Both the majors aim to give students an understanding of the background and workings of a wide range of media industries and the press, magazines, advertising, radio, television and new media. They also consider how communication operates and the everyday cultures within which this happens. There are two `streams' within the major: Communication and Cultural Studies; and Media Studies. The extended major is not streamed.

Stream A (Communication and Cultural Studies)
Communication and Cultural Studies deal with the general processes through which we communicate and both are particularly concerned with investigations of everyday life. Together they concentrate on examples of communicative processes in interpersonal, intercultural and institutional contexts, and on the forms and meanings of popular culture. Students consider a range of everyday situations and interactions, and analyse popular cultural texts including television, radio, internet and print sources.

Stream B (Media Studies)
Media Studies deals more intensively with an examination of a range of mass media drawing on historical, industrial and specific medium (television, on-line) approaches. It ranges from a `micro' level of concern with media language through to a macro concern with media institutions, media texts and media theory.

The extended major is designed to give students an understanding of how Communication is mediated and shaped by its cultural location. It draws from both streams but stresses the theoretical and the analytical aspects. The extra time spent studying in the area makes this an ideal preparation for Honours and further study.