Undergraduate
BA in Communications & English Literature
Program Overview
About
Interested in the media, advertising, public relations, writing, marketing, spokesmanship in industry or government? Love the English language – and thirsty to learn from internationally recognized faculty from the world’s leading universities?
Strong communication skills, especially in English, are crucial in today’s global economy. The School of Communication at Bar-Ilan University is one of the few academic institutions that offers research and training in International Communications and Public Diplomacy. Students immerse themselves in small workshops on New Media, Advertising, Public Relations and Broadcast Media – all instructed by internationally renowned researchers and lecturers.
The Department of English at Bar-Ilan University offers the broadest program in Israel, taught by true leaders in the field of literature. Unique, but not exclusive, focus is given to Jewish literature and the most notable literary Jewish writers of our time. Bar-Ilan University offers the only program that delves into the significant impact of Jewish literature to modern times, all the while also giving students the tools to develop high-level analytical skills, critical thinking, argumentation, and self-expression.
Bar-Ilan University’s School of Communications and Department of English Literature joint double major BA gives students an edge in their future careers as they study how communication techniques and technologies – while gaining excellent communication skills in English – shape society and culture. Bottom line, students gain a greater understanding of multiculturalism — a key requirement in our world’s increasing globalized economy.
Career Opportunities
Our graduates are sought after and well established in all fields of communications, both locally and globally. Many work in marketing, advertising and public relations offices, radio and TV stations, websites and the press, as media consultants in government and private offices. Of course, some have chosen to pursue an academic research and teaching career. And remember, English is the lingua franca of the Western world, and permeates all industries, meaning, no matter ones desired field of work, this degree is an invaluable asset.
Student Testimonial
“My name is Dema, I study English Literature and communications. I am so grateful to have chosen BIU as the place to build my career at. I always wanted to study abroad, and I get to experience it here in the international school of BIU with students from all over the world!”
Dema
Yarka, Israel
Core Requirements
- 26 Credits in Political Science / English Literature
- 25 Credits in Communication
- 10 Credits in Judaic Studies*
- 3 Credits in General Studies**
- English as a Foreign Language***
See here for more information on “Bar-Ilan Credits”
*Judaic Studies courses are academic courses in a variety of fields within the Faculty of Jewish Studies, offered through The School of Basic Jewish Studies. Admitted students who are not Jewish and would prefer to take 10 credits in General Studies courses should contact their program coordinator.
**General Studies courses are any course offered at the University (over 6,000) that is not related to your major and is not Judaic Studies. Students with a minimum level 4 Hebrew are permitted to take courses in Hebrew, should they choose.
Courses and Descriptions
* Courses may be updated from the list provided.
Course List
Introduction to Communication: Theories and models 63-001-18/19
Introduces the students to the central theories and models in current communication research, from theoretical aspects to relevant updated case studies and events.
History of Communications 63-002-18
Learn how communication media, from writing to the internet, changed society and indeed, our entire worldview.
The Media in Israel 63-003-18
Gain an historical understanding of the development of media in Israel as well as be offered an overview of issues unique to Israel's current media environment.
Research and Information Science 63-004-18
First year students will acquire basic skills enabling them to use a variety of Bar-Ilan library information sources.
News Writing and Journalism Workshop 63-006-18
This workshop aims to provide students with a basic knowledge of and experience in news writing, while being taught about the unique trade of journalism.
Rhetoric and Public Speaking 63-009-18
Focuses on theories of classic and new rhetoric in interpersonal communication and in the mass media, while listening to and analyzing speeches.
Visual Culture 63-012-18
Explores the ideological, biased, cogent power of different visual media: newspapers, photography, films, tourist guides and advertisements.
Verbal Communication 63-013-18
Provides basic concepts in the field of verbal communication, including examples from the mass media, literature, and Israeli and Anglo-phonic daily speech.
Beyond State Control: International Organizations, NGOs, and Media Diplomacy 63-248-18
Examines the complex connection between international organizations, NGOs, media diplomacy and mediatization processes.
Nuclear Weapons and Communication 63-410-18
This seminar, via extensive use of audio-visual material, media and online content, will examine a wide range of issues relating to: nuclear weapons and communication.
Environmental communication & branding 63-423-18
Explores central theories and models in current environmental communication, branding, creativity and mass communication campaign construction.
The Art of Public Speaking 63-922-18/19
This workshop provides students with effective communication tools that improve their communication in front of many audience types.
Introduction to Search Engine Optimization (SEO) 63-931-01
Uncovers the hidden aspects of the internet world, discovering what lies behind search engines and their underlying agenda.
Video Journalism Workshop 63-938
This workshop provides students with a basic knowledge of video journalism and broadcast news.
