Masters in Communication

  Institution: Taylor’s University

This programme explores the nature and functions of communication with a focus on the knowledge and skills required to excel in the fields of communication and media in today’s society. It includes practical input from industry professionals and in-depth analysis of case studies and key issues in the constantly changing media landscape. Students will discover, discuss and examine how communication and the media environment affect our economic growth, political scene, law and policy trends, and cultural and social systems.

Graduates of this programme will have the competencies necessary to tackle contemporary communication issues and enjoy a competitive advantage in the workplace.

What will you gain?

Focus on Media and Communication Aspects

• Cultivate communication-minded graduates through exposure to corporate communication strategy, organisational communication practice and media management modules.

Contemporary Theories and Approaches

• Exposure to contemporary approaches to communication such as Reputation Management, Issues in New Media, International and Cross-Cultural Communication and Advanced Psychology for Communication.
• Covers current issues of concern and the latest trends in the industry through a range of activities, such as research works, speaker series and conferences by international researchers and industry experts within the field of communication.

Strategic Communications

• The curriculum provides an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of media and communications. Emphasis is placed on decision-making abilities in strategic roles, specifically abilities to analyse, develop and execute effective strategies for business operations.
• Develop skilled graduates who can identify research methods appropriate to communication and media; and apply this knowledge to practical problems arising in communications and media industries.

Two Study Options

The Masters in Communication programme takes two forms:

• Coursework mode caters to those who prefer coursework over in-depth research study.
• Mixed mode is ideal for students who have basic research knowledge, enjoy conducting in-depth research and aspire to be academics and/or pursue advanced doctoral studies in the future.

Who should apply?

This programme is ideal for professionals who are currently employed or seeking employment in the fields of communication and media, recent graduates of undergraduate communication programmes and those interested to pursue a new communication- and media-related career path.

Programme Structure

COURSEWORK

• FOUNDATION MODULES (2)
• CORE MODULES (6)
• ELECTIVES MODULES (1)
• Capstone Project in Communication

MIXED MODE

• FOUNDATION MODULES (1)
• CORE MODULES (2)
• ELECTIVES MODULES (2)
• Thesis

Career Opportunities

• Media Specialist
• Sales and Promotion Manager
• Public Relations Consultant
• Account Manager
• Corporate Communication Manager
• Senior Media Planner
• Brand Manager
• Creative Director
• Marketing Communication Director
• Strategic Corporate Communication Director

Course Synopsis

• Advanced Communication Theories
  This module introduces various theories, concepts and models related to mass media, new media, interpersonal communication, intercultural communication and sociology. Students will learn about the latest developments in these theories and their application issues so they can build a strong theoretical foundation in conducting research.
• Advanced Psychology for Communication
  This module introduces the theories and concepts of psychology that are related to the field of communication, including learning how media plans are developed and used. It trains students to sharpen their critical rationality in analysing, planning and executing ideas.
• Capstone Project in Communication
  This module is designed to give students an opportunity to undertake an extended piece of research and analysis. It is intended as an integrative experience that allows them to bring together knowledge and skills acquired from all the courses they have completed. The research work focuses on a particular area of interest in the field of communication and may be related directly to a present or future work/industry situation.
• Corporate Communication Strategy
  This module is designed to hone students’ awareness of past and current communication strategies and teach them how to develop new strategies to handle the growth in communication technology. They will be challenged to think in a fresh, strategic way and trained to prepare strategic communication plans that target the right audience at the right time using the right channels. They will also delve into ethical considerations in implementing communication strategies, especially in dealing with corporate reputation, media relations, internal communication and investor and government relations, while at the same time considering communication imperatives during crisis situations.
• International and Cross-Cultural Communication
  This module is designed to foster an understanding and critical evaluation of traditional and emerging perspectives on international and cross-cultural communication. It enables students to develop a theoretically grounded, historically specific and practice-oriented understanding of cultural, societal and behavioral differences, as well as stimulates reflection about why such an understanding is important to communication scholars and practitioners in today’s increasingly global and multi-cultural society.
• Issues in New Media
  This module focuses on helping students develop a critical understanding of the different issues in new media technologies. It introduces core ideas and debates that surround the technological and cultural media shifts, as well as analyses the different cultural practices brought about by these changes.
• Media Management
  This module is designed to give students an in-depth look at the major areas of responsibility of managers of media organisations, including leadership, motivation, financial and budget planning, marketing and strategic management. It examines media-based cases that promote the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Addressing topics like diversity, group cultures, progressive discipline, training, ethics, new media and market-driven journalism, this module provides real world scenarios to prepare students to deal with challenges effectively in their future careers.
• Organisational Communication Practice
  This module focuses on an innovative and integrated study of communication theory, policy and practice. It provides an understanding of the research findings, theories and models of communication in organisations by exploring the principles and practice of organisational communication and examining the impact of organisational culture and structure on the communication process.
• Political Communication
  This module focuses on examining the communication involved in the varied contexts of politics to enable students to become more informed users and consumers of political messages. They will be exposed to relevant theories and ideas, and challenged to apply their knowledge to address current political issues. This module also explores the mediated nature of modern political communication, the communication styles and strategies of campaign-related contexts, the current techniques used by political and social actors in both traditional and new media, research methods in political communication and issues in political marketing and election campaigns.
• Qualitative Research Methodology
  This module introduces students to the principles and best practices of qualitative research designs and methodologies. Specifically, it provides a thorough overview of various theories, concepts, models and frameworks necessary to conduct qualitative research. Topics of study include Introduction to Qualitative Research, Approaches to Research, Planning and Designing Qualitative Research, History of Qualitative Research, Qualitative Methods, Autoethnography and Interpretation/(Re)construction of Qualitative Empirical Materials. A selection of case studies will be presented and discussed to bridge theoretical concepts and practical applications.
• Quantitative Data Analysis
  This module is designed to approach statistics from a problem-solving perspective. Emphasis is placed on selecting appropriate statistical techniques for various research designs such as the measurement of complicated data sets, hypothesis development, model development and testing. Students will focus on the analysis of psychometric properties of models, multiple regression analysis and computer data analysis (using SPSS, Microsoft Excel and Lisrel).
• Reputation Management
  This module focuses on branding and the strategic management and tactical approach to reputational management. It gives students a detailed look at the major issues of managing the reputation of brands and organisations and examines how organisations achieve “goodness” through reputation, reputation management and reputation strategies. This module presents a contemporary model of strategic reputation management, which helps organisations and stakeholders analyse the business environment as a communicative field of symbols and meanings. It also addresses real world issues of reputation management to help students develop strong strategies and be well equipped to anticipate and tackle the challenges of building, maintaining and recovering the reputation of brands and organisations.
• Research Methods
  This module is designed to teach students the measurement of complicated data sets, hypothesis development, model development and testing. Specifically, it focuses on the analysis of psychometric properties of models and multiple regression analysis. Emphasis is placed on the application of these research tools to solve problems and provide solutions in a communication context.

Source: Taylor’s University