COURSE CURRICULUM

Communication Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University offers a well-rounded curriculum designed to provide both foundational knowledge and specialized skills in the study of media, culture, and communication. In the first year, students take two core courses, Media History and Canadian Communication in Context, which introduce essential concepts about the development of media systems, cultural practices, and communication frameworks in both historical and contemporary settings. Beyond these foundational courses, students can explore a wide range of first-year electives across disciplines such as Political Science, Film Studies, Digital Humanities, Sociology, and Global Studies, allowing them to tailor their studies to their personal interests and career goals while developing critical thinking, research, and analytical skills. As students progress into upper years, they can choose from specialized courses that focus on contemporary and applied aspects of communication, including Public Communication, which examines strategies and practices in organizational and societal contexts; Sport on Screen, analyzing media representation of sports; Critical Advertising Studies, exploring persuasive communication and consumer culture; Social Media and Social Life, investigating digital networks and online interaction; Race and Visual Culture, considering media, identity, and representation; and Fashion as Communication, studying the cultural and communicative role of fashion. Together, these courses provide students with theoretical knowledge, practical expertise, and interdisciplinary perspectives, equipping graduates for careers in public relations, media, politics, corporate communications, and other dynamic fields where effective communication is essential.