Course: MAC 315 Community Newspaper (2 credits. Compulsory)
Course Duration: Two hours per week for 15 weeks (30 hours) as taught in the 2011/2012
session.
Lecturer: Adisa R. M.
M.Sc Mass Communication (Lagos)
B.Sc Mass Communication (Kano)
PGDE (NTI Kaduna)
Advanced Digital Appreciation Program-Tertiary (ADAPT) Training NCC Abuja.
Member: NIPR, ACCE
Department of Mass Communication
Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences
University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
E-mail:
adisarasaqm@yahoo.com,
adisa.rm@unilorin.edu.ng
Location: First Floor, Room 3, Educational Technology Building,
University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Consultation Hours: 10.00 am -12 noon (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
Course Content
Writing, editing and publishing weekly or regular newspaper for the rural community, small
municipalities and urban neighbourhoods. Content analysis, readership research and business
and management procedures.
Course Description
This course is designed to expose students to grass-roots journalism especially community
newspaper. The course also provides comprehensive perception on the basic difference between
urban journalism and community journalism; techniques of community newspaper production;
structure and organization of a community newspaper; design and content of a community
newspaper; strategies of circulation and marketing of community newspapers; roles of
community newspaper; contents and sources of news for community newspaper.
Course Justification
The development of rural areas is of vital importance towards national development in any
country and community newspaper, being one of the types of community media, is a veritable
instrument to aid community development. Hence, the course will help students understand the
concepts, ideology and process of producing community newspaper.
Course Objectives
On the completion of this course the student should:
1. Demonstrate the basic differences between urban journalism and community
journalism.
2. Know the various techniques of community newspaper production.
3. Understand the structure and organization of a community newspaper.
4. Know the design and content of a community newspaper.
5. Understand the basic strategies of circulation and marketing of community
newspapers.
Course Requirements
Participants in the course are required to:
1. A minimum of 75% attendance qualifies students for writing the end of semester
examination in this course;
2. All written assignments and feature stories must be word processed;
3. Deadline must be strictly observed. Late assignments will attract penalties;
4. Each student is expected to have a yahoo e-mail account, join and participate in the
course’s online discussion group.
Methods of Grading
Performance in the course will be graded using the guidelines in the table below.
Criterion
Percentage Score of Total Marks
Test
10
Assignment/Project
15
Participation in online discussion group
5
Final Examination
70
Total
100
Course Delivery Strategies
The main method of course delivery is face-to-face lectures, discussions, and small group
exercises and practical some of which shall be presented in the class.
Lecture Contents
Week 1: Introduction to Community Journalism
Objective: The objectives of the week are to describe an overview of the course, describe the
various definitions of community and community journalism.
Description
First Hour
Description of the course
Definition of Community
Second Hour
Characteristics of a community
Administrative and organizational pattern of a community
Definition of Community Journalism
Study Questions
1. Define Community in Nigeria context.
2. What is Journalism?
3. Describe Community Journalism.
4. What are the major characteristics of Community Journalism?
5. Describe the organizational pattern of a community.
Reading List
1. Fuller4 L. K. (2007). Community Media. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, pp 1-2. ISBN13: 978–1–4039–7794–6.
2. Odedeji 4 A. (2003). Community and Rural Society: A Sociological Perspective in Oso
L. (Ed.) Community Media. Abeokuta: Jedididah Publishers, pp. 7-9. ISBN 978-2951-528.
3. Shepherd4 G. J. and Rothenbuhler, E. W. (2000) Communication and Community. New
Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, pp 1-3. ISBN 0-8058-3138-X.
4. Anaeto 4 S. G. & Solo- Anaeto M. (2010). Rural Community Newspaper Principles and
Practice. Ibadan: Stirling- Horden Publishers Ltd, p. 18. ISBN: 978-032-745-2.
Week 2: Urban and Community Journalism Compared.
Objective
This week objectives are to distinguish between urban journalism and community journalism.
Description
First Hour
Area of coverage
Frequency of publication
Philosophy
Editorial contents
Second Hour
Allocation of space
Advertisement content
Scope of news
Circulation and distribution
Study Questions
1. Compare and contrast urban and community journalism.
2. List at least 10 urban and five community mass media in Nigeria.
3. Explain the importance of coverage area to both urban and rural newspapers.
4. Describe the philosophy of community newspaper.
5. What are the challenges of circulation for community newspaper?
Reading List
Odedeji4 A. (2003) Community and Rural Society: A Sociological Perspective in Oso L. (Ed.)
