​​​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.