Universities sign MoU to run joint course in media, politics

NU-Q Dean Everette Dennis and GU-Q Dean Dr Gerd Nonneman

Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) and Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) announced a new joint programme in Media and Politics for students.

NU-Q Dean Everette Dennis and GU-Q Dean Dr Gerd Nonneman of Georgetown University in Qatar inaugurated the programme at a signing ceremony held here .

The programme will allow enrolled students to specialise in the study of journalism and communication in the political, diplomatic, and policy-making processes, as well as the role of politics in the shaping of mass media products and policies. It will enable students to better understand how politicians, governments, and citizens influence, and are themselves influenced by, the media in its myriad forms and formats.

“Media is a crucial link between citizens and governments of all kinds. This programme will enable future leaders to develop a deeper understanding of the subtleties of this powerful dynamic as they prepare to become practitioners in media, public affairs, or other fields. We are proud to partner with Georgetown to create this unique opportunity for students studying in Qatar,” said Dennis.

For Georgetown students, this is an 18 credit hour certificate programme; for Northwestern students, this is an 18 credit hour minor programme; while classification is in-line with each university’s tradition, the content is identical.

“The programme will provide a purposeful curricular grouping for students interested in the intersection of these two fields, and should prove quite popular at both institutions.  We think these are exactly the kind of collaborative opportunities our joint presence in Qatar enables.  The Education City environment acts as a catalyst for creating world class joint programmes that would not be possible anywhere else.  We are thrilled to partner with Northwestern in this endeavour,” said Nonneman.

The courses are offered equally by Georgetown and Northwestern campuses in Education City, and most courses will be completed during the junior and senior year.  Completion of the sequence requires a student to take six courses.

Access to the programme will be by application in the second semester of the second year of university study.  Students will be required to write a brief essay explaining why they are interested in the Media and Politics programme and how it relates to their studies and to their ambitions after graduation.