Communications for Social Change
This course intends to introduce students to theories and practice of communication in social change. Special attention is placed on the meanings of communication and social change in a rapidly globalised and digitised world.
Course coordinator: Dr Collen Chambwera
Email: [email protected]
Course codes: (SLLS7078A / JOMS7027A)
2026 information: Second semester (20 July – 27 October), Thursdays, 4 – 6pm, 10th Floor Drum Room
Course Overview
The course addresses how communication for social change operates in different forms of media – mass communication, digital media and alternative media. It focuses on areas such as the history of communication and social change, communication for development, societal processes influencing communication for social change, pro-poor communication in the global South, participatory communication, citizen power and social movements. The ultimate purpose of the Module is for students to apply theoretical models of social change and communication for development to particular empirical examples from the real world.
Projected Outcomes
After the completion of this course the student must be able to:
• Define the interrelationship between communication and social change
• Describe theories and practices of communication for development
• Understand how citizens, NGOs and social movements use communication for social change
• Critically debate the role of communication for social change
• Critically discuss the role of journalism in social change
Course Content
• Introduction to Communication and Social Change
• Communication for Development Models
• Societal changes influencing Communication and Social Change
• Social Movements, Communication and Social Change
• Participatory communication and social change
• Cultures of governance
• Towards a new paradigm and praxis in communication and social change
• Journalism for social change
• Solutions journalism and citizen journalism for citizen participation
• Art, music, and theatre in communications initiatives and advocacy
• Campaign presentation and discussion