Introduction
The Department of Mass Communication, Imo State University offers a four-year Bachelor’s degree programme in Mass Communication. It is one of those in the country currently providing training to students who possess the required ability and aptitude.
Philosophy
It has been widely acknowledged that communication ranks among the human physiological needs of food, clothing and shelter. This is because human existence can hardly be sustained without communication. Even the survival of the human society has been identified to be synonymous with communication. Thus, the articulation of this all important human requirement into an academic discipline has become a universal necessity with which the Department of Mass Communication, Imo State University, fully identifies. In this regard, it is the philosophy of the Mass Communication Department to use the knowledge gathered through research in communication to imbue the student with values that will enable him to contribute to human and national development. To seek the truth, to develop and propagate the culture of intellectual honesty and also represent a critical dimension of this philosophy.
The Mass Communication Department, Imo State University, understands the dynamics of world politics, economic relations, technological innovation and cultural advancement, as well as Nigeria’s response to them at the national and global levels. Thus, to inculcate in the student the orientation to think nationally and act globally is accorded a pride of place in the general academic enterprise. The Department is, therefore, structured to provide leadership in research, teaching and community service in its strategic bid to boost the capacity of its staff to train the manpower needed to overcome the aforementioned challenges.
Objectives
Our broad aims and objectives are
1 To provide a specialized, distinctive and qualitative undergraduate education to students;
2 To train communication experts with a thorough grasp of the concepts, theories and methods of the discipline of Mass Communication as the means by which they can attain a robust and critical appreciation of the communication needs of man in the Nigerian society in particular and man in the world at large. In doing this, the programme seeks to unravel the problems and challenges associated with incommunicability in Nigeria. It examines how communication, in all its ramifications (Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTS), etc ) can be used to foster national unity and development;
3 To inculcate in the students the values and spirit of arriving at the truth through critical scientific inquiry and objectivity;
4 To train the manpower needed for the uplift of the country in the quest for socio-economic growth as well as political, technological and cultural development;
5 To imbue the students with the values they require to make meaningful and conscientious contribution towards the alleviation of human suffering and promotion of human progress through communication;
6 To provide, through intensive and extensive teaching and research, the high level manpower needed for our institutions of higher learning;
7 There is the need to emphasize that whereas the acquisition of professional knowledge, skills and expertise constitutes the main plank of our academic endeavours, our purpose, nevertheless, includes the creation of well-rounded and total personalities that are enriched with the ability for rational, far-reaching and responsible approach or orientation towards man and his communicative aspirations in society;
8 To provide the stepping stone to postgraduate studies in Mass Communication and other related disciplines.
These goals are pursued through relevant courses, seminars, symposia, research and long essay.
Admission Requirements
UTME:
i) UTME Entrance Examination candidates must possess five GCE (Ordinary Level) or WASC subjects passed at Credit Level in not more than two sittings. These, of necessity, must include: English Language, English Literature and Mathematics.
ii) An acceptable Pass in the UTME entrance examination.
Direct Entry:
i) Candidate must possess a minimum of five ‘O’ Level in GCE or its equivalent plus passes at Principal level in HSC or GCE Advanced Level at least two relevant subjects obtained in one sitting in English Literature, Economics, Government or History OR they must possess five credits including English Language, English Literature and a minimum of pass in Mathematics plus OND (Upper Credit) in Mass Communication. The basic entry requirements of the credit level passes in five relevant subjects should be obtained in not more than two sittings OR they must possess five credits including English Language, English Literature and Mathematics plus NCE Certificate HND or First Degree.
ii) Candidates admitted through the UTME entrance examination enroll in the four year degree programme while those with Direct Entry take three years to complete the Programme. Direct Entry students who are expected to begin at the 200 level may be required to take GST courses simultaneously.