University of South Africa

Location

Department

Description

Since its establishment in 1969, the Department of Communication Science of the University of South Africa has grown considerably and distinguished itself as a dynamic and credible leader in the communication field. In keeping abreast with communication developments on a national and international level, the dynamism of the communication field and the growing emphasis on effective communication between individuals, in groups and in organisations, the Department of Communication Science today studies almost every aspect of the field of Communication Science.

An academic staff of 27 are responsible for providing education to an annual average of 19,000 undergraduate student registrations, 260 honours students and 30 Masters and doctoral students. Almost 70% of our students are from the previously disadvantaged communities, while student numbers from the rest of Africa are increasing. Being a distance education university, the majority of their students are already employed at various levels in the communication departments of private and public organisations, government departments, the media and entertainment industries, public relations, and the teaching professions.

The Department encourages and actively supports the drive for community services. It offers courses in communication skills (including the planning of communication campaigns), effective communication in organisations, and public speaking. The Department also presents practical workshops to students in community television, community radio and community journalism.

Programmes

1. BA in Communication Sciences - The course offers different modules including intercultural, development and health Communication. This module provides learners with knowledge of theories and research in the fields of intercultural, development and health communication, and enables them to apply these theories and research in the development of a multi-cultural society.
   
   Click here for more information.
   
   
2. Honours Degree in Communication Science - The degree BA Honours Communication consists of three specialisation areas: Media Studies, Organisational Communication, and Telecommunications and Information Policy. Students need to select a specialisation area and have to complete all five modules prescribed for that specialisation area.
   
   The curricula for the three specialisation areas are as follows:
   Media Studies:
   • Mass communication theory
   • Media research
   • Media management, policy and regulation
   • International communication and political communication
   • Advanced research project.
   Organisational Communication:
   • Integrated communication and the organisation
   • Organisational communication research
   • Organisational communication theory
   • Marketing communication, advertising and public relations
   • Advanced research project.
   Telecommunications and Information Policy:
   • The application of theories of information and telecommunications policy to real life situations
   • Research methodology for telecommunications and information policy studies
   • The analysis of information communication technology (ICT) trends in developing countries
   • Assessing information and telecommunications regulations and trends
   • Advanced research project.
   Click here for more information on the Honours Programme.
   
   
3. Masters Degree - Communication Science - In the case of a research Master's study, a detailed dissertation on an approved research topic is required. In the dissertation the student must show mastery of subject literature, mastery of methodology and research techniques, and the ability to work independently.
   
   Masters restricted to students who are in possession of an Honours BA degree in Communication, or the equivalent thereof (4-year degree with Communication as a major) at UNISA or another university, and obtained an average of at least 60% for the Honours examination.
   
   
4. Doctor of Literature and Philosophy - In the case of Doctor’s study, a detailed thesis on an approved research topic is required. In the thesis the student must make a theoretically and methodologically sound contribution to the subject literature of a specific topic; and/or make a contribution to the refining of existing research techniques, experimentation thereof, or the creation of new methods and techniques for the practice of the subject; and/or make a contribution to problem solving in the field of Communication.
   
   Doctor is restricted to students who are in possession of an MA degree in Communication, or the equivalent thereof and obtained a pass mark of at least 60%.
   
   Cick here for more information on the Masters and Doctorate Programme.

Contact

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