University of South Africa

Department: Department of Communication

Location: The University is located in Pretoria. It has provincial centres in Cape Town, Durban and Pietersburg, Nelspruit and Umtata.

Description: Since its establishment in 1969, the Department of Communication Science of the University of South Africa has grown considerably and distinguished itself as a dynamic and credible leader in the communication field. In keeping abreast with communication developments on a national and international level, the dynamism of the communication field and the growing emphasis on effective communication between individuals, in groups and in organisations, the Department of Communication Science today studies almost every aspect of the field of Communication Science.

An academic staff of 27 are responsible for providing education to an annual average of 19,000 undergraduate student registrations, 260 honours students and 30 Masters and doctoral students. Almost 70% of our students are from the previously disadvantaged communities, while student numbers from the rest of Africa are increasing. Being a distance education university, the majority of their students are already employed at various levels in the communication departments of private and public organisations, government departments, the media and entertainment industries, public relations, and the teaching professions.

The Department encourages and actively supports the drive for community services. It offers courses in communication skills (including the planning of communication campaigns), effective communication in organisations, and public speaking. The Department also presents practical workshops to students in community television, community radio and community journalism.

Programmes:

1. Masters Degree - Communication Science

Learners must have an Honours BA degree in Communication Science, or an equivalent qualification, and have attained an average of at least 60% for the Honours examination. Admission rests with the Chairperson of the Department.

The curriculum comprises a dissertation on an approved topic.

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2. Master of Arts in International Communication

Admission requirements
(a)An Honours BA degree in Communication Science or an equivalent four-year degree with Communication as a majoror
(b) A Bachelor's degree and the Postgraduate Diploma in Telecommunications and Information Policy
(c) An average of at least 60% for the examination concerned
(d) Learners who qualify to enrol for this degree will be sub- jected to a selection process. A selection committee of the Department of Communication Science will evaluate applicants.

The degree of MA in International Communication cannot be completed in less than two years.

The curriculum consists of four papers and a dissertation of limited scope on a research topic approved by the Department of Communication Science.

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3. Doctor of Literature & Philosophy

Admission rests with the Chairperson of the Department and is restricted to learners who have the degree of MA in International Communication or MA in Communication Science, or the equivalent thereof, and attained a pass mark of at least 60%.

The curriculum comprises a thesis on an approved topic.

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Contact:
Department of Communication Science
University of South Africa
P O Box 392
UNISA
0003
Tel: (012) 429-6423 or (012) 429-6565 or (012) 429-6016
Fax: 012) 429-3346
post-artes@unisa.ac.za
University of South Africa site

Last updated July 17 2003.