Course Outline
Candidates are given opportunities to develop skills, competence and knowledge in both the study and the practice of communication. The course makes candidates aware of their roles as creators and consumers of communication and of their capacity to reflect on their participation in creating and consuming communication processes and products.

No prior knowledge of Communication Studies is necessary for candidates to undertake a course of study based on this specification. This specification complements study in arts, social sciences and humanities subjects, or can be a contrasting discipline with study in other areas.

The focus is the study of how people communicate with each other and how theories have sought to explain the nature of human communication and its role in the creation and transmission of culture. Communication takes many forms, from personal conversation to global cultural messages. These forms are analysed in terms of how meanings are created between the senders and receivers of messages. Candidates are assessed on their knowledge and understanding of theoretical approaches to the subject and the application of these through their research and creative skills.

Career Prospects
Candidates will develop a sense of self and will learn critically to evaluate the communication activities and products of themselves and of others. They will learn to develop skills which are desirable in many areas of employment.
Communication Studies will:
promote knowledge and understanding of categories and uses of communication;
enhance candidates’ personal communication skills;
introduce and develop candidates’ skills in critical reading and evaluating the communication products of themselves and others.