Overview
Rationale
Generally, communication and information transfer are central to the development of modern society. Communication technologies are part of society’s everyday economic, cultural, and political life. Thus, as mass media communication becomes essential in modern society, with a growing recognition that the study and practice of communication and the various ways it is affects society is vital, and as the world shifts to knowledge-based economy, excellence in journalism and communication training becomes key in the advancement of society. The Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Media and Communication Studies degree programme provides excellence in practical and comprehensive training suited to the current demands of knowledge and information networked society. It addresses the needs of current students and the media and communication industry in the present times, but with keen focus on the future. The programme is intended to equip students with requisite knowledge and skills to excel in society and professionally.
Philosophy
The programme subscribes to the notion that human capital development through training and research is vital to Kenya’s development agenda. This aligns with the philosophy of the University of Nairobi. It offers an excellent mix of communication, journalism and media knowledge, skills and competencies for a career in communication, journalism and media.
Objectives
The programme aims to equip the student with foundational, scientifically derived, and practical knowledge, understanding and skills of communication in its widest meaning in mediated, group, interpersonal, mass, and intercultural forms.The specific objectives of the programme are to:
- Provide students with technical knowledge and skills in various areas including communication, journalism and media.
- Provide an education that prepares students for a wide scope of career opportunities.
- Develop competent graduates with the right skills and knowledge to perform in contemporary complex and volatile global communication, journalism and media environments.
Contacts of support persons: Dr. Kamau Mwangi
a) Candidates must satisfy the minimum University entry requirements.
b) Subject to regulation (a) above, eligible candidates for the Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies shall be:
- Holders of KCSE with a mean grade of C+ and a minimum of C+ in English or Kiswahili or its equivalent.
- Holders of the KCSE with a minimum aggregate of C plain or equivalent; or KCE Division II or equivalent; or EACE Division II or equivalent, with a minimum of C+ in English or Kiswahili- all of these candidates MUST ALSO have a Diploma or equivalent from a recognized post-secondary institution.
- Holder of KCSE with C plain or equivalent, with a minimum of C+ in English or Kiswahili. In addition, these candidates MUST ALSO have a credit and a Diploma or equivalent from a recognized post-secondary institution.
- Holder of the Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE) with a minimum of two (2) Principal passes and one subsidiary pass, and a minimum of a credit pass in English or Kiswahili at the KCE level.
- Holder of a degree from a recognized University or its equivalent.
Exams Regulations
a) The Common University and School examination regulations shall apply.
b) Candidates will sit for examinations at the end of each semester. Candidates must attend the prescribed courses of study in accordance with University regulations and those of the School, before being permitted to sit for examinations.
c) All end-of-semester examinations shall consist of a Two-hour paper for each course unit taken in the semester.
d) Continuous Assessment Tests (CATS) shall constitute 30% of the total marks in a given unit. The School shall develop procedures for CAT(s).
e) Each course unit shall be graded out of an examination of 100 marks, and the pass mark shall be 40% for each unit. These marks shall be translated into the following grades:
100-70% = A
69-60% = B
59-50% = C
49-40% = D
39-0% = E
f) A candidate who fails any end-of-semester examination paper on first attempt shall be allowed to re-sit and pass the failed papers in the next academic year.
g) Subject to regulation (f) above,
i. A candidate who fails up to a maximum of Three (3) courses in any one semester shall be allowed to proceed to the next semester and re-sit the failed units in the next year. However, if the failed units are prerequisites for other advanced courses, the candidate MUST pass them before being allowed to register for the advanced units. The maximum mark that a candidate can get after re-sitting shall be 40% of the total marks.
ii. A candidate required to re-sit a course unit may opt to retake it (register, attend lectures, submit coursework and sit final examination again when it is next on offer). Such a course shall be graded out of 100 marks.
h) A candidate who has failed six or more course units after three (3) unsuccessful attempts on each of the units concerned shall be discontinued.
Structure
Schedule of intakes
May and September
Mode of delivery
This shall be interactive mode of instruction consisting of: lectures, discussions, presentations, seminars, tutorials, demonstrations, case studies, fieldwork, practicums, studio projects, individual and group consultations, independent studies, guest speakers, and field visits, industry visits, and field research.
This will involve use and deployment of internet and other digital platforms for the delivery of the programme
This will involve an appropriate mixture of face-to-face and ODeL modes of delivery.
