Communication and Media Studies
Preamble
The Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) are designed for the education and training of undergraduate students wishing to obtain first degrees in the different areas of Communication and Media Studies in Nigerian University System. Presented in this section are the basic operational elements that serve to define the minimum academic standards required to achieve the cardinal goal of producing graduates in Communication and Media Studies with sufficient academic background to face the challenges of a developing economy in an increasingly globalized economy.
It is pertinent to note that this CCMAS document is expected to guide institutions in the design of curricula for their Communication and Media Studies programmes by stipulating the minimum requirements. Being such, institutions are encouraged to take due cognizance of the CCMAS while bringing necessary innovation to the content and delivery of their programmes towards achieving the overall goal of Communication and Media Studies education and training in the country.
Programmes and Degrees
Presented in the table below is the list of programmes covered in the current CCMAS Document. Communication and Media Studies Discipline is a new discipline that emerged as the result of the unbundling of the Mass Communication programmes. Hence, the emergence of nine (9) programmes to respond to the local and global dynamics.
Table 4. List of Programme(s) and Degree(s) in View
| S/N | Programmes | Degree(s) In View |
| 1. | Advertising | B.Sc |
| 2. | Broadcasting | B.Sc |
| 3. | Development Communication Studies | B.Sc |
| 4. | Film and Multimedia | B.Sc |
| 5. | Information and Media Studies | B.Sc |
| 6. | Journalism and Media Studies | B.Sc |
| 7. | Mass Communications | B.Sc |
| 8. | Public Relations | B.Sc |
| 9. | Strategic Communication | B.Sc |
The approved programmes promote interface between Communication and Media Studies, Social Sciences and other Disciplines in order to response to global and local needs.
The programmes are designed, in general, to be broad-based to equip the graduates with the diverse tools of the profession. In order to expand the scope of programmes and promote multidisciplinary studies, universities may leverage on the CCMAS to introduce programmes that draw on resources across the Communication and Media Studies and Social Sciences. The requirements should, however, be properly defined, following established norms.
The degree of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) shall be awarded in all Faculties of Communication and Media Studies in Nigerian Universities. Classes of degree are to be awarded depending on the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) obtained by students. The classes of degree that may be awarded are First Class (Honours), Second Class Honours (Upper Division), Second Class Honours (Lower Division) and Third-Class Honours.
Philosophy of the Disciplines
The philosophy and mission statement underlying the programmes of Communication and Media Studies is to produce graduates imbued with the ability to understand and make contribution to the development of Nigeria and the global community. Communication and Media Studies have the mission to foster an understanding of the rapidly changing world including issues of globalization and a ‘borderless world’ as well as relationships between various worlds. This broad objective can be achieved by equipping students with a solid foundation as well as specialized knowledge in a particular discipline; preparing graduates to meet the human resources needs; fostering in graduates’ entrepreneurial knowledge, the ability to apprehend current changes as well as a sense of public responsibility and a spirit of self-reliance.
Objectives
Accordingly, Communication and Media Studies training should:
- develop the student’s understanding of communicative problems at the various levels of the Nigerian and global society;
- develop in the student ability for objective and critical judgment and to observe, understand, analyse and synthesize socio-economic, political and environmental problems using Communication and Media Studies methods and techniques;
- create an enabling environment for desirable behaviour change which would help the student to develop values that are in consonance with hard work, probity, commitment, discipline and patriotism;
- enable the graduate of Communication and Media Studies to fit into various fields of human endeavour both in the private and public sectors of the economy and equip him/her with entrepreneurial skills and a sense of self-reliance.
Basic Admission Requirements and Expected Duration of the Programmes
There are two different pathways by which candidates can be admitted into programmes in the discipline:
- Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)
- Direct Entry
Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Pathway
Admission through UTME shall take the student to 100 level. To be eligible for admission, candidate is expected to pass both the UTME and the University screening test (where applicable). The candidate must have in addition a minimum of credit pass in five subjects at not more than two sittings in SSCE. The credit passes are required in the following subjects: English language, Mathematics, Literature in English and any other two subjects.
Direct Entry
Candidates with two A level passes at the Advanced Level in one or more relevant subjects; National Diploma or its equivalent, may undertake the three – year degree programme from 200-level.
Duration of the Programme
The minimum duration of Communication and Media Studies programmes is four academic sessions or eight (8) consecutively-run semesters for candidates who enter through the UTME Mode. Direct Entry candidates admitted to the 200 level of their programmes will spend a minimum of three academic sessions or six (6) consecutively-run semesters.
Graduation Requirements
The following regulations shall govern the conditions for the award of a honours degree.
- candidates admitted through the UTME mode shall have registered for a minimum of 120 and maximum of 150 units of courses during the 4-year degree programme.
- candidates must have registered and passed all the compulsory courses specified for the programmes.
- candidates admitted through the Direct Entry mode must register for a minimum of 90 and maximum of 120 units of courses, including all compulsory courses, to qualify for graduation during the 3-year degree programme.
The determination of the class of degree shall be based on the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) earned at the end of the programme but not less than 1.00.
