Ohio University - M.A. in Communication and Development Studies

The Comm Dev curriculum includes four core courses as well as a colloquium, which meets every semester.  Taken during the first two semesters, the four core courses emphasise topics and proficiencies related to communication for development, strategic communications, and participatory research methods.  To suit their individual objectives and areas of specialisation, students then build upon this core by devising a curriculum that draws upon courses in graduate programmes from across the university. 

Although the total number of ‘specialisation’ courses varies by capstone track, approximately two-thirds of the courses that students take in the programme will be in their area of specialisation.

The four core courses required for this Masters programme are as follows:

Seminar in Communication & Development I and II: These courses provide an overview of the historical and contemporary nature of issues and theories that have influenced the field of development communication. The courses explore various topical areas considered relevant to the field at this time (e.g. Health Communication; ICTs and Development: Gender and Development; Strategic Communication; Communication Theory; etc.); the complex relationships between communication and socioeconomic development, and the role that communication plays in promoting (or impeding) social change and development.

Intro to Research Methods in Communication & Development: This course introduces students to basic principles associated with conducting graduate-level research, including identifying a research topic; accessing and critiquing scholarly research; writing a literature review; and research ethics. Students are also introduced to research design and to qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches to collecting and analysing data. Given the nature of the discipline, the course provides some emphasis on participatory research methods.

Intro to Audio & Video Production: An interdisciplinary communications course focusing on using various creative methodologies in audiovisual, digital production.  This course offers a flexible structure for hands-on work and collaborative projects. Goals include developing an understanding of how to edit image, sound & text; and using new skills in digital production to explore methods in documentary filmmaking, community video and digital storytelling.

Click here for more information about the curriculum and areas of specialisation.

Rather than expecting students to simply learn within the classroom, the programme encourages training that will support any given student’s professional aspirations. All students in the programme are strongly encouraged to identify an internship that relates to their professional/scholarly interests. Along these same lines, as part of the practical training emphasis of the programme and to support career, professional, and/or academic development, students are encouraged to be involved in a service learning activities in the local community.

The Director of the Programme is Lawrence E. Wood, Associate Professor, School of Media Arts and Studies.  Click here for more information about Professor Wood.

The programme has approximately 50 affiliated faculty at Ohio University, found in schools ranging from communication studies, to geography, to women’s and gender studies. Virtually all of the faculty involved in the programme have outstanding publication records, are involved in grant work that directly relate to the interests of students in the programme, and are strongly engaged with students through their teaching and advising.