Jewish-Arab Interreligious Dialogue 63-944-18
This course aims to increase positive interactions between English speaking Jewish and Arab students (based on the foundations of the Interfaith Encounter Association (IEA) Branch at Bar-Ilan).
Media and society in an age of intelligent and networked machines 71-024-18
Examines current and future Internet Technologies’ trends, their benefits and risks, considering the changing roles of journalists and open-code programmers as gatekeepers of media, society and technologies.
The Arab-Israeli Conflict 71-033-18
Acquaints the student with the background of the complex historical, political, cultural and religious dynamics that have led to the development of the Arab-Israel conflict.
Introduction to Politics and Government 71-100-18
Provides a basic working knowledge of political theory and its application. It deals with the basic ideas, functions, institutions, processes, regimes, ideologies and systems of government concerning politics and government.
Israeli Government and Politics 71-101-18
The goal of this course is to understand various aspects of Israeli government and politics.
Introduction to International Relations 71-104-18
Gives students the conceptual tools and research principles to understand and analyze processes and events in the field of international relations.
History of Political Thought 71-108-18
This course helps the student gain insight about the history of political thought, or political philosophy, from ancient time to the present
Statistics 71-204-18/1
This course focuses on statistical methods commonly used in social science research.
Research Methods 71-205-18/19
Describes the methods used in social science research: theory development, hypothesis testing, study design, data analysis, interpretation and dissemination of results.
Leadership, Strategy and Politics 71-219-18
Offers an in-depth look at Leadership, Politics and Strategy, three important components for the success, integration, and implementation of policy – be it national, international or organizational.
US–Israeli Relations 71-428-18
Analyses the development of US-Israeli relations, in order to gain knowledge and understanding of the US-Israeli relationship.
Introduces the students to the central theories and models in current communication research, from theoretical aspects to relevant updated case studies and events.
Learn how communication media, from writing to the internet, changed society and indeed, our entire worldview.
Gain an historical understanding of the development of media in Israel as well as be offered an overview of issues unique to Israel's current media environment.
First year students will acquire basic skills enabling them to use a variety of Bar-Ilan library information sources.
This workshop aims to provide students with a basic knowledge of and experience in news writing, while being taught about the unique trade of journalism.
Focuses on theories of classic and new rhetoric in interpersonal communication and in the mass media, while listening to and analyzing speeches.
Explores the ideological, biased, cogent power of different visual media: newspapers, photography, films, tourist guides and advertisements.
Provides basic concepts in the field of verbal communication, including examples from the mass media, literature, and Israeli and Anglo-phonic daily speech.
Examines the complex connection between international organizations, NGOs, media diplomacy and mediatization processes.
This seminar, via extensive use of audio-visual material, media and online content, will examine a wide range of issues relating to: nuclear weapons and communication.
Explores central theories and models in current environmental communication, branding, creativity and mass communication campaign construction.
This workshop provides students with effective communication tools that improve their communication in front of many audience types.
Uncovers the hidden aspects of the internet world, discovering what lies behind search engines and their underlying agenda.
This workshop provides students with a basic knowledge of video journalism and broadcast news.
This course aims to increase positive interactions between English speaking Jewish and Arab students (based on the foundations of the Interfaith Encounter Association (IEA) Branch at Bar-Ilan).
Examines current and future Internet Technologies’ trends, their benefits and risks, considering the changing roles of journalists and open-code programmers as gatekeepers of media, society and technologies.
Acquaints the student with the background of the complex historical, political, cultural and religious dynamics that have led to the development of the Arab-Israel conflict.
Provides a basic working knowledge of political theory and its application. It deals with the basic ideas, functions, institutions, processes, regimes, ideologies and systems of government concerning politics and government.
The goal of this course is to understand various aspects of Israeli government and politics.
Gives students the conceptual tools and research principles to understand and analyze processes and events in the field of international relations.
This course helps the student gain insight about the history of political thought, or political philosophy, from ancient time to the present
This course focuses on statistical methods commonly used in social science research.
Describes the methods used in social science research: theory development, hypothesis testing, study design, data analysis, interpretation and dissemination of results.
Offers an in-depth look at Leadership, Politics and Strategy, three important components for the success, integration, and implementation of policy – be it national, international or organizational.
Analyses the development of US-Israeli relations, in order to gain knowledge and understanding of the US-Israeli relationship.
CONTACT INFORMATION
International School
Bar-Ilan University
Ramat-Gan, Israel 5290002
Tel: +972- 3-738-4245
Email for further information
Intl.info@biu.ac.il
Program Overview
Program Length: 3 Years
Priority Application Deadline: September 30, 2020
Admission Requirements:
GPA 3.1 or above.
GPA 3.3 or above for waiver of SAT exam.
SAT 1100 or above, of which EBRW is 600 or above.