General definition of common terms and principles governing the course unit system and graduation
Course System
All programmes in the Nigerian University System (NUS) shall be run on a modularised system, commonly referred to as Course Unit System. All courses should therefore be sub-divided into more or less self-sufficient and logically consistent packages that are taught within a semester and examined at the end of that particular semester.
Credits are weights attached to a course. One credit is equivalent to one hour per week per semester of 15 weeks of lectures or three hours of laboratory/studio/ workshop work per week per semester of 15 weeks. In addition to the current 15 weeks semester system, universities should be encouraged to inaugurate a blended system which is based partly on physical contacts and partly using virtual or online platforms.
Definition of Course System
This should be understood to mean a quantitative system of organization of the curriculum in which subject areas are broken down into unit courses which are examinable and for which students earn credit(s) if passed. The courses are arranged in progressive order of complexity or in levels of academic progress, e.g., Level I courses are 100, 101 and Level II courses are 200, 202. The second aspect of the system is that courses are assigned weights allied to Units.
Units
Consist of specified number of student-teacher contact hours per week per semester. Units are used in two complementary ways: one, as a measure of course weighting, and the other, as an indicator of student work load.
- as a measure of course weighting for each Unit course (e.g.) CMS 101, ADV 203, STC 404), the credit unit to be earned for satisfactorily completing the course is specified; e.g. a 2-credit unit course may mean two 1-hour lecture per week per semester or one 1-hour lecture plus 3-hour practical per week per semester.
- as a measure of work load, “One Credit Unit” means one hour of lecture or one hour of tutorial per week per semester. For other forms of teaching requiring student teacher contact, the following equivalents may apply:
- two hours of seminar: three hours of laboratory or field work, Clinical practice/practicum, studio practice or stadium sporting activity, six hours of teaching practice; four weeks of industrial attachment where applicable.
A glossary of all the course codes are presented under Glossary of Codes
Note: Normally, in Course Credit System, courses are mounted all year round, thus enabling students to participate in examinations in which they are unsuccessful or unable to participate on account of ill health or for other genuine reasons. In such a system, no special provisions are made for re-sit examinations.
The maximum length of time allowed obtaining an honours degree in the faculty shall be twelve semesters for the 4-year degree programme and ten semesters for students admitted through the direct entry mode
Grading of Courses
Grading of courses shall be done by a combination of percentage marks and letter grades translated into a graduated system of Grade Point as shown in Table 5.
Table 5. Grade Point System
| Mark % | Letter Grade | Grade Point |
| 70 – 100 | A | 5.0 |
| 60 – 69 | B | 4.0 |
| 50 – 59 | C | 3.0 |
| 45 – 49 | D | 2.0 |
| 40– 44 | E | 1.0 |
| 0- 39 | F | 0.0 |
Grade Point Average and Cumulative Grade Point Average
For the purpose of determining a student’s standing at the end of every semester, the Grade Point Average (GPA) system shall be used. The GPA is computed by dividing the total number of Units x Grade Point (TUGP) by the total number of units (TNU) for all the courses taken in the semester as illustrated in Table 6.
The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) over a period of semesters is calculated in the same manner as the GPA by using the grade points of all the courses taken during the period.
Table 6. Calculation of GPA or CGPA
| Course | Units | Grade Point | Units x Grade Point (UGP) |
| C1 | U1 | GP1 | U1 x GP1 |
| C2 | U2 | GP2 | U2 x GP2 |
| – | – | – | – |
| – | – | – | – |
| Ci | Ui | GPi | Ui x GPi |
| – | – | – | – |
| – | – | – | – |
| CN | UN | GPN | UN x GPN |
| TOTAL | TNU | TUGP |
Degree Classifications
The following regulations shall govern the conditions for the award of an honours degree.
- candidates admitted through the UTME mode shall have registered for and passed at least 120 units of courses during the 4-year degree programme.
- candidates must have registered and passed all the compulsory courses specified for the programme.
The determination of the class of degree shall be based on the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) earned at the end of the programme. The CGPA shall be used in the determination of the class of degree as summarized in the Table below. It is important to note that the CGPA shall be calculated and expressed correct to two decimal places.
Table 7. Degree Classification
| Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) | Class of Degree |
| 4.50 – 5.00
3.50 – 4.49 2.40 – 3.49 1.50 – 2.39 1.00 – 1.49 |
1st Class Honours
2nd Class Honours (Upper Division) 2nd Class Honours (Lower Division) 3rd Class Honours Pass |
Students who transfer from other universities shall be credited with only those courses deemed relevant to the programmes, which they have already passed prior to their transfer. Such students shall however be required to pass the minimum number of units specified for graduation for the number of sessions he/she has spent in the faculty; provided that no student shall spend less than two sessions (4 semesters) in order to earn a degree. Students who transfer from another programme in the faculty or other faculties for any approved reason shall be credited with those units passed that are within the curriculum of the programme to which he/she has transferred. Appropriate decisions on transfer cases shall be subjected to the approval of Senate on the recommendation of the Faculty Board.
