Minor in Communication Studies

The Minor in Communication Studies provides undergraduate students with a critical understanding of the role that communication media and communication technologies play in society. Specifically, it presents students with intellectually challenging and innovative instruction in key traditions of Communication and Media Studies and new theoretical and methodical approaches to the social life of communication technologies and the historical development and transformation of media and communication forms. Our courses are organized around three primary themes that address in a variety of ways media institutions, practices, and the representation and mobilization of social difference: History and Theory of Media; Media, Communication and Culture; and Power, Difference and Justice.

The Communications Minor is an academic program; that is, it does not offer professionally oriented courses designed specifically to prepare students to work in the radio, television, film, or telecommunications industries. Nor does it offer courses in journalism, public relations, or advertising, for example. However, some opportunities to gain useful experiences in these and other industries or careers are available by taking on internships: http://www.mcgill.ca/internships/. McGill also has a Career Placement Service (http://www.mcgill.ca/caps/) that helps students plan their futures.

The Minor in Communication Studies at McGill requires completion of 18 credits. Students must complete COMS 210 in addition to five other complementary courses selected from the list of offerings each semester. Download this program checklist for more information. Most have prerequisites and all classes have limited enrolment.

Finally, students considering going on an exchange should be sure to refer to McGill's Arts Faculty Residency Policy (http://www.mcgill.ca/study/2010-2011/faculties/arts/undergraduate/ug_arts_residency). Further information about the Study Away program may be found here: http://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/general/away/. Course approval forms for transfer credits are available here and here (for summer courses)

If you would like to join the electronic mailing list for the COMS Minor, please contact Ms. Susana Machado with the subject line: Subscribe to CS Minor listserv.

Feel free to contact the Undergraduate Program Director for more detail about the overall academic program of courses and course selections, the field of communication studies, graduate study and academic career planning, or inquiries regarding course equivalencies and inter-university transfer credits.

Undergraduate Program Director for Communication Studies:
Professor B. Lentz
Office: Arts W-265
Phone: (514) 398-4995
CSadvisor [dot] ahcs [at] mcgill [dot] ca (Email).