Community Media. Abeokuta: Jedididah Publishers, pp. 21-23. ISBN 978-2951-52-8.
Week 3: Rural Community Newspaper
Objective
The main objectives of this week are to explain to students the term rural newspaper,
characteristics of rural community newspaper, and essential elements of rural community
newspaper.
Description
First Hour
Meaning of rural community newspaper
Characteristics of rural community newspaper
Second Hour
Elements of rural community newspaper
Nature of rural community newspaper
Study Questions
1. Explain rural community newspaper.
2. Describe characteristics of rural newspaper.
3. What are the essential elements of a rural community newspaper?
4. State the nature of rural newspaper.
5. List characterizes of rural newspaper.
Reading List
1. Anaeto4 S. G. and Solo- Anaeto M. (2010). Rural Community Newspaper Principles and
Practice. Ibadan: Stirling- Horden Publishers Ltd, pp. 40-47. ISBN: 978-032-745-2.
Week 4: Organizational Structure of Community Newspaper
Objective: The objectives of the week are to explain the structure and organization of a
community newspaper.
Description
First Hour
The major divisions of a community newspaper
Second Hour
Functions of the editor and other staff of the community newspaper
Study Questions
1. Identify and explain the various divisions of a community newspaper
2. Compare the editorial department of community newspaper with a standard one.
3. List the key functionary personnel in community newspaper organization.
4. Describe the roles of editor, sub-editor and production editor in a community newspaper.
5. State the main works of production unit.
Reading List
1. Adisa4 R. M. (2005) Fundamentals of Newspaper/Magazine Editing and Production.
Osogbo: positive Impact Publications, pp 10-17.ISBN 978-32581-4-3
Week 4: Roles of Community Newspaper
Objectives
The objectives of the week are to describe the roles play by community newspaper for the
community and society generally.
Description
First Hour
Developmental Role
Informational, Educational and Entertainment roles
Second Hour
Means of expression
Socialization agent
Study Questions
1. Identify a community, and the newspaper that circulate to that circulate community.
2. What are the roles play by the newspaper in that community?.
3. How does a community newspaper socialize, entertain and unify community?
4. Define socialization agent.
5. How does a community newspaper serve as means of expression?
Reading List
1. Harrison4 S. (2006) “Local government public relations and the local press” in Franklin
B. (Ed.) Local government public relations and the local press Local Journalism and
Local Media. Canada: Routledge, pp. 186- 188. ISBN10: 0-203-96920-0.
Week 5: Structure of Community Reporting
Objective
The main objectives of this week are to enable students understand the dimensions and varieties
of community reporting.
Description
First Hour
Town journalist reporting village to town
Town journalist reporting village to the village
Second Hour
Village journalist reporting village to the town
Village journalist reporting village to the village
Study Questions
1. Describe the situation when reporting of village is done by the town journalist to the
village.
2. Give reasons for situation that necessitate town journalist reporting village to the town.
3. How does a town journalist report village news to the villagers?
4. Describe how village journalist reports village news to the villagers.
5. Why is it important for the village journalist to report village news to the town audience?
Reading List
1. Fuller4 L. K. (2007). Community Media. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 2-3. ISBN13: 978–1–4039–7794–6.
2. Odedeji 4 A. (2003) Community and Rural Society: A Sociological Perspective in Oso L.
(Ed.) Community Media. Abeokuta: Jedididah Publishers, pp. 7-9. ISBN 978-2951-52-8.
Weeks 6- 7: Contents and Sources of News for Community Newspaper
Objectives
The main objectives of this week are to explain to students the orientation and focus of editorial
content of community newspaper.
Description
First Hour
Localization of news in community newspapers
Second Hour (week 6)
Relevance of news values to community newspaper
First Hour
Relevance of news values to community newspaper
Second Hour (week 7)
Contents of community newspaper
Study Questions
1. Explain, with examples, the kinds of contents mostly fund in community newspaper.
2. How relevant are proximity and prominence in community newspaper news?
3. What types of news contain in community newspaper?
4. Describe the focus of editorial in community newspaper.
5. State the guidelines that must be met by the contents of community newspaper.
6. List the usual contents of community newspaper.
7. What are news values?
8. Explain the sources of news for community newspapers.
Reading List
1. Harrison4 S. (2006) “Local government public relations and the local press” in Franklin
B. (Ed.) Local government public relations and the local press Local Journalism and
Local Media. Canada: Routledge, pp. 175- 184. ISBN10: 0-203-96920-0.
