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GSMC-KE | Digital Journalism

Welcome to Master of Arts in Digital Journalism is a two-year, part-time programme fostering specialised problem-solving skills and innovation in research and journalistic practice. It seeks to foster a diverse cadre of media leaders and professionals acr

Course Description

This course challenges students to identify universal characteristics of the media, while understanding the distinctive features of how they function in developing societies and economies. It highlights the relationship between the media and theories of global development through examination of a range of case studies. It reviews the history and present role of mass media in the developing world, especially Africa, addresses the tensions between 'media for development' and 'communication for development', while challenging mainstream development perspectives on the role of media and communication in low-income countries and unequal social contexts. The course offers a critique of the scholarly and policy oriented literature that regards the media, information, and communication strategies, and information and communication technology applications, as obvious means of alleviating poverty and fostering democracy as well as human rights in low-income countries. It offers alternative theorisations of the contested way in which developments in these areas become embedded in the cultural and social fabric, especially where poverty and unequal power relations influence the capacities of individuals to make changes in their lives.

Required Readings

Abrahamson, R. (2000). Disciplining democracy: development discourse and good governance in Africa. London: Zed Books.

Call Number: HC 800 .A37 2000

Carah, N. & Louw, E. (2015). Media & society: production, content & participation. London: Sage.

Call Number: HM 1206 .C37 2015

Slater, D. (2013). New media, development and globalization: making connections in the global south. Cambridge, UK: Polity.

Call Number: HN 981.M3 .S53 2013

Wasserman, H. (2010). Popular media, democracy and development in Africa. London: Routledge.

Call Number: P 95.82.A4 .P67 2011

 

Recommended Readings

Hemer, O. and Tufte, T. (Eds.) (2005). Media and global change: rethinking communication for development. Buenos Aires: CLACSO and NORDICOM.

International Commission for the Study of Communication Problems. (2004). Many voices, one world: communication and society, today and tomorrow; towards a new more just and more efficient world information and communication order. Kogan Page, London: Unipub.

Locksley, G. (2009). The media and development: what's the story? Washington, DC: The World Bank.

Call Number: HN 981.M3 .L63 2009

Manyozo, L. (2012). Media, communication and development: three approaches. New Delhi: SAGE Publications. HD 76 .M36 2012

 

Sparks, C. (2007). Globalization, development and the mass media. Los Angeles: Sage Publications. HM 1206 .S63 2007

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Contact:
FHS Library, Nairobi
Email: library.department@aku.edu
Tel: +254 20 366 2039