The Communication Studies curriculum is a complete education in Communication Studies using online materials.
Note: When there are courses or books that don't fit into the curriculum but are otherwise of high quality, they belong in extras/courses, extras/readings.
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Subreddits:
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Other:
- AoIR (Association of Internet Researchers) Mastodon
- STC (Society for Technical Communication) Slack (membership required)
- PR and Communications Pros Slack (request invite)
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You can also interact through GitHub issues. If there is a problem with a course, or a change needs to be made to the curriculum, this is the place to start the conversation. Read more here.
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Join our Discord server (for discussions around this and other curricula):
Everyone should complete the following four sections in sequence. They form the essential foundation that every communication student needs:
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I. Foundations of Communication
Start here. This section introduces the most basic ideas and skills you will use in every later part of the field. -
II. Human Interaction & Meaning
Move to this next. It builds directly on the foundations and focuses on how people create meaning and connect with each other face-to-face. -
III. Media, Culture & Power
Study this third. It expands your view from personal interaction to how large-scale media and cultural systems shape communication. -
V. Research Methods in Communication
Finish the core with this section. It gives you the practical tools to read, evaluate, and eventually carry out communication research yourself.
The remaining four sections are optional specialization tracks. You do not need to study all of them. Pick one (or at most two) that match your personal interests, career goals, or curiosity after you finish the core.
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IV. Rhetoric & Persuasion Choose this track if you want to learn how to create convincing messages, speeches, advertisements, campaigns, or public arguments.
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VI. Digital Communication Systems Choose this track if you are especially interested in social media platforms, algorithms, online networks, data, and digital life.
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VII. Applied & Professional Communication Choose this track if you want practical skills for jobs in public relations, marketing, corporate communication, international work, or professional settings.
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VIII. Advanced Analysis & Theory Choose this track if you are very interested in deep critical thinking, academic-style analysis, or if you plan to continue into graduate-level study later.
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| What Communication Is | This gives you a clear map of how messages are created, sent, received, and interpreted in everyday life. | Communication in the Real World (LibreTexts) | CrashCourse: Media Literacy |
| Communication Models & Traditions | You will understand the major ways scholars have explained communication processes throughout history. | same | MIT OpenCourseWare: Intro to Comm |
| Communication Ethics | You learn to recognize and reason about moral dilemmas that appear when people communicate, especially online and in media. | Ethics for the Information Age | — |
| Academic Writing | You gain the skills to write clear, organized, and convincing college-level essays and papers. | OpenStax Writing Guide | Coursera: Writing in College |
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interpersonal Communication | You develop practical skills for building, maintaining, and repairing close personal relationships through talk. | Mindful Relationships (Geneseo) | Coursera SJTU |
| Symbolic Interaction & Identity | You learn how people use symbols and everyday interactions to build and constantly update who they are. | Communication in the Real World | Yale OpenCourses (Sociology of Self) |
| Listening & Dialogue | You build the ability to truly hear others, understand their messages deeply, and respond in ways that keep conversations constructive. | Worthington | Coursera Active Listening |
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media Systems | You understand how media industries are organized, financed, and regulated around the world today. | Understanding Media & Culture | CrashCourse Media |
| Semiotics & Representation | You learn to read signs, images, and texts in media and discover the hidden meanings they carry. | Introducing Semiotics (LibreTexts) | — |
| Culture & Communication | You gain tools to communicate effectively and respectfully with people from very different cultural backgrounds. | Intercultural Communication (LibreTexts) | FutureLearn |
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classical Rhetoric | You master ancient techniques for constructing powerful, logical, and emotionally engaging spoken and written arguments. | Silva Rhetoricae (BYU) | HarvardX Rhetoric |
| Persuasion Science | You learn the research-proven psychological principles that make people say yes and change their behavior. | Cialdini | Coursera Michigan |
| Visual & Multimodal | You develop the ability to create and critically analyze messages that combine words, images, sound, and design. | Visual & Multimodal Communication | Coursera Illinois |
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Logic | You understand the basic rules of how good social science evidence is created and evaluated. | Social Science Research (USF) | SOAS Methods |
| Qualitative Methods | You learn how to collect, analyze, and interpret rich non-numerical data such as interviews, texts, and observations. | Saldaña Coding Manual (free chapters) | Amsterdam Qual |
| Quantitative Reasoning | You gain the ability to read, understand, and perform basic statistical analysis of communication data. | OpenIntro Statistics | Amsterdam Quant |
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platforms & Algorithms | You understand how major digital platforms shape what people see, say, and believe every day. | Networked | — |
| Networks & Social Media | You learn how connections between people online create patterns, influence behavior, and spread information. | Networks, Crowds & Markets | Coursera SNA |
| Data, Privacy & Ethics | You can identify and think critically about the ethical challenges of collecting, using, and protecting personal data online. | Ethics of Emerging Media | — |
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strategic Communication | You learn how organizations plan and execute purposeful communication campaigns to achieve specific goals. | Strategic Communication | Coursera Colorado |
| Professional Writing | You master the formats, tone, and clarity needed for emails, reports, proposals, and other workplace documents. | OpenStax Writing Guide | — |
| Intercultural Practice | You practice real-world skills for navigating cultural differences during work, travel, and international teamwork. | Intercultural Comm (LibreTexts) | Coursera Shanghai |
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cultural & Critical Theory | You gain powerful frameworks for analyzing how communication maintains or challenges power, inequality, and culture. | Carey – Communication as Culture | — |
| Discourse Analysis | You learn systematic ways to examine language use in talk and texts to reveal hidden ideologies and power relations. | Doing Discourse Analysis | — |
| Global Media Systems | You understand how media operate, flow, and influence people differently across countries and regions. | Global Communication | — |
| Advanced Research | You master complete research designs, from question to final report, at a graduate-level standard. | Creswell | — |
| Scholarly Writing | You learn the advanced conventions, structure, and style needed to publish research articles in academic journals. | Writing for Scholarly Publication | — |
| Project Type | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empirical Research Project | Apply method to real study. | Communication Research Methods (Merrigan & Huston) | Understanding Research Methods (Coursera – SOAS) |
| Strategic Communication Campaign | Real campaign buildout. | Strategic Planning for Public Relations | Strategic Communication Campaigns (Coursera – Colorado) |
| Media/Cultural Analysis Portfolio | Theory + analysis synthesis. | Media and Cultural Studies: Keyworks | |
| Digital Communication Prototype | Prototype a digital artifact. | Design Thinking for Strategic Innovation | Prototyping and Design (Coursera – Minnesota) |
After completing the requirements of the curriculum above, you will have completed the equivalent of a full bachelor's degree in Communication Studies. Congratulations!