Lateral Leadership module (4 ECTS, compulsory module)
Leading modern organizations. Starting from the still widely accepted concept of order and effectiveness based on hierarchy, the module presents and explores new leadership models in various contexts. Students will be coached as they implement the new models in their editorial teams, so that students can become equipped to assume and/or delegate collaborative and situational responsibility.
Module ‘Psychological Principles in Communications’ (4 ECTS, compulsory module)
Over the past few decades, the concept of ‘Homo oeconomicus’, Economic Man, has had to be re-examined in the light of recent insights into human psychology and neuro-psychology. Such studies have found that, despite thinking and acting irrationally, people can and do sometimes act correctly. These days, communicators need to be aware of current knowledge to understand how humans think and interact with each other. Among other topics, the module will deal with topics such as perceptual psychology and behavioural economics, which both editorial teams will be able to draw upon whenever specifically targeted content needs to be edited for publication.
Module ‘Public Relations – History & Reflection’ (4 ECTS, compulsory module)
Journalists seek to portray reality. To achieve this, they need to be able to keep a critical distance. Similarly, specialists in political communications need to be aware of the impact and effectiveness of their communication strategies and activities. Individuals in either group need to establish and then uphold their personal positions. This module deals with ways in which public opinion was shaped in the past, and how groups and entire societies are influenced with the aid of increasingly sophisticated digital platforms targeting individuals. What methods, tricks and means of dissemination were employed to influence opinions in the twentieth century? And which are used today? The module will be taught using theory and examples embedded in an ethical and moral discourse.
Module ‘Introduction to Data Science and Artificial Intelligence’ (4 ECTS, compulsory module)
Detecting patterns in large quantities of data – to gain and visualize new insights based upon the patterns, or using data to communicate more purposefully: to accomplish such tasks many sectors now rely on Artificial Intelligence (AI), and on a growing number of self-learning algorithms. In this module students will learn what to look out for as they analyse and/or visualize large data volumes. They will explore design solutions that may be able to assist understanding. Students will also learn how to identify and assess the risks and opportunities associated with Data Science and AI.
Module ‘Content Management System – Designing and Implementing’ (4 ECTS, compulsory module)
How do we structure our content if we want to make it easily accessible on the web? And how do we approach this technically and creatively with a content management system, even if we are not computer scientists? Students structure the communication of an organization and map it with a contemporary content management system. Above all, the interface competence between design and IT will be supported. In other words, an IT module for non-technicians.
Module ‘New Digital Storytelling’ (4 ECTS, compulsory-elective module)
This module begins with literature and theory. New digital storytelling will be presented and analysed – from the New York Times’ ‘Snowfall’ to today’s data-oriented storytelling. But it also examines the impact and the reception of new formats in different target groups. We want to understand what success means in this field and how it can be guaranteed. The theory is taught using examples and applied by the students themselves.
Module ‘Theory and Methods of Media Research’ (2 x 5 ECTS, compulsory module)
In the first of two research modules our students in Multimedia Communications & Publishing will gain a broad overview of different research paradigms and methods. In the second module, they will examine in detail the particular research approaches they want to apply to their chosen research topic.
Master’s Thesis module (12 ECTS, compulsory module)
Prior to the course, students will indicate an optional academic subject for in-depth study, and will undergo an aptitude assessment. Working to their own schedule, our Master’s students will eventually focus on their specialist research topic during the final semester. The course is assessed by means of a written Master’s thesis to be presented for discussion at the end of the module. Thesis writing will be supervised by our lecturers; specialists from the Module group, Research Methods and Academic Work, will specifically supervise the theses’ research elements.
