Doctor of Philosophy in Communication

Year 1, Fall Semester

9 credit hours

• 0809701Readings in Mass Communication and Public Relations3 credits

  The course surveys main books and other references, both classical and modern, in the fields of mass communication and public relations. The course examines major areas, theories, concepts, and tools in the main literature in the field. The course builds a solid base for knowledge and excellence in both theory and practice in modern media and public relations. Historical and social contexts of communication literature are also examined.

• 0809702Seminar in Contemporary Communication Theory3 credits

  The course examines the most current theories, scholarship, published research, trends, and issues in the field of communication theory. The course provides a firm foundation in the breadth of communication theories. This includes philosophical assumptions, social & cultural contexts and applications. The course also evaluates and critically examines the strengths and weaknesses of theory building as this applies to real communication problems in different cultural & socio-historical contexts.

• 0809703Statistics for Communication3 credits

  This course introduces students to foundational statistical concepts and provides applied experience with conducting, interpreting, and reporting results obtained from the most commonly used tests in the field of communication.

Year 1, Spring Semester

9 credit hours

• 0809704Seminar in Applied Quantitative Methods in Communication3 credits

  This course is designed to prepare students to undertake their own independent research. It aims at developing both students' critical thinking skills and their practical research skills. The course examines various stages of quantitative research, framing research questions, developing problem statements, choosing appropriate techniques for data collection and analysis, and knowing how to apply research methods in practice. It surveys a wide range of research tools and approaches commonly used in media and communication studies, such as survey, content analysis, and experimental research.

• 0809705Seminar in Applied Qualitative Methods in Communication3 credits

  This course examines the goals, epistemology, and methods of qualitative inquiry in communication. It involves field observations, in-depth interviews, case studies, and critical content analyses. The course includes strengths and limitations of different qualitative research methodologies and highlights distinctive contributions of qualitative research to the theory and practice of communication.

• 1 Elective3 credits

Year 2, Fall Semester

6 credit hours The Comprehensive Exam is graded Pass/Fail.

• 0809706Comprehensive Exam
• 1 Elective3 credits
• 1 Elective3 credits

Year 2, Spring Semester

6 credit hours

• 0809709Dissertation3 credits

  Dissertation Seminar is intended to assist doctoral students in preparing a dissertation proposal and facilitate the transition from coursework to dissertation. Completing a dissertation successfully is the last and often most challenging part of doctoral studies. The goal is to put one's theoretical knowledge and research proficiency to practical test by carrying out an independent, guided project that produces an original piece of research and makes a significant contribution to solving a problem and expanding the knowledge base in the specific discipline.

• 1 Elective3 credits

Year 3

The study plan’s Year 3 table (Fall and Spring semesters) is published without course entries.

Elective courses

The study plan has four elective slots: one in the Year 1 spring semester, two in the Year 2 fall semester and one in the Year 2 spring semester. The programme page describes these elective courses:

• 0800711Integrated Strategic Communication3 credits

  The course examines all phases of integrated strategic communication and its role in contemporary business and society. It includes a historical and socio-cultural overview of advertising, public relations, sales promotion, and direct response marketing, exploring their interrelationships. The course covers strategic planning for integrated communication, message approaches, foundations in theories of persuasion and information processing, characteristics of message delivery systems, and ethics, regulations, and the economic and social impacts of the industries.

• 0800712Ethical Problems in Communication3 credits

  The course is designed to give students an overview of one of the most important ethical issues in modern media practices. The course will explore the gamut of ethical issues and problem-solving in communications.

• 0800713Seminar in Health Communication3 credits

  This course is designed to advance knowledge of health communication theory, research, and practice. It provides a solid foundation for evaluating and conducting health communication campaigns, including planning, initiation, and assessment. The course also focuses on various contexts of health communication, including interpersonal, small group, mass media, and organizational communication for message generation, persuasion, and effects.

• 0800714Communication Technology and Social Media3 credits

  This seminar examines the role of communication technologies in society and culture, with a particular emphasis on the technologies of the "social networks society." The course covers the social and cultural influences that have shaped the development of various new media, information, and communication technologies, and the social and cultural impacts of those technologies.

• 0800715Special Topics in Communication3 credits

  This course investigates topics related to contemporary issues in mass communication and public relations. Topics include the influence of technological evolution driving the development of communication and media, and their contribution to cultural change both locally and abroad. The course is loosely structured to allow students to investigate topics in detail.

• 0800716Rhetorical Communication3 credits

  This course provides a foundation for the humanistic study of communication, starting from classical notions of rhetoric and civic life in ancient Greece and extending this analysis to our current global community. The course introduces rhetorical concepts, theorists, and vocabulary, tracing significant contributions in rhetorical theory and understandings of the public sphere.

• 0800717Communication and Political Economy3 credits

  This course explores topics in the political economy of information and communication in contemporary society. It surveys economic and socio-political issues relating to the globalization of the information and communication market, focusing on power relationships between producers, owners, and consumers in the production, distribution, and sale of information.

• 0800718Women Studies in Communication3 credits

  This course offers an introduction to Women's and Gender Studies, an interdisciplinary academic field that explores critical questions about the meaning of gender and images of women in language and media. It familiarizes students with key issues, questions, and debates in Women's and Gender Studies scholarship, both historical and contemporary.

• 0800719Seminar in Global Communication3 credits

  This course examines globalization theory, the global media landscape, and social media from political, economic, technological, and cultural perspectives. It investigates the relationship between national, regional, and global media systems and media markets in terms of flows, contra-flows, and the digital divide.

• 0800720Seminar in Development Communication3 credits

  This course traces the theory and research in development communication. It provides theoretical knowledge and practical competencies in communication, media, culture, development, social change, and globalization. The role of mass media in agriculture, health, education, and socio-economic development is thoroughly examined.