COM 405: ADVANCED RADIO PRODUCTION - Course Outline

DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION

BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY

COURSE OUTLINE FOR COM 405:ADVANCED RADIO PRODUCTION

COURSE LECTURERS: DR. OGBU, BENJAMIN EJUWA & PATIENCE ACHAKPA-IKYO

COURSE DESCRIPTION

          This course is design to teach the mechanism involved in radio programme production. The goal is to afford students the opportunity to demonstrate the radio production skills they learnt in previous classes. The emphasis is on practical projects which are expected to be of professional standards.

          The course will concentrate on expanding programme writing experience, strengthening and refining broadcast communication skills, raising the level of professional performance and generally engendering greater confidence in communication. In this wise, the instructors supervision will be minimal to allow students work independently, simulating the professional situations they will find themselves when they graduate.

OUTLINE

(a)    General principles and theories: (a) Philosophy of broadcasting (b) The Broadcast Communication Chain (BCC)  (c) Broadcasting and Development

1.      Basic elements of radio production: (a) Human Voice (b) Music (c) SFX (d) The console (e) Tape recording and playback units  (f)Microphone

2.      Modern Radio Studio

3.      The Radio Producer

4.      Legal and Ethical production concerns

5.      Radio Programme Production (Practical)

6.      Radio Script Writing

7.      Remote or Outside Broadcasting (OB)

8.      Recorded versus Live On-air Production

9.      Preparing a Running Order and Programme Schedule

10.  Radio and the Web

(a)    Computer application in Radio Production: (a) Computer Basics (b) Computer Generated Effects (c) Computer Assisted Editing (d) Computer Application in On-Air Production (e) Computer in Programming Functions.

11.  Conference Play Back of Group Practical Projects

12.  General Review.

*Assessment:       Production project                   =       20 marks

                   Take Home Tests           =       10 marks

                   Class Attendance           =       10 marks

                   End of semester Examination  =       60 marks

Recommended Texts

·         David M. H and Robert E. R (1997) Modern Recording Techniques (fifth edition). New York: Focal Press

·         Ugande G. B. (2006) Braodcast Programme Writing and Production. Makurdi: AsaGod

·         Carl H., Philip B. and Lewis B. O. (2000) Modern Radio Production: Production, Programming, and Performance (fifth edition). United States: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.

·         Idebi, S. K. (2008) Fundamentals of Radio Production. Ibadan: Impact Motion Pictures & Media Koncept

Note: Students are encouraged to read widely and consult other books as well as on-line resources beyond the scope of the above recommended texts.