The Communication Initiative
Development action with informed and engaged societies
The Communication Initiative
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Published 15 years ago
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Communication, Media, and Society Course

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This course forms part of a series of social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) short courses within the University of Witwatersrand's Masters of Public Health programme, which have been developed by the Soul City Institute for Health and Development Communication and the University of Witwatersrand, School of Public Health.

The course aims to provide the participants with a general insight into the key theories and methodologies within media and communication studies. Participants will be introduced to relevant communication theory and media approaches as a vehicle or channel for social and behaviour change communication addressing health and development issues, such as HIV/AIDS. The place, form, and context of the media landscape in selected countries in the African region will be explored, with particular emphasis on the implications of those issues for health and development communication practice.

This course seeks to:

  • Introduce participants to communication theory and introduce media as a vehicle or channel for social and behaviour change communication addressing health issues such as HIV/AIDS and family planning;
  • Introduce participants to the rise and growth of communication for development, both as a science and a communicative practice;
  • Outline the current debates, critiques of science and practice, and emphasise some of the new directions that have emerged, focusing on core concepts of participation, voice, diversity and empowerment; and
  • Explore the large field of audience studies.

The short courses are supported by Communication for Change (C-Change), a USAID-funded health and development communication project, and UK Department for International Development (DFID).