International Communications and Development MA

Who is it for?

This course is for students looking to explore international development through a communications lens as well as to assess the role that the media play in development and policy making.

At a time when ideas about freedom of expression, democracy, human rights and access to natural and material resources guide development projects across the world, the question about the role of media and communications for social change becomes ever more pertinent. As a result, this MA will particularly appeal to you if you have an interest in communication studies and cross-disciplinary interests in development studies, sociology and politics.

Objectives:

The International Communications and Development MA provides will provide you with skills to help you to:

• Gain an overview of the main issues in the field on International Communications and Development.
• Develop a broad interdisciplinary overview of developments in broadcasting, telecommunications, the press and information technology.
• Conduct detailed analysis of sectors or issues of your own choice, drawing on economics, political science, international relations, development theory, sociology and law.
• Analyse the main directions of media and communication issues in Britain, the USA, the EU, and countries of your own interest.
• Develop the ability to participate in policy making and evaluation in the context of changing national and global geopolitics and economic relations.
• Gain the relevant skills for employment in government information departments, communications regulatory agencies, mass media organisations, public relations, advertising, academic and professional research.

Teaching and learning:

You will learn through a combination of lectures, interactive sessions, practical workshops and small-group classes supported by a personal tutorial system. You are encouraged to undertake extensive reading in order to understand the topics covered in lectures and classes and to broaden and deepen your knowledge of the subject. Outside of class, you are expected to engage in independent study: read from the set module bibliography, prepare your class participation, collect and organise source material for your coursework, and plan and write your coursework.

The Department also runs a personal tutorial system, which provides support for teaching and learning and any problems can be identified and dealt with early.

During the second term the Department offers a Dissertation Workshop to guide you on your dissertation outline.

Career prospects:

Graduates of this MA have entered a wide variety of careers, including:

• The civil service
• Broadcasting
• Press and telecoms networks
• NGOs
• The development sector and consultancies
• Advertising
• Marketing
• Politics
• Journalism
• PR
• Media management
• Regulatory agencies

Recent graduate positions include:

• Fundraising and Communications Officer at Alone in London
• Communications Specialist at Government Division of Health and Social Services
• Civil Servant at Seoul Metropolitan Government.