Semester: 1
Course Code Course Name and Hours
CCS001 Communication Skills 45
KCS101 Introduction To Communication Anthropology 45
CCS008 Elements Of Philosophy 45
KCS105 Kiswahili For Journalists 45
KCS103 English For Journalists 45
Semester: 2
CCS007 Science And Technology In Development 45
CCS009 Elements Of Economics 45
CCS010 Hiv And Aids Instructions 45
KCS102 Communication And Society 45
KCS104 Psychology Of Communication 45
KCS106 History Of Mass Communication 45
KCS108 Culture And Performing Studies 45
KCS110 Computer Applications 45
Level : 2
Semester: 1
KCS201 Fundamentals Of Mass Communication 45
KCS209 Critical Thinking In Communication 45
KCS203 Fundamentals Of Development 45
KCS205 Fundamentals Of Communication Theories 45
KCS207 New Information And Communication Technology 45
Semester: 2
KCS210 Media Ethics 45
KCS212 Political Communication 45
KCS202 Development Communication 45
KCS204 Fundamental Of Print Journalism 45
KCS208 Fundamentals Of Public Relations Advertising 45
KCS206 Fundamentals Of Broadcast Journalism 45
Level : 3
KDC303 Advanced Development Communication 45
KDC301 Organizational Communication 45
KCS301 Introduction To Communication Research 45
KDC305 Communication Development Practice 45
KDC307 Gender, Communication And Development 45
KCS303 Media And Entertainment Law 45
KDC309 Intercultural Cross Cultural Communication 45
KDC311 Communication And Behaviour Change 45
KJB303 Scriptwriting 45
KJB305 Script Writing For Radio 45
KJB307 Script Writing For Television 45
KJP303 Feature Writing 45
KJP301 News Writing And Reporting 45
KJB301Broadcast News Production 45
KJS303 Reporting On Administration Of Justice 45
KJS307m Human Rights Journalism 45
KJS309 Reporting On Science And Technology 45
KJS305 Business Reporting And Writing 45
KJS301 Introduction To Communication Research 45
KPR303 Public Speaking 45
KPR301 Principles, practices And Theory Of Public Relations 45
KPR305 integrated Marketing Communications 45
KPR309 Fundamentals Of Layout And Design 45
Semester: 2
KBP302 Editing For Radio Television 45
KDC302 Infromation,education,communicatio-iecs 45
KCS304 Management And Enterprenuerships 45
KDC304 Project Specialisations And Proposal Writing 45
KDC308 Social Marketing 45
KDC306 Statistical Methods 45
KCS302 Communication Research 45
KDC310 Communication And Human Rights 45
KDC312 Health Communication And Development 45
KDC314 African Communications Systems 45
KDC316 Contemporary Issues In Communication 45
KDC316 Industrial Attachment 90
KJB308 Drama And Documentary Production 45
KJB302 Studio Equipment Operations 45
KJB304 Radio News Programme Writing Production 45
KJB306 Television News Programme Writing Production 45
KJB310 Advanced Broadcast Interviewing 45
KJP302 Photojournalism 45
KJP304 Editing And Desktop Publishing 45
KJP306 News Agency Reporting 45
KJP308 Reporting On Education 45
KJP310 Critical Review And Writing 45
KJB312 Industrial Attachment 90
KJS302 Human Health Communication 45
KJS304Enviromental Journalism 45
KPR312 Advertising Copy Writing And Consumer Behaviour 45
KPR302 Communication Research 45
KPR308 International Public Relations 45
KPR310 Crisis Communication 45
KPR304 Principles Of Advertising 45
KPR316 Industrial Attachment 90
Level : 4
KDC407 Communication And Conflict 45
KDC405 Communication And Conflict 45
KDC403 Monitoring And Evaluation Of Iec Programmes 45
KDC411 Communication And Human Rights 45
KDC413 Health Communication And Development 45
KDC401 Communication Policy I 45
KJB405 Advanced Tv Production And Directing Techniques 45
KDC409 Communication And Technology 45
KJB403 Advanced Radio Production And Directing Techniques 45
KJB401 Production Planning Research And Management 45
KDC415 Political Communication And Development 45
KJB409 Production For Children 45
KJB411 Audio And Visual Animation 45
KJB407 Community Broadcasting Operation And Management45
KJB405 Advanced Tv Production And Directing Techniques 45
KJP403 Newspaper Management And Production 45
KJP401 Advance Media Reporting And Editing 45
KJS401 Online Journalism 45
KJP405 Advanced Photojournalism 45
KPR401 Public Relation Management
45KJS405 Media And Gender 45
KJS409 Reporting On Ict 45
KJS407 Media And Conflict Resolution 45
KJS403 Reporting On Humanitarian Issues 45
KPR403 Photography For Public Relations 45
KPR409 Broadcast Commercials Production 45
KPR413 Lobbying 45
KPR411 Financial Public Relations 45
KPR407 Ethics And Professionalism In Public Relations 45
KPR405 Industrial Attachment 45
Admission Requirements
Exemptions from studying certain course units will be considered on their own merit, but shall not exceed one-third (1/3rd) of the total number of courses required for the degree programme. The following rules shall apply with regard to exemptions:
No student will be exempted from course units beyond one-third of the total number of course units required for the degree programme.
Exemption from studying any course unit shall be based on proven evident of course content having been covered adequately at the diploma level with a minimum
Careers
* News Organizations
* Non Governmental Organizations
* Corporate Communications
* Production companies
Fees and Funding
