Course Justification
The right of all to
freely inform the public and to be informed is absolute, however, journalists
do this
with great risk
especially when gathering information in conflict situation. Therefore, the
strategies and rules require for successful coverage are important for all pro
spective Journalist
s.
Course Objectives
On completion of this course, the student should:
1.
Be
able
to examine the roo
ts and consequences of conflict;
2.
Understand
the power of t
he media in conflict escalation;
3.
Be
able to understand and apply relevant
theori
es to conflict situation;
4.
Be
able to identify things to consider when covering conflict
.
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 cou
rse;
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 discu
ssion 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,
small group exercises
and
joining and participating in online group discussion.
Lecture Content
s
Week 1:
Nature of Conflict
Objective
The objectives of this week lecture are to explain the meaning and
nature of conflict
. To
do th
is,
various definitions
and
examples of conflict
will be discussed.
Description
First Hour
Definition
of
conflict
.
Second
hour
Nature of conflict
History of conflict in Nigeria.
Study Questions
1.
Give five definitions of conflict.
2.
Trace the histor
y of
conflict
in Nigeria
3.
Describe the nature of conflict
in Nigeria
.
4.
Describe the nature of conflict in other African countries.
5.
List ten ongoing conflicts in Africa.
Reading List
1.
Ho
Won
3, 4
,3
,
J. (2008).
Understanding Conflict and Conflict
Analysis
. London: Sage
,
p.
2.
ISBN 978
1
4129
0308
0
2.
Jones
4
,
M.
and
. Fabian
A. C. (2006)
.
Conflict:
The Darwin College Lectures.
Cambridge:
C
ambridge University Press
,
p.
3.
ɪ
s
ʙɴ
13 978
0
511
13979
6.
3.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
3
(2010). Meaning of Conflict. Available:
http://en
.
wikipedia.org/wiki/conflict
meaning.
Week 2: Causes of Conflict
Objective
Students will be acquainted with what usual
ly cause conflict in Nigeria and other part of the
world.
Description
First Hour
The roles of religion, ethnic, politics, natural resources etc in conflicts in Nigeria.
Second hour
Stages of conflict
Study questions
1.
Identify the cause of Jos, Boko Ha
ram and Niger Delta conflicts in Nigeria.
2.
How will you describe the stage of Niger Delta conflict in the year 2011?
3.
What stage is Boko Haram conflict between January and September 2011?
4.
How genuine are the claimed cause of conflicts in Nigeria?
5.
What is th
e cause of Rwanda conflict?
Assignment
Analyze, with dates, the stages of Niger Delta conflict from the beginning.
Reading List
1.
Ho
Won
3, 4,
J. (2008).
Understanding Conflict and Conflict Analysis
.
London: Sage, pp 4
9. ISBN 978
1
4129
0308
0
.
2.
Jones
4
, M
.
and
. Fabian A. C. (2006)
.
Conflict
:
The Darwin College Lectures
.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp 5
10.
ɪ
s
ʙɴ
13 978
0
511
13979
6.
3.
LeBaron
3, 4
, M.
and Pillay
V. (2006)
.
Conflict across cultures: a unique experience of
bridging differences
. London: Intercultural Press, Pp. 11
19. ISBN
10: 1
931930
22
8.
Week
s
3 and 4:
C
onflict Analysis Framework
Objective
s
The main objectives of this week are to enable students understand
conflicts
from the
perspectives of types
of parties and issues.
A
lso, to explain
differing de
grees of complexity
in
conflict situations and outcome
.
Description
First Hour in Week 3
Focu
s and elements of analysis
Second Hour
in Week 3
Parties,
Goals, Issues and Interests involve in conflict.
First Hour in Week 4
Conflict Situations and Behaviour
Second Hour
in Week 4
Socio
psychological approaches to conflict
Study questions
1.
Identify
key actors in Jos, Niger Delta conflicts.
2.
Analyze
the actors from the following perspectives; interests, and values.
3.
What are the key determinants of conflict behavior?
4.
Explain the elements for analyzes of conflict.
5.
Identify issues at the front burner of J
os conflict.
6.
What will you
identify as the major interests of Boko Haram militants?
7.
What is your source of the facts?
8.
Proffer solutions to Boko Haram conflict.
9.
Proffer solutions to the protracted Jos conflict.
10.
Describe socio
psychological approaches to con
flict.
Reading Lists
1.
Ho
Won
3, 4,
J. (2008).
Understanding Conflict and Conflict Analysis
. London: Sage, pp
.
20
26. ISBN 978
1
4129
0308
0.
2.
Jones
4
, M.
and
. Fabian A. C. (2006)
.
Conflict:
The Darwin College Lectures
.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
pp
.
15
24.
ɪ
s
ʙɴ
13 978
0
511
13979
6.
3.
