages and cultures, establishing a global vision is a very difficult endeavor. However, with the emergence of a new breed of information technology professionals and media specialists, the trajectory is clearly toward vastly greater integration and leadership, and sustainable potentialities across the global community. TARGET AUDIENCE The Journalism and Communication Studies Program is designed to serve the needs of professionals involved with communications and media services, including the Internet. At this time, the program is uniquely targeted and delivered to serve undergraduate students in Ghana and neighboring African countries through affiliation with Ambassadors College. Communications and media professionals are welcome from newspapers, magazines, trade publications, radio, television, news services, and public relations publications and the new media of computer and Internet where they are involved in gathering, preparing, and communicating information and reporting, writing, editing, photographing, broadcasting or cable casting news items. Students in careers as editors, reporters, columnists, staff or freelance writer, correspondents, photojournalists, copy readers, news analysts, or public relations specialties are also encouraged to apply. It is assumed that students applying to this program will be familiar with standard theories and practices associated with media services. It is also assumed that students seeking admissions to this program will have demonstrated professional experience and expertise in this field of studies. PROGRAM DURATION The three levels of the diploma programs are completed in one academic year via intensive study and instruction. Successful students are awarded the certificate following completion of each level of study: Diploma Level 1, Diploma Level 2, and Advanced Diploma. The total of 36 semester credits from Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs are awarded. Return to Top PROGRAM OFFERINGS Diploma Level I: duration of 3 months – successful credits awarded 12 semester credits Diploma Level II: duration of 3 months – successful credits awarded 12 semester credits Advanced Diploma: duration of 3 months – successful credits awarded 12 semester credits PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS Diploma Level I (12 credits) Diploma Level II (12 credits) Advanced Diploma (12 credits) Course Module Descriptions Diploma Level I in Journalism and Communication Studies (12 credits) JCS 101: Broadcast Journalism (3 credits) JCS 102: Newspaper Reporting (3 credits) JCS 103 Media English (3 credits) JCS 104: Public Relations (3 credits) Diploma Level II in Journalism and Communication Studies (12 credits) JCS 111: Marketing Promotion and Communications (3 credits) JCS 112: Advertising (3 credits) JCS 113: Subediting (3 credits) JCS 114: Media Law and Ethics (3 credits) Advanced Diploma in Journalism and Communication Studies (12 credits) JCS 121: Freelance and Feature Writing (3 credits) JCS 122: Mass Communication (3 credits) JCS 123: Online Journalism (3 credits) JCS 124: Disc Jockey (3 credits) Return to Top PROGRAM FACULTY Peace Obeng, background in languages and public relations, instructing media English and Public Relations Henry Essel, background in marketing and advertising, instructing Marketing modules Isaac Bonzie, background in mass communication, instructing Mass Communication modules Emmanuel Blay, background as journalist, instructing Journalism modules Samuel Ross, background as journalist and radio professional, instructing Journalism modules Samuel Mesa, background as reporter, presenter and columnist, instructing Journalism Mass Communication modules Return to Top COURSE MODULE DESCRIPTIONS JCS 101: Broadcast Journalism (3 credits) The media which is regarded as the fourth estate of the realm has seen great and dynamic changes in the 20th century. Ghana which is currently regarded as the hub of democracy in Africa is at the moment thirsty with journalism professionals. This course encompasses different aspect of the journalism practice on both national and international circles. Participants will study news Gathering, writing for broadcast, interviewing, Radio presentation including BBC World service, television news, TV scriptwriting, compiling report, news studio, news and media. This course will be intermittently be strengthened by practical field work. JCS 102: Newspaper Reporting (3 credits) Newspaper reporting has been seen as one of the sharpest tools in influencing both radio and TV early morning discussions .Most people rely on morning shows for information before going to work. The art of reporting has become so crucial that one can hardly do without. Participants in this course will be studying what is Journalism, what is news, gathering news, interviewing, local reporting, news writing, newspaper language, news reporting, specialist writing, newspaper structure, ethics. Participants will undergo intermittent practical writing and newspaper gathering reports and analyses. Upon completion, participants would be able to work effectively in any media house as a news reporter or correspondent journalist. JCS 103 Media English ( 3 credits) English language, though the second language to Ghanaians is the official language used in Ghana. It is also considered as the first international language. Participants will be taught the correct usage of English, tenses, contextual interpretation of words, punctuations, proverbial and other essential English related issues that have the potential to affect the meaning of a particular news report. Participants will also undergo the training of the study of both British and American English and how they influence reader’s opinion and sales of news. For instance, the "President is mad" implying, the President is angry in the British context. Students will be taught Grammar, Vocabulary, Writing, Summary and Comprehension, Pronunciation among other subjects. JCS 104: Public Relations (3 credits) The inter-twinning nature of marketing, advert and public relations activities has found itself in the root of journalism. The office of Public Relations is so crucial to the activities of journalism. This course encompasses public relation tools, skills and the information liaison services a public relation practitioner goes through. Students will learn the skills used in gathering, keeping and releasing information, using public relation methods to correct bad/ negative image by customers on products/ services or even organizations. Students will learn apart from the topics above, the media ethics in public relations interventions, issuing press releases, organizing events, conducting public opinion among others. JCS 111: Marketing Promotion and Communications (3 credits) This course is about communication: a word derived from the Latin word ‘communis’, which means, ‘to have in common.’ This course seeks to explore the most effective means of communication and the best promotional methods that bring an effective customer feedback that will help the firm have a competitive advantage in the market. Topics to be learnt include: Introduction to Communication, Role of Promotion, Communication Process model, Above and Below the Line Promotions, Push and Pull Promotions, Advertising, Public Relations, Sponsorship, Direct Marketing Concept, Internal Marketing Concept, Exhibitions, Sales Promotions, Personal Selling, Internet. JCS 112: Advertising (3 credits) In this dispensation of free movement of goods and services, most corporate bodies need to resort to very intensive and aggressive advertising practices. In this regard it has become necessary for students of this program to be equipped with sharp cutting tool of advertising and promotion. Nevertheless, one of the core and fundamental sources of any TV/Radio station’s income is the commercials it run. The calculation of rate cards and the outsourcing of adverts both local and international are some of the issues that students will be reviewing. JCS 113: Subediting (3 credits) Subediting, as an aspect of journalism and mass communication is one of the core fibres in information management. This course deals with how information is processed before reaching the final consumer. Participant will undergo topics such as the role of the sub-editor, structure of effective news story, subediting for news papers magazines and TV, headlines, leading news and breaking news, journalist media law, news layout and design principles, sub-checking the files, planning for publication or broadcast, on-line, subediting, final copy, and hot copy. JCS 114: Media Law and Ethics (3 credits) The study of law has become so crucial not only to the legal practitioners but to the field of professional academia. This has precipitated the study of media law. Participant of this course will acquire some basic knowledge about media law and ethical practices governing the practice of journalism. Some of the courses that student will undertake include the legal system , court restrictions, breach of confidence, contempt of court, libel, criminal libel, copyright, journalist sources, obscenity, indecent displays and racial hatred, election and parliament, professional regulatory bodies, right to privacy. Participant will from time to time attend certain selected court cases on these topical areas to unearth the practical relationship in this field of study. JCS 121: Freelance and Feature Writing (3 credits) Feature writing or column writing has become a key feature in the study of journalism and mass communication. Articles and features article have been seen recently as one of the most fundamental deciding factors especially in newspaper set up, the design. Choice of influential column, continuation of articles, front/ middle/ back page appearance, arrangement, inserts (pictorial/wording) are some of the skills that participants will learn in writing features. Not withstanding, participants will also learn skills in freelance writing and the professional ethics regarding the aspect of journalism that deals with freelance. Participants will be taught how unrelated culture influences the gathering and influence of a reported news item. Students will be trained with local and international freelance and feature writing skills. JCS 122: MASS COMMUNICATION (3 credits) Journalism and mass communication have been seen as bedfellows, intertwined and always complimentary. Mass communication has been seen as all activities involving individual and entities in relaying information through the mass media to the population. The role of the mass communication cuts across the professional and ethical use of the news paper, magazines, publishing, radio, TV, and film production for news and advertising. The course will give an indebt training in the various areas mentioned above. Since movies have started penetrating through the Ghanaian as well as the Nigerian markets, participants will acquire the skill of photo-journalism and a feel of what happens in the movie-video recording industry. The proper recording, storage and retrieval of archival files are some of the additional skills that participants will learn. JCS 123: Online Journalism (3 credits) The influx of technology and the accelerated change in technology has precipitated the flow of information globally without any exclusivity or selectivity. This has made it easier for journalists to acquire information which could be internet downloads, e-mails or web browsing. The course to analyze information which are news worthy. It will also facilitate the receipt and transfer of information through the internet, cross verifying/ checking authenticity, giving up to date news and communicating easily and effectively through the internet. News gathering, interviewing, video conferencing, audio conferencing, news breaking, among other relevant topics will be some of the skills to be learned and acquired by the participants. JCS 124: Disc Jockeying (3 credits) Music has been interpreted as the food of the soul. The selection and playing of good and contemporary music is a skill that needs to be acquired since one cannot predict who his discerning listener would be at any point in time. A DJ{Disc Jockey}is not just a music selector but a professional, equipped with the necessary skill to influence listeners that can draw the listeners attention for them to be glued to a particular TV/radio station. This course will take students through down-to-earth practical training in disc jockeying and Music Selection. Topics to be treated include: music selection, arrangement, requests/ dedications, call-ins, live presentations, jingles, auditioning etc. Return to Top