Communication Science (offered by the Department of Communication Science) Telephone number 012 429 6565
Introduction
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The Department of Communication Science offers modules designed and developed for careers in the following sectors: broadcasting and print media, entertainment industry, community media, public relations, advertising, communication consultancy, communication research, telecommunications, international communication, and communication management in private and public organisations. Undergraduate studies lead to Honours with specialisation options in media studies, organisational communication, and telecommunications policy and regulation. On Master’s level the Department offers a research Master’s. A Master’s degree leads to doctoral studies in Communication Science. Besides the degree courses the Department offers a Certificate course in Community Journalism for Beginners, Certificate in On-line Public Relations and a certificate in Film Appreciation.
General Information
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Students who select Communication Science as a major subject for any qualification, other than those mentioned under 4 below, or who select modules in Communication Science as optional modules are exempt from the Prerequisite. Students must note that RSC201 must be passed before they register for COM306. Credit for a degree is granted for: (i) either COM101 and 102 or CMN100 (ii) either TEX821 or AFK821 (iii) either COM201 or COM205 (iv) either COM307 and COM308 or COM311
Transitional Arrangements
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Students who have passed study units in Communication Science not mentioned below, without completing the relevant level must contact the Department of Communication Science to determine which outstanding modules must be taken. Study unit passed
Modules which may not be taken
Outstanding modules
CMN100
COM101, 102
–
CMN211
RSC201
Any FOUR of COM202–205, TEX821
CMN212
–
RSC201 plus any THREE of COM202–205, TEX821
CMN213
COM202, 204
COM203, 205, RSC201, TEX821
CMN211, 212
RSC201
Any TWO of COM202–205, TEX821
CMN211, 213
RSC201, COM202, 204
Any TWO of COM202, 203, TEX821
CMN212, 213
COM202, 204
RSC201 and ONE of COM202, 203, TEX821
CMN313
COM302, 303
COM301, 304, 305, 309 (or 310)
CMN314
COM302, 303
COM301, 304, 305, 309 (or 310)
CMN315
COM301
Any FOUR of COM302–305, TEX821
CMN313, 314
COM302, 303
COM309, 310
CMN313, 315
COM301, 302, 303
Any TWO of COM304, 305, TEX821
CMN314, 315
COM301, 302, 303
Any TWO of COM304, 305, TEX821
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Communication Science as a Major Subject Compulsory modules for a major subject combination:
NB Students who passed either COM307E or COM308F before 2007 and still need to complete one elective, need to select one of COM309G or COM3109. 4.1
FOR THE BA (COMMUNICATION SCIENCE)
First level: COM101, 102, CEM101 and TWO of ENN101, 104, AFK102 Second level: COM202, 203, 204, 205, CML101, TEX821, RSC201 Third level: COM301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306 and TWO of 309, 310, 311 and TEX822
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Students who select this combination for a major in Communication Science must note that should they wish to continue with Honours in Communication Science, they need to pass the third-level modules in Communication Science with an average of 60% to qualify for admission. 4.2
FOR THE BA DEGREE, BBA DEGREE AND BA (HUMAN AND SOCIAL STUDIES)
First level: COM101, 102 Second level: COM202, 203, 204, 205, TEX821, RSC201 Third level: COM301, 302, 303, 306 and ONE of 304, 305, 309, 310, 311 Students who select this combination for a major in Communication Science must note that should they wish to continue with Honours in Communication Science, they need to pass the third-level modules in Communication Science with an average of 60% to qualify for admission. 4.3
FOR THE BSW AND BA (HEALTH SCIENCES AND SOCIAL SERVICES) (with specialisation in Welfare Science)
First level: COM101, 102 Second level: any THREE of COM202, 203, 204, 205 Third level: COM301, 302, 303, 306 and ONE of COM304, 305, 309, 310, 311 These students must note that should they wish to continue with Honours in Communication Science they will have to complete the outstanding secondlevel module in Communication, as well as the two additional compulsory modules TEX821 (Text skills for the communication industry) and RSC201 (Research in the social sciences). Students who have already passed RSC201 must pass TEX822. Students who select this combination for a major in Communication Science must note that should they wish to continue with Honours in Communication Science, they need to pass the third-level modules in Communication Science with an average of 60% to qualify for admission.
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Syllabus
NB All modules in this subject are offered as YEAR MODULES.
FIRST-LEVEL MODULES COM101X Fundamentals of communication* Purpose: to introduce students to the basic principles of communication and to create an awareness of the skills and competencies needed to communicate effectively. COM102Y Communication contexts and applications* Purpose: to equip students with theoretical knowledge of different contexts and applications of communication as well as practical skills to communicate more effectively in these contexts and applications.
SECOND-LEVEL MODULES NB The module COM2014 has been replaced with the module COM2059. In all cases where students still need to complete COM2014, it has to be replaced by COM2059.
COM2025 Organisational communication* Purpose: to enable students to acquire knowledge of organisational communication theory and research, and to enable students to apply these theories and research for the effective use, assessment and planning of communication in and between organisations. COM2036 Integrated organisational communication Purpose: to equip students with theoretical knowledge of integrated organisational communication and practical skills to promote the use of an integrated approach to organisational communication. COM2048 Intercultural, development and health communication* Purpose: to enable students to acquire knowledge of the theories and research in the fields of intercultural, developmental and health communication, and to enable students to apply this knowledge in the development of a multicultural society. COM2059 Media studies: mass communication and media theory Purpose: to educate students in the critical analysis of the relationship between the media and democracy, the functions, effects and power of the media in society, the media as public sphere and media culture.
THIRD-LEVEL MODULES COM3018 Marketing communication* Purpose: to enable students to acquire knowledge of the theories and research related to the communicative aspects of marketing, and to enable students to apply this theory and research in marketing campaigns.
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COM3029 Media studies: institutions, theories and issues* Purpose: to provide students with knowledge of media institutions, functionalist and critical media theories, and media issues, such as freedom of the press, media and race relations, stereotyping, media and violence etc, and to enable them to research topics such as media institutional practices, ownership, regulation, censorship, media and democratisation, and the power and functions of the media. COM303A Media studies: content, audiences and production* Advice: Students are advised to first register for COM302 before registering for this module. Purpose: to enable students to acquire knowledge of the theories of and skills to analyse media texts, genres, audiences and the effects of the media, and to plan the use of media for educational purposes. COM304B New media technology* Purpose: to introduce students to new media technologies, such as the Internet, and to enable them to analyse the social, cultural, political and regulatory consequences of information and communication technology. COM305C International communication Purpose: to provide students with knowledge of the role of the media in globalisation, cultural imperialism, and international affairs, and to enable them to research the international flow of news and entertainment, the New World Communication and Information Order and international communication policy. COM306D
Communication research*
NB Final assessment in this module will be based on a portfolio which the student will be required to complete and submit. Prerequisite: RSC201 Purpose: to provide students with knowledge of the techniques of communication research, how to plan and execute research, how to report research findings, and how to research advertising, mass-media audiences, media efficiency and organisational and development communication. COM309G
Public relations*
NB Final assessment in this module will be based on a portfolio which the student will be required to complete and submit. Purpose: to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to understand and apply public relations activities in an organisational context as part of a wider organisational communications effort. COM3109 Advertising* Purpose: to equip students with a theoretical knowledge of advertising, and with elementary skills in applying this knowledge in practice in a business environment. COM311A Political and government communication and media ethics Purpose: firstly, that students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical knowledge of political communication; and secondly, that students will be able to apply this knowledge in practice. This module also enables students to demonstrate an understanding of ethics and to apply ethical behaviour in order to improve the quality of media products.
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