Overview

The MA in Intercultural and International Communication program has been designed to provide individuals who are interested in pursuing a communication-based career within the intercultural and international arena with the knowledge and skills to do so successfully. The Intercultural and International specialization is a two year program delivered through the combination of distance courses and an annual three-week residency. The program delivers a solid theoretical foundation, as well as applied and practical skills, and interpersonal and professional know-how inherent in our globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. The program provides a solid understanding of both the fundamentals and advanced concepts related to intercultural communication and international issues examining the communication components of migration, diaspora, displacement, transnationalism, multiculturalism, travel and tourism, cultural policy, identity politics and formation, communication for development and social change, and much more.

The residency at the beginning of the program allows students to become acquainted with the university's culture, the faculty and fellow students. Students also:

• begin the study of core elements of the program;
• develop team and leadership skills essential for future distance-delivered semesters;
• consolidate learning acquired during the program; and
• benefit from small-group mentoring and personal consultation.

Distance courses expand upon the conceptual introductions offered during the residencies, allowing participants to practice skills and expand their knowledge base. The distance courses also deliver much of the theoretical and information based material in the program. This material is applied to case-study exercises undertaken by teams of students within each course.

The distance learning portions of the MA in Intercultural and International Communication program take place over the Internet. Prior to commencing each course, students are provided with a package of materials and readings. At their convenience, they work through the requirements of the course (although there are ‘real time’ deadlines for assignments, exams, etc.).

We use a number of different delivery methods including textbooks, articles, podcasts, digital videos, case studies, and interactive Internet learning using discussion groups (bulletin boards) for correspondence with classmates, some of whom may be on the other side of the country or the world. Having already met their classmates during the first residency period, students will continue to work in teams during the distance courses. This approach to learning has proven to be extremely helpful to our students.