The department of
communication studies at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is a research
oriented department, which offers an undergraduate BA program, as well as graduate
programs leading to an MA and PhD in communication studies.
Faculty members conduct
research in a variety of fields including the intersection of media with
minorities, children, the elderly, people with disabilities and people with
social stigmas. Studies on media institutions, media epistemology, media and
memory, media and justice and media and social activism characterize the work
of other senior faculty.
The undergraduate
program is a dual-major program. Students combine their communication studies major
with majors in sociology, psychology, politics, middle eastern studies, education,
management and more. The curriculum focuses on introducing basic concepts,
providing theoretical knowledge, and equipping the students with analytical
tools that allow the wise and critical consumption and use of the media.
The courses are mostly
organized in three areas: new media, new media industries, and multiculturalism
in media. they include courses on media and Israeli Arabs, the LGBTQ community,
immigrants, the Ultra-Orthodox, the disabled, and the elderly; on the film,
television, newspaper and new media industries; and on the changing role of
media in the lives of citizens and consumers.
The program is
academic in nature (as opposed to skill-centered), yet it aims to enable
students to find their place in the media industries, in newspapers, broadcast
networks, public relations offices, advertising agencies and new media outlets
as they are recognized for their broad understanding of the field.
As
such, the program offers practical experience in media activism, through work
with NGOs and campaigns and operates a joint program with “Radio Darom,” the
local radio station of Beer Sheva.
All classes are taught
in Hebrew.
The MA program is
designed to allow working students to take part in it as well, as all courses
are offered on one day. It is a two-year program, which has a research track,
leading to the writing of a thesis, and a general non-thesis track. For PhD
studies students first need to identify a researcher in the department who will
serve as their adviser. The program is then tailored according to the interests
of each individual student. Competitive scholarships are available for both
programs.
