www.maths.egerton.ac.ke

Introduction

Communication skills have always been important but never so much as now in the twenty-first century when advances in transportation and technology have made people and nations of the world inter-connected into a true ?global village?. Advances in technology have made it possible for people of different cultures and countries to interact, but it is human skills in communication that will ensure that the interactions are positive and constructive.  The crucial role of communication is to bring understanding through a process of shared meanings and the transmission of symbolic messages.  For effective interaction at interpersonal and international levels, communicators must be sensitive to cultural and gender issues in communication.  Corporations have recognized the need for better communication hence the increased use of communicative facilities.

justification

Many professionals make their living as communication consultants.  There is also a greater reliance on mediation and negotiation skills in situations ranging from civil cases to labour/management disputes to third party diplomacy in resolving regional conflicts.  The media has become important and powerful in shaping worldview and attitudes.  Media personalities/professionals must be trusted to give a clear, honest and objective picture of the world.  Also rapidly expanding are career opportunities for writers and editors in technical fields, computer software. The graduates of this programme will work in the following areas; print media (editors and writers) television media (presenters, editors, producers and screenwriters), public relations officers, business managers, consultants, diplomats, teachers, lecturers, researchers and photojournalists. The target group is school leavers, para-professionals in the mass media and other interested parties in the related disciplines.

Objectives

At the end of the programme, the graduates will be able to use communication skills acquired in pursuance of a career in communication media and other related areas.  Specifically, the students should be able to:

• Develop and refine skills in effective academic writing, communication and media and in specialized technical fields;
• Carry out independent research in their area of specialization and familiarize themselves with information gathering retrieval and dissemination techniques;
• Organize, supervise and evaluate effective communication tools; manage and control facilities, personnel, time and finance effectively;
• Write, edit and publish newspaper and/or magazine articles;
• Distinguish and appreciate differences in communication in intercultural and international context; be sensitive to issues of gender in language and communication strategies; keep abreast current developments and issues in communication.

Admission

In addition, candidates must have obtained a minimum score of C+ in English or Kiswahili.

• Candidates may be admitted to the B.A. (Comm. & Media) programme if they had a Diploma or equivalent of ?credit? level or higher in Communication/Media from recognized institutions.  Such students will be permitted to transfer up to thirty per cent (30%) from credits earned at the Diploma level to the BA (Comm. & Media) programme in accordance with Senate approved guidelines.
• Mature age candidates will also be admitted in the B.A. (Comm. & Media) programme, depending on their prior academic qualifications and work experience relevant to Communication and Media and related areas as determined by the department.
• The number of students registering for the course will be restricted and determined by the department.  The department also reserves the right to set up special qualifying exams or interview applicants to determine selection into the programme.

Duration Of study

The B.A, (Comm. & Media) programme will normally be covered by full-time students in four (4) academic years.  Part-time students will be allowed to complete the course within eight (8) academic years.  Students will be allowed to accelerate the programme by taking extra units during vacation semesters.

The B.A. (Comm. & Media) degree will enable the students to specialize in either Communication or Media.

To graduate, the student must successfully complete a minimum of 135 (one hundred and thirty-five)-credit factors.  108 (one hundred and eight) credit factors shall be communication and media courses, and the remaining 27 (twenty-seven) credit factors shall consist of both the common core courses asterisked (*) and courses from other disciplines.

Examination

Students must undertake and pass in Comm. 390:  Field/Industrial Attachment course before graduating.

Students will be allowed to audit courses but these will not count towards the degree classification.  However, the courses will be indicated on the academic transcript.