Jussim
3, 4
,
L.
, Ashmore, R
. D., and
Wilder
D.
(2001)
.
Social Identity,
Intergroup
Conflict, and
Conflict Reduction
.
Oxford:
Oxford University Press, pp. 3
7. ISBN 0
19
513742
6; 0
19
513743
4
Week 5:
Power of the Media
Object
ives
The objectives of this week lecture are to appraise the power and influence of mass
media in
relation to emergence of conflict in some African countries such as Rwanda, Serbia and
others.
Description
First Hour
Description a
nd history of Rwanda and Se
rbia
Second Hour
Influence of media in the Rwanda genocide
.
Media manipulation of Serbia war.
Study Questions
1.
Describe how radio was used to lay the groundwork for genocide in Rwanda.
2.
How did television influence and stir up war in Serbia?
3.
Describe tri
bal
set up of Rwanda before the conflict.
4.
How did the media manipulate Serbia war?
5.
What was the main cause of Rwanda conflict?
Reading Lists
1.
Caplan
3,
G. (
2001
)
.
Rwanda: Walking the Road to Genocide. In Thompson A. (ed.)
The
Media and the Rwanda Genocide
.
London: Pluto Press, pp.
20
26
. ISBN
10 0 7453 2626
9
.
2.
Thompson
3,
A. (2001)
.
The Media and the Rwanda Genocide
. London: Pluto Press, pp.
1
10
. ISBN
10 0 7453 2626 9.
Week 6:
News as source of conflict
Objectives
Student will be acquainted with the ser
ies
of unconscious roles of
journalists, through news
stories, that prop up conflict. Also, the best way to gather and
present accurate and impartial
news
is part of the task for this week.
Description
First Hour
Journalism’s unconscious roles
.
Second Hou
r
News sources in conflict news gathering
Attribution of sources
Study questions
1.
What are elements of conflict resolution that good journalism can deliver, automatically,
as part of its daily work?
2.
Why is it important for Journalists to seek out other par
ties and other points of view while
gathering facts for story?
3.
State different ways of attributing sources.
Reading List
1.
Adisa,
4
R. M. (2003)
.
News writing and Reporting: A Step
by
Step Approach
. Osogbo:
Voice Publication, pp. 106
108. ISBN: 978
-
31581
4
3.
2.
Howard
4,
R.
(2003)
.
Conflict sensitive journalism.
Canada
:
Impacts, pp
.
10.
ISBN 87
989502
0
7
Week 7: T
heoretical perspectives
Objectives
T
he
objectives of this week lecture are
to apply different theories to the situation of conflict. To
do this, the
class will identify through theories
,
possible conflict behaviuor, so that we would be
to able to explain why a particular conflict exist.
Description
First Hour
Rationality of
Theory of
Conflict behavior
Second Hour
Agenda Setting Theory
Second Level
Agenda Setting Theory
Framing Theory
Study questions
1.
Describe conflict behavior theory’s proposition.
2.
Examine conflict behavior theory’s relevance to Jos and Boko Haram conflicts.
3.
Define framing theory and explain how journalists frame news story about con
flict.
4.
What is agenda setting theory?
Reading List
1.
Bartos
4,
O. and Wehr P. (2002)
.
Using Conflict Theory
. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press, pp.7
10. ISBN O521 791162
.
Week
s
8
9:
Things to consider when covering conflict
Objective
These weeks, s
tuden
t
s
will be taught the full effects of conflict on different constituency groups
,
how
to a
voiding bias in reporting conflict,
how
to r
eflect conflict’s plurality
and how to avoid
use of extreme language
.
Description
First hour in week 8
Effects of conflict
on the society
Second
hour in week 8
Reflecting conflict plurality
First hour in week 9
Extreme language in conflict reporting
Second
hour in week 9
Implication
of use of extreme language
Study Questions
1.
How will you describe the effect of conflict i
n Jos and Bornu State on the
socioeconomics of the citizens?
2.
List the areas of bias in news reporting.
3.
Describe how partiality comes into the report about
conflict.
4.
Uncontrolled languages from the media contribute to the conflict, explain
5.
What are the impl
ications of extreme language often used by the media?
Reading List
1.
Webel,
4
C. and Galtung J. (2007)
.
Handbook of Peace and
Conflict
Studies
.
Canada:
Routledge
2.
Adisa,
4
R. M. (2003)
.
News writing and Reporting: A Step
by
Step Approach
. Osogbo:
Voice Pub
lication, pp. 106
108. ISBN: 978
31581
4
3.
3.
Howard
4,
R. (2003)
.
Conflict sensitive journalism
.
Canada: Impacts, pp. 10. ISBN 87
989502
0
7
.
Week
s
10
11:
Bias in conflict reporting
Objectives
The objectives of these weeks are to acquaint students with
the
ways and methods of bias by
journalists
and
news producers
.
