MA in Global Communcations: Development Communications Track

Track Description

The Development Communications track is designed for students with a clear interest in working in communications roles for governments or civil society actors involved in local, national and cross-border development, such as NGOs, aid organizations and international organizations. It is suitable both for current professionals looking to expand their academic grounding in development communications theory and practice, and for recent graduates hoping to gain practical career-relevant skills in order to enter a career in this field. 

AUP’s interdisciplinary approach and multicultural environment takes on new meaning in a development communications context, as the work involves navigating and appreciating multiple perspectives and engaging in translation across cultures, languages and ways of being. The track places a strong emphasis on the ethical issues to consider when working in development fields, particularly when working in unfamiliar contexts. It takes a critical approach to assessing development communications strategies and exploring the challenges inherent in the field alongside the benefits. Tailored practicums in locations including France, Morocco and India push students to engage, for example, in sustainable development, or NGO work, often through direct engagement with development professionals on the ground.

Alongside the skills developed through core MAGC courses, students in the development communications track explore topics such as:

• the issues impacting global civil society, including freedom of expression; advocacy, governance and the rule of law; and political and institutional agency;
• historical and present-day communications practices that promote development, social change and global justice;
• actors and agents of social change, from international bodies such as UNESCO and the OECD to smaller-scale development NGOs and local government bodies;
• strategic communications initiatives surrounding topics such as public health, education, women’s empowerment and environmental sustainability, among others; and
• the complex interactions between civil society and donors, governments and the corporate world.

Development communications students also have access to a number of electives from across the global communications degree and other relevant disciplines, such as the MA in International Affairs, MSc in Human Rights and Data Science, the Msc in Sustainable Brand Management, and can choose a variety of courses including those in in place branding; media, gender and globalization; and food, culture and communication.