Classes
From Theory to Practice: Theoretical Approaches to Developing Empirical Communication Research
This graduate (M.A.) course offers an in-depth exploration of the application of theoretical frameworks within empirical communication research. Students will engage critically with foundational and contemporary theories, learning how to operationalize abstract concepts into methodologically sound research designs. The course provides a rigorous examination of the processes by which theories inform empirical inquiry, emphasizing analytical precision and scholarly creativity. Throughout the semester, each student will select a communication theory, trace its intellectual evolution, and develop a detailed plan for its empirical application within contemporary communication research. Special attention will be given to the implications of emerging technologies, digitalization, and broader sociocultural transformations for theory development and empirical testing. Coursework combines intensive reading, seminar-style discussions, individual presentations, and a cornerstone research proposal. The pedagogical approach centers on cultivating the ability to bridge theoretical insight and empirical practice—an essential skill for advanced scholarship in the communication sciences.
Tools and Skills for First-Generation Higher Education Students: Preparation for a Master’s-Level Thesis
This course aims to equip first-generation undergraduate (B.A.) students with the skills, tools, and knowledge necessary for success in graduate programs and for writing a master’s degree thesis. In this course, we will focus on the practical aspects of applying for and completing a master’s degree, the basics of academic writing and critical thinking, and the logistics of securing funding and publishing. The course is open to third-year undergraduate students in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
Media and Public Opinion Research: Theory and Practice
This course will focus on both the theoretical and practical aspects of studying media and public opinion. In this course, we will delve into the theoretical foundations of media and public opinion research. We will also learn some of the methods for data collection and data analysis that are widely used in media and public opinion research. In addition, through practical research projects, students will gain experience conducting and interpreting data reports.
Introduction to research methods in communication science
This course will focus on both the theoretical and practical aspects of conducting scientific research in the field of communication studies. In this course, we will delve into the theoretical foundations of communication research. We will also learn central methods for data collection and data analysis that are widely used in communication research. In addition, through practical research projects, students will gain experience conducting and interpreting scientific reports.
Communication Science Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE)
This course will focus on both the theoretical and methodological aspects of conducting empirical (data-driven) research in the field of communication science. In this course, you will be part of an organic research team, taking part in meetings, discussions, and lab work. As part of this team, you will delve into the methodological foundations of empirical quantitative media and public opinion research. We will also discuss various quantitative methods widely used for data collection and data analysis in the field of communication research. In addition, through practical research projects, students will gain experience conducting and interpreting data reports.
Media, Politics, and Gender: Intergroup Relations in Media Coverage
The seminar will focus on how media platforms use gender to represent and frame intergroup relations. In this seminar, we will delve into issues such as the roles of mainstream media and online spaces in shaping perceptions and attitudes about gender; the effects of gendered framing and representation in media on public opinion and social behavior; and the contribution of media representation of gender to shaping attitudes towards politicians and public figures.