Also to scrutinize
newspapers, television and radio for delibera
te
slanting of news.
Description
First hour in week 10
Definition of media bias
Detect
ing
Bias in the News
First hour in week
10
Bias through selection and omission
Bias through placement
Bias by headline
First hour in week 11
Bias by photos, captions
and camera angles
Bias by source control
Bias through statistics and crowd counts
Second
hour in week 11
Locating bias in newspapers and television
Study Questions
1.
Define bias.
2.
What is bias in relation
to
news coverage?
3.
Explain how to detect bias in the
news
4.
How can Journalists avoid bias in the coverage of conflict news?
5.
Identify bias in headline
s
and photos in an edition of a newspaper.
6.
Describe bias by source control.
7.
How does the bias through captions and camera angles occure?
8.
Bias by headline is wh
at?
Reading List
1.
Adisa,
4
R. M. (2003)
.
News writing and Reporting: A Step
by
Step Approach
. Osogbo:
Voice Publication, pp. 106
108. ISBN: 978
31581
4
3.
2.
Editions of Nigerian Newspapers and Magazines
3
3.
Wikipedia,
the
free
encyclopedia
3
(2008).
Media
Bias.
Available:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/media
bias
Week
s
12
and 13
:
Issues
and challenges involve in conflict reporting
Objectives
The objective
s
of studen
t learning
in
week
s
12 and 13
will
focus on th
e examination of the
involvement of various stake holders in the emergence, escalation
and resolution of conflict.
Description
First Hour in Week
12
The roles of
government and the law
Legal instrument that will empower and enable Journalists to have acc
ess to official information
during crisis situations
Second Hour in Week
12
The roles of media owners
before and during conflict
Resources
, equipment and
insurance cover for journalists covering potentially hazardous
assignments
First Hour in Week 13
The
roles of editors and reporters
in conflict situation
Principle of fairness and accuracy
Sensationalism in casting headlines of crisis reports
Editorial independence
Second Hour in Week 13
The roles of media organizations
Mechanism for enforcing the code
of conduct for journalists in conflict coverage
Study Questions
1.
List the stake holders involve in ensuring proper coverage of conflict.
2.
Explain the challenges as well as the roles of various stake holders in a society
engulfed
in conflict.
3.
What are the ro
les of government and the law in conflict?
4.
What are the legal instrument for journalist
5.
Describe, with examples, sensationalism headlines of conflict stories.
6.
Who should enforce editorial independence in the reportage of conflict?
7.
What are the roles of e
ditor and reporter in conflict?
8.
State the
code of conduct for journalists
.
Reading List
1.
UNESCO
4
(2006)
.
Handbook for Journalists
. France: UNESCO
, pp. 93
98.
2.
Reuters
4
(2006)
.
Reporters Handbooks
. London: Reuters Limited pp. 23 ISBN: 16296
01
06
Week 14:
Safety of Journalists Covering Conflicts
Objectives
The main objectives of this week are to enable students understand safety guidelines
require
when covering demonstrations that could turn violent
or when involve in covering armed
conflicts
.
Descriptio
n
First Hour
Charter for the safety of Journalists in war zones
Second Hour
Basic rules for Journalists
in conflict assignment
Physical safety of journalists
Study Questions
1.
State the international law provisions for the protection of Journalist
2.
If you a
re involved in covering armed conflicts, what are the basic rules to follow?
3.
Describe the charter for the safety of journalist.
4.
List the basic rules for journalist
covering conflict
.
5.
What are the physical safety precautions for journalists?
Reading List
U
NESCO
4
(2006) Handbook for Journalists. France: UNESCO, pp. 93
98.
Reuters
4
(2006) Reporters Handbooks. London: Reuters Limited pp. 23 ISBN: 16296
01
06
Week 15: Revision
Objectives
Students would be expected to
seek for
clarification and
more
explanation on any difficult topic
treated between weeks 1
14.
Revision
questions
1.
Give five definitions of conflict.
2.
Trace the history of conflict in Nigeria
3.
How will you describe the stage of Niger Delta conflict in the year 2011?
4.
What are the key dete
rminants of conflict behavior?
5.
Why is it important for Journalists to seek out other parties and other points of view
while
gathering facts for story?
6.
Examine conflict behavior theory’s relevance to Jos and Boko Haram conflicts.
7.
List the areas of bias in n
ews reporting.
8.
How can Journalists avoid bias in the coverage of conflict news?
9.
Identify bias in headlines and photos in an edition of a newspaper.
10.
Explain the challenges as well as the roles of various stake holders in a society
engulfed
in conflict.
KEY
1.
Available in the University Library
2.
Available in local bookshops
3.
Available on the Web.
4.
Personal collection
5.
Departmental libraries