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Students pursuing M.A./Ph.D. or Ph.D. degrees gain specialized knowledge in their chosen field while cultivating an understanding of diverse theoretical viewpoints and research methodologies in communication studies. The curriculum blends humanistic and social science traditions through a shared foundational program and extensive graduate-level course offerings, available both within the Communication Department and across other University of Washington departments. Beyond classroom learning, collaborative research groups unite students and faculty from various backgrounds to explore and implement contemporary communication theories. The program emphasizes applying scholarly insights to tackle real-world social and political challenges beyond academic settings.
Journalism Studies focuses on investigating the creation and dissemination of news through research and theoretical frameworks. This specialization critically assesses the evolution, purposes, and frameworks of media institutions both domestically and internationally. It analyzes the professional, institutional, financial, societal, legal, and technological factors influencing news content and the gatekeepers who determine newsworthiness. Special attention is given to journalism's societal and political functions, especially as emerging information technologies disrupt conventional news paradigms. Faculty investigate these themes across historical periods and cultural settings, employing multiple research approaches and philosophical perspectives.