Make sense of your world.
Communication Studies focuses on the social, technological, political and cultural implications of current and changing communicative practices and networks.
With an emphasis on social and media-based communication, courses initiate a critical and creative understanding of digital, broadcast, print and mobile communication, and develop written and screens-based skills. These are central to comprehending the role of media and communication industries and practices in the wider context of society and culture.
Challenge your mind and broaden your views in a diverse, stimulating learning environment that demands you be critical, creative and innovative.
Communication studies is one of two majors offered by the Media, Film and Communication Studies Programme. The other major is Film and Media Studies.
Why study Media, Film and Communication?
Our courses will challenge your mind, broaden your views, and help you develop an increased awareness of transformations in society and culture.
Our goal is to prepare students to take their place as responsible and engaged citizens, who are critical, creative and innovative, equipped to connect with a diverse and fast-changing media world and to productively contribute to their communities and chosen professions. To serve this goal, our scholarship and teaching is interdisciplinary, inventive, and practical.
But that is not all that we do. Almost all employers look for fundamental life-long skills – literacy, numeracy, communication skills, the ability to lead and contribute to teams, as well as the ability to solve problems through dependable research. All of these skills are taught in our programme; they underlie most of what we do. We also value and develop an understanding of cultural diversity and differing perspectives, so it is not surprising that our graduates are to be found in many walks of life.
We have a well-established record of teaching and research, and staff who are internationally recognised in their disciplines.
Career opportunities
Our graduates work in a variety of fields,including media production, journalism, education, advertising, administration, archival and curatorial work, media policy analysis, public relations, tourism, and some go on to postgraduate study in our Honours, Masters and PhD programmes. A degree from our Programme prepares you for a wide range of career options, including career pathways that might not yet exist.
Background required
No prior background is required.
Teaching style
Our academic staff are experts in their fields (you can read about their areas of interest on our staff page on our website.) You will learn from the people who are doing the research. Our papers are designed to help you engage with cutting edge research and ideas through a range of coursework and assessment that will help you develop your written, oral and visual communication skills and critical competencies.
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
- Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
- Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
- Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
- Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework))
- Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Programme requirements
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Communication Studies
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | MFCO 102 Understanding Contemporary Media MFCO 103 Introduction to Communication Studies | 18 18 |
| 200-level | MFCO 202 Theory of Communication Studies Two further papers from 200-level MFCO papers, GEND 205 Gender and the Media | 18 36 |
| 300-level | MFCO 303 Critical Problems in Communication Studies Three further papers from 300-level MFCO papers, GEND 305 Gender and the Media | 18 54 |
| Plus | 198 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | 198 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) majoring in Communication Studies
| Papers |
|---|
|
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Communication Studies
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Communication Studies is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Communications Studies
| Papers |
|---|
GEND 401 or SCOM 409 may be substituted for one 400-level MFCO paper |
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)) in Communication Studies
| Thesis |
|---|
Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in Communication Studies or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Communication Studies must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in Communication Studies prior to undertaking the thesis. |
Minor subject requirements
Communication Studies as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | MFCO 102 Understanding Contemporary Media MFCO 103 Introduction to Communication Studies | 18 18 |
| Above 100-level | MFCO 202 Theory of Communication Studies Two further MFCO papers, of which one must be above 200-level Note: GEND 205 or 305 may be substituted for one MFCO paper at the same level. | 18 36 |
| Total | 90 |
Papers
| Paper code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MFCO101 | 2023 | Screen Form and Culture | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO102 | 2023 | Media, Power, Society | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO103 | 2023 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO201 | 2023 | The History of Film | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MFCO202 | 2023 | Theory of Communication Studies | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO203 | 2023 | Media History | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MFCO205 | 2023 | Communication Research Methods | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MFCO210 | 2023 | Theory of Film and Media | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO212 | 2023 | Media and Intercultural Communication | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO213 | 2023 | Media Genres | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO216 | 2023 | New Zealand Cinema | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MFCO217 | 2023 | Television Studies | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO220 | 2023 | Writing for the Media | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO222 | 2023 | Science, Technology, and Society | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO223 | 2023 | Documentary and Reality Media | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO224 | 2023 | Studying Selfies: Celebrity, Surveillance and Cyberspace | 18 points | Summer School |
| MFCO231 | 2023 | Special Topic: Journalism Now: Seeking the Truth in a World of Disinformation and Fake News | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MFCO242 | 2023 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MFCO251 | 2023 | Television Studio Production | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO301 | 2023 | Critical Problems in Film and Media | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO303 | 2023 | Critical Problems in Communication Studies | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO312 | 2023 | Communication and the City | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO313 | 2023 | Culture, Politics, Policy and Global Media | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO314 | 2023 | French Cinema | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MFCO315 | 2023 | Digital Media and Society | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO316 | 2023 | German Cinema | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MFCO317 | 2023 | Digital Culture | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MFCO318 | 2023 | Indigenous Media | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO319 | 2023 | Contemporary American Cinema | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO330 | 2023 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MFCO333 | 2023 | Film Festivals | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MFCO401 | 2023 | Advanced Media, Film and Communication Theory | 20 points | Full Year |
| MFCO406 | 2023 | Audience Studies | 20 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MFCO408 | 2023 | A Topic in Cinema, Gender and Sexuality | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO409 | 2023 | Advanced Media History | 20 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MFCO410 | 2023 | Documentary Film and Media | 20 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MFCO412 | 2023 | Communicating the Self | 20 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MFCO414 | 2023 | Discourse Theory and Practice | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| MFCO441 | 2023 | Special Topic: Digital Asia | 20 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MFCO490 | 2023 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year |
| MFCO590 | 2023 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period, 2nd Non standard period |
Key information for future students
Contact us
Media, Film and Communication Programme
School of Social Sciences
Web otago.ac.nz/mfco