Probation
A student whose Cumulative Grade Point Average is below 1.50 at the end of a particular year of study, earns a period of probation for one academic session. A student on probation is allowed to register for courses at the next higher level in addition to his/her probation level courses provided that:
- the regulation in respect of student work-load is complied with; and
- the pre-requisite courses for the higher-level courses have been passed.
Withdrawal
A candidate whose Cumulative Grade Point Average is below 1.5 at the end of a particular year of probation shall withdraw from the University. However, in order to minimize waste of human resources, consideration should be given to withdrawal from programme of study and possible transfer to other programmes within the same University.
Evaluation
Evaluation shall be done from different perspectives: First, students would be assessed through continuous assessment, examination including external examination, fieldwork etc. Second, students will evaluate courses, staff, equipment, space, and other aspects of the programme.
Techniques of Student Assessment
Tutorials
The timetable for courses shall be designed to make provision for tutorials of at least one hour for every four hours of lecture. Thus a 3-unit course of 45 hours per semester should attract about 10 hours of tutorials.
Continuous Assessment
Continuous assessment shall be done through essays, tests, and practical exercises.
Scores from continuous assessment shall normally constitute 30 – 40 per cent of the full marks for courses which are primarily theoretical.
For courses which are partly practical and partly theoretical, scores from continuous assessment shall constitute 40% of the final marks.
For courses that are entirely practical, continuous assessment shall be based on a student’s practical work or reports and shall constitute 100% of the final marks.
Examinations
In addition to continuous assessment, final examinations should normally be given for every course at the end of each semester. All courses shall be graded out of a maximum of 100 marks comprising:
Final Examination: 70% – 60%
Continuous assessment (Quizzes, Homework, Tests, Practicals): 30% – 40%
Each course shall normally be completed and examined at the end of the semester in which it is offered.
External Examination System
The involvement of external examiners from other universities is a crucial quality assurance requirement for all courses in Nigerian University System. In this regard, external examiner should go beyond mere moderation of examination questions to examining of examination papers to scope and depth of examination questions vis a vis the curricular expectation.
Students’ Evaluation of Courses
There should be an established mechanism to enable students to evaluate courses delivered to them at the end of each semester. This should be an integral component of the course system; serving as feedback mechanism for achieving the following:
Improvement in the effectiveness of course delivery.
Continual update of lecture materials to incorporate emerging new concepts.
Effective usage of teaching aids and tools to maximize impact of knowledge on students.
Improvement in students’ performance through effective delivery of tutorials, timely presentation of continuous assessment and high-quality examination.
The evaluation should be conducted preferably before the final semester examinations. It is very important that students’ evaluation of courses be administered fairly and transparently through the use of well-designed questionnaires. The completed questionnaires should be professionally analysed and results discussed with the course lecturer(s) towards improvement in course delivery in all its ramifications.
Maintenance of Curricular Relevance
Using the minimum standards document as guide, the curriculum of each programme shall be reviewed from time to time to determine the continued relevance and fitness for purpose. NUC, in its role as the national quality assurance agency on university programmes, shall subject the benchmark statements to review periodically. It is recommended that Universities review their programmes, at least once in five years, using the current quality assurance benchmark statements.
Unless otherwise essential for particular programmes, all programmes in a university should be reviewed at the same time. Indeed, because even students from other faculties normally take some of their special electives in the humanities, it would be expedient if all courses in the University are reviewed at the same time.
A committee of staff senior enough and competent to carry out an effective review, shall do each curriculum review. The review shall include an assessment as to whether the goals and objectives of the programme, as formulated are still relevant in dynamic, professional and social contexts.
Reviews shall endeavour to incorporate the opinions of relevant stakeholders such as students, staff, external examiners, employers, professional bodies, and policy makers.
Each curriculum so revised shall be subjected to consideration and approval at the levels of Department, Faculty/Colleges, and Senate in the University. Specifically, a good review should examine the curriculum and resources in accordance with the following criteria:
Re-assessment/re-formulation of goals and objectives of the programme in relation to the needs of the learners and the market requirements, taking into account the broader aspects of the discipline.
The market demands of the graduates now and in the future, in terms of skills needed to function as competitive professionals in the current labour market on a global scale.
Relevance of the current content in terms of knowledge, skills and attitudes being taught/developed and how these meet the needs of the present and future requirements of the clientele.
- How the teaching and learning methods meet or fall short of current and future standards of comparable programmes.
- The quality of teaching and learning material used.
- Outcomes of learning in terms of success, experience of learners (pass rate, knowledge and skills acquisition, professional capability and integrity) as contributed by the programme.
- The views of employers and community members on the quality and relevance of the curriculum.
Performance Evaluation Criteria
The accreditation of Communication and Media Studies degree programme means a system of recognizing educational institutions (universities and programmes offered by them) for a level of performance, integrity and quality which entitles them to the confidence of the educational and professional community, the public they serve, and employers of labour.
The objectives of the accreditation exercise are to:
- Ensure that at least the provisions of the minimum academic benchmark statements are attained, maintained and enhanced.
- Assure employers and other members of the community that graduates of these institutions have attained an acceptable level of competence in their areas of specialization.
Certify to the international community that the programmes offered in these universities are of high standards and that their graduates are adequate for employment and for further studies.
