School of Media and Communication

Courses Required for Ph.D. and Master’s Programs

MC 6000: Introduction to Media & Communication 
Provides an overview of the history of communication studies that includes research areas and a survey of theories and methods. Acquaints students with graduate faculty and their research interests. Cultivates students' scholarly writing and research skills.

MC 6300: Social Scientific Research Methods
Applies social scientific methods to communication research problems.

MC 6400: Humanistic Research Methods
Introduces and examines specific techniques and applications for various qualitative and critical methods for conducting research in communication studies such as: documentary/bibliographic and legal methods, ethnography, historiography, interviewing, media criticism, participant observation, rhetorical criticism, and feminist approaches.

Courses Required for Ph.D. Program

MC 6100: Philosophical Foundations of Communication Theory
Examines philosophical foundations of communication theory development. Introduces multiple schools of thought and paradigmatic perspectives that inform our foci in communication and culture and media studies.

Course Required for all Graduate Teaching Assistants

MC 6200: Communication Pedagogy
Designed for potential college teachers of communication courses, it offers research, theory, methods, issues, and practical tips.

Topics Courses Typically Offered*

MC 6010: Rhetorical Criticism
Perspectives and methods of rhetorical criticism with applications to rhetorical practice.

MC 6510: Contemporary Rhetorical Theory
Examination of major rhetorical theorists of the 20th century: Richards, Weaver, McGree, Condit, Burke. Emphasis on central themes, problems, similarities, and differences.

MC 6560: Health Communication
Introduction to health communication from the communication perspective. Course will expose the student to past and current research in the field of health communication and will require the student to apply various methodologies in a related research project.

MC 6570: Intercultural Communication
Introduction to intercultural communication from the communication perspective. Course will cover past and current research with attention to theories and methodologies. Course will require a research project or proposal.

MC 7110: Mass Communication
Advanced study of mass communication theory.

MC 7630: Seminar in International Development
Study of selected topics in international development communication.

MC 7650: International Media
Study of the development, objectives, structures, policies, and operations of key regional and global external media operations. Emphasis on relations of international media to propaganda, education, development, and research.

MC 7670: Health Communication Campaigns
Theory and practice of communication to influence public opinion and to change behavior. Social marketing campaigns are emphasized.

*Courses listed above are not offered every academic year. Graduate courses in the School of Media and Communication are determined based on the needs of current graduate students.

* For a complete list of courses, please go to http://webapp.bgsu.edu/courses/indexps.php