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Communication and Culture
Communications Studies Program
Degrees Offered
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
- Bachelor of Communications Studies (BCS)
- Co-operative Education Program
What is Communications Studies?
In Communications Studies, students use a variety of approaches to understand how knowledge and culture are produced and reflected in speech, writing, television, film, radio, digital media and interactive entertainment, the internet, and wireless networks. Our program is particularly strong in critical media studies, rhetorical studies, and the study of communication in the areas of health, science and technology.
Graduates of the program are flexible and articulate communicators, communication analysts and communication researchers in a wide variety of academic, public and professional contexts. Graduates have acquired a deep understanding of the complex world of communication, its dynamics and its impact on contemporary societies and cultures. They have gained the tools to explore, evaluate, and critically analyze various aspects and intersections of communication systems, skills in communication analysis and the ability to communicate ideas effectively and clearly.
In Communications Studies, you will study topics such as:
- How to write and speak effectively for a variety of audiences
- How mass media interact with culture
- How media of communication have evolved with society, and how society has been changed by media
- How to conduct qualitative and qualitative analysis of communication
- How to analyze communication in a critical manner
About the Degrees
The program offers two degrees, a four year Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Communications Studies (BCS) offered in partnership with SAIT Polytechnic. BCS students complete a highly defined set of core communications courses in the first two years of their studies, and transfer to the SAIT campus for their third and fourth years to complete a technical diploma as part of their university degree. The BA offers more opportunities for academic breadth and depth while the BCS offers more training in professional skills to complement your academic experience.
Why Choose the Communications Degree?
If you want a flexible liberal arts degree that helps you understand communications practices in an integrated context of historical, critical and analytic knowledge, this major will be appropriate.
Is This a Professional Degree?
Communications Studies is not intended to be a professional degree, so you will not receive specialized training in media production broadcasting, journalism, film, etc., nor training beyond an introductory level in public relations or organizational communication. The courses you will take emphasize a critical perspective on communication as a cultural process. It is this broad liberal arts focus that allows the degree to prepare you for a wide variety of careers including both print and electronic journalism, public relations, as well as in business, politics, media analysis, and other related fields.
If you want specific professional training in the communications industry, you will have to supplement your degree with other forms of education, or consider our joint Bachelor of Communications Studies degree offered in cooperation with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.
Career Paths
Graduates have gone into careers in the following areas:- Editor
- English as a Second Language Instructor
- External Communications Officer
- Marketing Coordinator
- Media Buyer
- Policy Analyst
- Public Relations Professional
- Publicity Assistant
- Staff Writer
- Technical Writer
- Volunteer Coordinator
- Website Administrator
Help With Finding a Job
How can I improve my chances of getting a job with my degree?
Although the breadth of knowledge that a Communications Studies degree represents may improve your flexibility and long-term career prospects, there is no substitute for a solid base of skills as a way to obtain an entry-level position.
To obtain that base:
- build up a writing portfolio containing samples of your best writing. This should ideally be non-academic writing and reflect your involvement in projects, organizations or activities outside of your course work.
- build a media portfolio containing samples of projects and work in video, photography, design or other multimedia.
- volunteer in communications-related areas
- apply for a position as a communications intern work with student clubs/organizations such as the Gauntlet, NUTV, Students in Communications, CJSW Radio, etc.
- take workshops & short courses in areas such as desktop publishing, fundraising, and designing a publicity campaign
- take a Communications Studies Co-op degree or the BCS degree
To Apply Click Here.
Have More Questions?
For comprehensive advising on your program of studies, contact:
Undergraduate Programs Office
4th Floor, MacEwan Student Centre
(403) 220-5881
http://www.ucalgary.ca/upo
For more details on the Communications Studies program, contact
Dr. Tania Smith
Program Co-ordinator
Phone: (403) 220-7774
Email: smit@ucalgary,ca
The Faculty of Communication and Culture has a Director of Students, a full-time faculty member whose job is to help you make the most of your experience as a student in C&C. If you have questions about academic mentoring, student success skills, extra-curricular involvement, transition from high school to university, or what life will be like as a Communication and Culture student, Dr. Dawn Johnston can help you out.
Please contact her at:
Dr. Dawn Johnston
Director of Students
Phone: (403) 220-3199
Email: debjohns@ucalgary.ca
For more course information visit the University Calendar.