BA in Communication & Civil Society

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

The American University of Paris

Program Overview

The Communication & Civil Society major at The American University of Paris equips you with a deep understanding of how communication and media shape civil society—the vital space between individuals and the state where people come together for civic action—and trains you to make real interventions in global issues like climate change, inequalities, and poverty. It's perfect for students passionate about driving social and political change through activism, policy, or media, blending theory, history, and hands-on projects with mentors and professionals to prepare you for impactful careers in NGOs, government, journalism, or international organizations.

Curriculum Structure
First Year
You'll kick off with foundational theories of social organization, power dynamics, and political change, building a strong base in how communication influences civil society. Courses like core introductions to media roles in public spaces and historical perspectives on social movements set the stage, while cooperative projects with classmates introduce practical intervention techniques right away. This year focuses on sparking your curiosity about global public problems through engaging discussions and real-world examples.

Second and Third Years
Here, you'll dive deeper into empirical knowledge of contemporary challenges, exploring methods for change with electives that let you specialize. Key courses cover techniques for intervention in civil society relations, such as advocacy strategies and media analysis, alongside visits from professionals at organizations like UNESCO who share frontline insights. These years emphasize building analytical skills through group research aimed at actual social impact, blending theory with on-site experiences in Paris and beyond.

Senior Year
Your capstone involves advanced projects and a thesis-like research seminar, honing methods to contribute to transformative work in activism or policy. Drawing from core courses on global public problems and practical interventions, you'll collaborate closely with faculty on change-oriented initiatives, preparing a major research presentation. This culminates your skills for post-graduation roles, with exposure to civil society actors on the job.

Focus Areas
The program centers on communication's role in civil society, theories of power and social change, historical knowledge of global issues (like climate change, gender/race inequalities, poverty), and practical intervention methods through media, activism, and policy.

Learning Outcomes
Graduates gain expertise in analyzing communication's impact on social organization and civic action; skills for intervening in public problems via research, campaigns, and media; and the ability to work transformatively in NGOs, government, journalism, law, or international bodies like the WHO or UNESCO.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
AUP's undergraduate programs follow the American liberal arts model, accredited under U.S. standards with 128 credits required for graduation, ensuring global recognition and transferability. The Communication, Media and Culture department emphasizes ethical, practical training informed by cutting-edge research in advocacy, politics, and media.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
AUP alumni excel in communication fields, with the department's majors like Global Communications leading to careers in media, NGOs, and policy; official stats highlight strong outcomes in journalism, activism, and international organizations, bolstered by practitioner visits and real-world projects. The university's Paris location and networks enhance employability in global civil society roles.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In the Communication & Civil Society major at The American University of Paris, you'll dive into hands-on experiential learning that builds real-world skills in communication, media, and civic action right from your core courses. You'll tackle cooperative research projects with professors and classmates aimed at driving social and political change, hear directly from visiting professionals actively working in NGOs, activism, and policy, and head out on visits to sites where civil society organizations operate in Paris—putting theory into practice in the heart of a global hub for advocacy and media. Communications majors like you also volunteer with social justice organizations, engaging directly with Parisian communities to make an impact. This all ties into AUP's required experiential learning opportunities (coded CCX), which boost your academic, personal, and professional growth through practical immersion.

Here are some standout ways you'll gain those practical edges:
- Group projects and research: Jump into collaborative work with peers and faculty on projects focused on social organization, power dynamics, and interventions for change—perfect for honing teamwork in real civic scenarios.
- Site visits and field trips: Get out to observe civil society actors in action, plus join faculty-led cultural excursions across France and Europe that link directly to your coursework on media, advocacy, and global issues.
- Professional guest speakers: Classrooms host pros from NGOs, intergovernmental orgs like UNESCO, journalism, and activism who share insider stories and strategies you're learning to apply.
- Community volunteering: Communications students volunteer hands-on with Parisian social justice groups, building networks and skills in public engagement.
- Paris as your classroom: Leverage the city's vibrant scene for internships and direct involvement in multinational companies, startups, or civic initiatives—extending your learning beyond campus.

Progression & Future Opportunities

In the Communication & Civil Society major at The American University of Paris, you'll dive into hands-on experiential learning that builds real-world skills in communication, media, and social change—right from cooperative research projects with professors and classmates aimed at driving actual impact. Professionals working in civil society visit your classes to share their on-the-ground experiences, and you'll head out to observe these experts in action at key sites around Paris. This practical approach, combined with Paris as your extended classroom, means you're not just studying theory—you're applying it through volunteering, site visits, and collaborative work that prepares you to make a difference in NGOs, journalism, policy, or activism.

Here are some standout ways you'll gain those practical skills tailored to this major:
- Cooperative research projects with professors and fellow students, focused on social and political change, giving you teamwork experience in analyzing power dynamics and media's role in civil society.
- Classroom visits from professionals actively working in civil society, plus field trips to real-world sites where you see activism, policy-making, and social movements in action.
- Volunteering with social justice organizations in Parisian communities, letting Communications majors like you engage directly with local civic efforts.
- Cultural Program study trips led by faculty, tying into your coursework—think exploring communication in global contexts across France, Europe, and beyond to sharpen critical thinking and interdisciplinary skills.
- Access to AUP's Global Liberal Arts Core Curriculum (GLACC), emphasizing digital communication tools, hands-on problem-solving, and modes of analysis like digital and textual methods for civil society work.