2. Anaeto4 S. G. and Solo- Anaeto M. (2010). Rural Community Newspaper Principles and
Practice. Ibadan: Stirling- Horden Publishers Ltd, pp. 50-53. ISBN: 978-032-745-2.
Weeks 8-9: Design and Make-up of Community Newspaper
Objective
These weeks, students will be acquainted with the knowledge of the various types of design and
make up for community newspaper.
Description
First Hour (week 8)
Meaning of make-up
Kinds of make-up
Elements in the front and back pages of a community newspaper
Second Hour (week 8)
Designing of front, back, opinion-editorial and inside pages
First Hour (week 9)
Poster, illustrations, etc. for a community newspaper
Second Hour (week 9)
Selection and use of pictures, graphics, etc. for community newspapers
Study Questions
1. Define make-up.
2. List the types of make-up and design.
3. What are the elements necessary for the front, back, editorial and inside pages of a
community newspaper?
4. Describe the process involved in designing a community newspaper.
5. What roles do poster, graphics and picture play in community newspaper?
6. Explain the tools require in planning a community newspaper.
7. Illustrate how the front page of a community newspaper is designed.
8. List the requirements of page design.
9. How important is the use of pictures in community newspaper?
10. What should be the focus of the editorial of community newspaper?
Reading List
1. Adisa,4 R. M. (2005) Fundamentals of Newspaper/Magazine Editing and Production.
Osogbo: positive Impact Publications, pp 107-118.ISBN 978-32581-4-3
2. Frost4 C. (2005) “Design for print media” in Richard K. (ed). Print Journalism A critical
introduction. London: Routledge, pp 201- 204. ISBN 0-203-00676-3.
Weeks 10-11: Community Newspaper Production Techniques
Objective
The main objective of this week lecture is to know the various techniques of community
newspaper production.
Description
First Hour
Letter press
off-set
Second Hours (week 10)
Gravure,
Stenciling, other printing methods
First Hour
Lithography
Plate making process
Second Hours (week 11)
Modern innovations: computer printing
Processing of community news for production
Study Questions
1. Describe the printing methods relevant for community newspaper.
2. What are the steps involved in plate making for community newspaper?
3. What is stenciling?
4. Describe the process of lithography.
5. Explain the relevance of computer to community newspaper.
6. Illustrate the process of production of community newspaper.
7. What are the challenges of community newspaper production?
8. Describe platemaking in the production of community newspaper.
9. Explain off-set printing process.
10. Describe Gravure method of printing.
Reading List
1. Adisa4 R. M. (2005) Fundamentals of Newspaper/Magazine Editing and Production.
Osogbo: positive Impact Publications, pp 121-128. ISBN 978-32581-4-3
2. Okoye4 I. (2000) Newspaper Editing and Production in the Computer Age. Lagos: Mbeyi
and Associate, pp 175-185. ISBN: 978-34984-6-0.
3. Rudin4 R. and Ibbotson T. (2002) An Introduction to Journalism. Oxford: Focal Press, pp
86-89 ISBN 0 240 51634 6.
Week 12: Revenue for Community Newspaper
Objective
The main objectives of week 12 are to explain the different means through which a community
newspaper can be funded.
Description
First Hour
Revenue sources for the community newspaper.
Second Hour
Cash flow analysis
Study Questions
1. What are the possible revenue sources for community newspaper?
2. What is cash flow?
3. Explain the likely cash flow problems of a community newspaper.
4. What are the disadvantages of sole funding of community newspaper?
5. List possible sources of funding for community newspaper.
Reading List
1. Okoye4 I. (2004) Magazinology. Lagos: Mebyi & Associates, p 4. ISBN 978-35652-8-1.
2. Anaeto4 S. G. and Solo- Anaeto M. (2010). Rural Community Newspaper Principles and
Practice. Ibadan: Stirling- Horden Publishers Ltd, p. 68. ISBN: 978-032-745-2.
