B.A. in Communication and Information Studies: Language and Media

Optimise communication

Today, social media are no longer used just for their original purpose—personal communication—but also for professional purposes. Organizations use Twitter for webcare, Skype or FaceTime for meetings and WhatsApp for discussions. Facebook is also used to create business communities. In the Language and Media specialisation of the Bachelor’s in Communication and Information Studies, you learn how and why organizations use new (and old) media in business-to-business and business-to-consumer interaction.

The world is becoming increasingly ‘global’ and communication occurs more and more often in an international context. This involves not only different languages, but also different cultures. Various courses in the programme therefore focus on the role of English as a lingua franca in international communication.

If you are an international student interested in doing a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Information Studies abroad, VU Amsterdam is an excellent choice. The university is known for its large international community. The programme has a small-scale setup and offers plenty of personal contact with lecturers, a friendly atmosphere and easy access to all facilities. The lively city of Amsterdam is just a stone’s throw away.

The start date of this programme is September 1st.

In the first year you are introduced to linguistics, Communication Studies and discourse analysis. You learn how different media influence communication processes and study how media are used in organizational contexts. Naturally, you also work on your general academic skills, including academic writing and research methods.

• English Language Test Faculty of Humanities
• Introduction to Communication Studies
• Introduction to Linguistics
• Orientation Module CIS 1
• Academic English CIW-L&S Grammar
• Academic Skills CIS 1
• Language, Media and Communication
• Academic English CIW-L&S Writing
• Academic Skills CIS 2
• Discourse Analysis
• Methods
• Orientation Module CIS 2
• Persuasive Communication
• English: International Communication
• Media Use in Organizational Contexts

After the first year, you have a solid foundation from which to explore different aspects of language use in traditional and social media. You also take theoretical courses on intercultural communication and global English, and subsequently apply your insights in more practice-oriented courses on multilingual communication and language management.

In the first semester you follow a minor or do an internship to acquire valuable professional experience. In the second semester, you complete your specialisation and carry out your own research project, which forms the basis for your Bachelor’s thesis.