Weeks 13-14: Circulation and Marketing of Community Newspaper
Objectives
The main objectives of the weeks are to explain the basic strategies of circulation and marketing
of community newspapers.
Description
First Hour (week 13)
Circulation.
Distribution/Subscription.
Second Hour (week 13)
Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC).
Circulation problems in Nigeria.
First Hour (week 14)
The market days, festivals, community centers, sports centers, etc, in a given local government
area
Challenges of these distribution channels
Second Hour (week 14)
Identify all heads of cultural and/or social organizations in the community.
Advantages and Disadvantages of these channels
Study Questions
1. What is circulation?
2. Differentiate between distribution and subscription of newspaper.
3. Why is Audit Bureau of Circulation important to newspaper?
4. List and explain circulation problems facing Nigeria newspaper.
5. How can market days, festivals, and community centers be harnessed for community
newspaper circulation?
6. Identify a local government and list market days in the areas.
7. What are the challenges of rural and community distribution channels?
8. Compare circulation problems of urban and community newspapers.
9. Proffer solutions to the rural and community newspaper’s circulation problems.
10. List five community newspapers that have been in circulation for more than five years.
Reading List
1. Adisa4 R. M. (2005) Fundamentals of Newspaper/Magazine Editing and Production.
Osogbo: positive Impact Publications, pp 121-128. ISBN 978-32581-4-3.
2. Anaeto4 S. G. and Solo- Anaeto M. (2010). Rural Community Newspaper Principles and
Practice. Ibadan: Stirling- Horden Publishers Ltd, pp.92-107. ISBN: 978-032-745-2.
Week 15: Revision
Objectives
Students would be expected to revise and seek for clarification on any difficult concept or topic
treated during the course.
Revision Questions
1. Define community in the Nigerian context.
2. What are the major characteristics of Community Journalism?
3. Compare and contrast urban and community journalism.
4. List at least 10 urban and five community mass media.
5. Identify and explain the various divisions of a community newspaper
6. Compare the editorial department of community newspaper with a standard one.
7. List the key functionary personnel in community newspaper organization.
8. Describe the roles of editor, sub-editor and production editor in a community
newspaper
9. Identify a community, the newspaper that circulates to that community and the roles
played by the newspaper in that community.
10. How does a community newspaper socialize, entertain and unify community?
11. Explain, with examples, the kinds of contents mostly fund in community newspaper
12. What are the elements necessary for the front, back, editorial and inside pages of a
community newspaper?
13. Describe process involve in designing a community newspaper.
14. Proffer solutions to the rural and community newspaper’s circulation problems.
15. List five community newspapers that have been in circulation for more than five
years.
16. Illustrate the process of production of community newspaper.
17. What are the challenges of community newspaper production?
18. Describe platemaking in the production of community newspaper.
19. How important is the use of pictures in community newspaper?
20. What should be the focus of editorial of community newspaper?
Reading List
1. Adisa4 R. M. (2005) Fundamentals of Newspaper/Magazine Editing and Production.
Osogbo: positive Impact Publications, ISBN 978-32581-4-3.
2. Okoye4 I. (2004) Magazinology. Lagos: Mebyi & Associates, ISBN 978-35652-8-1.
3. Okoye4 I. (2000) Newspaper Editing and Production in the Computer Age. Lagos: Mbeyi
and Associate, ISBN: 978-34984-6-0.
4. Frost4 C. (2005) “Design for print media” in Richard K. (Ed.) Print Journalism A critical
introduction. London: Routledge, ISBN 0-203-00676-3.
5. Rudin4 R. and Ibbotson T. (2002) An Introduction to Journalism. Oxford: Focal Press, pp
86-89 ISBN 0 240 51634 6.
6. Fuller4 L. K. (2007) Community Media. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, ISBN-13: 978–
1–4039–7794–6
7. Odedeji4 A. (2003) Community and Rural Society: A Sociological Perspective in Oso L.
(Ed.) Community Media. Abeokuta: Jedididah Publishers, ISBN 978-2951-52-8.
8. Shepherd4 G. J. and Rothenbuhler, E. W. (2000) Communication and Community. New
Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, ISBN 0-8058-3138-X.
9. Anaeto S. G. and Solo- Anaeto M. (2010). Rural Community Newspaper Principles and
Practice. Ibadan: Stirling- Horden Publishers Ltd, ISBN: 978-032-745-2.
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KEY
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