Master Global Communication: Politics and Society

Profile

Pedestrians with smartphones in Asia
© Foto: Kai Hafez
"The wider world is a click away, but whether we mean to or not, we’re usually filtering it out." // Ethan Zuckerman, MIT, Cambridge, MA

The Master’s program "Global Communication: Politics and Society" is an English language consecutive degree dealing with media systems and communication cultures in international comparison. It focuses on multilayered political, social, cultural and historical approaches.  

What role do the media play in contemporary democracies, in political transformation, in war or crises in different regions of the world? Is today’s media society globally oriented or do modern media help to reproduce old stereotypes and heat up racism through hate speech? Does  humankind from the US and Europe to Asia, Africa and Latin America share a common vision of an “information society”, in which knowledge and human relation-ships are increasingly “mediatized”? The program also addresses the individual psychological processing of media, the effectiveness of media content, and current transformations in media production and media.

The program is innovative in that it does not treat questions of communication studies as isolated national processes, but deals specifically with "global communication" in the sense of international comparisons. In the courses, special emphasis is placed on the equal inclusion of the Global North and South as well as communicative interactions. In addition, processes of international cross-border communication, foreign reporting and the globalization of lifeworlds are addressed. The effects of media content, interpersonal communication and current trends in media use are also dealt with.

The course is primarily oriented towards social sciences but also takes into account cultural theories, methods and contents. Besides developing academic research skills and learning quantitative and qualitative empirical methods, students will acquire knowledge of academic communication consultancy in dedicated teaching units.

This study program enables you to work in a wide range of academic and private social, market and media research. It also qualifies for various professions such as journalism, public relations and the broad field of scientifically supported communication consulting of politics and society, in ministries, foundations and NGOs. The research-oriented program also prepares for an academic career. There is also a “Fast Track to PhD” program for doctoral studies. The focus on a global comparative research perspective and communication consultancy skills in international contexts opens up professional fields at home and abroad.

Particularities of the Master’s program

1. Focus on International and Comparative Communication Research

Our Master’s program is innovative in that it considers "global communication" as the main area of teaching and research. We systematically promote comparative approaches in and between Europe, America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East in communication studies. 

2. Individual Specialization Opportunities in "Politics", "Society" and "Media"

After our students have discovered theoretical and methodological principles in global media and communication research, they will deepen their expertise in optional compulsory modules. We discuss political, social and cultural effects and patterns of mediatization in the field of politics and society; in the field of media we focus on media-specific transformations. You can set your own focus of interest in choosing modules on an individual basis. 

3. Research Orientation

The program includes fundamental training in quantitative and qualitative methods and students will develop their own reasearch projects. There will be further opportunities to join research projects at the Department of Media and Communication Studies. We encourage independent research skills. According to the students performance, students can make use of a "fast track" for PhD-students. 

4. Knowledge Transfer: Academic Consulting and Vocational Orientation

We put special emphasis on the integration of fundamental research and practical orientation. Our students will be introduced to communication consulting for politics and society, in ministries, foundations or NGOs. An internship in an internationally oriented political, commercial or civic institution provides them with the opportunity to apply their skills in practice. Students who are interested in an academic career will be encouraged to participate in academic exchange, for example in appliying for presentations at conferences such as ICA, IAMCR, DGPuK, ECREA or for publication of articles in academic journals. 

5. Intercultural Learning Atmosphere: English as Preferred Language of Teaching, Global Knowledge and International Contacts

The Master's program " Global Communication: Politics and Society" stands for the internationalization of communication research and everyday day studies. English is the preferred language of teaching; all courses are offered in English. We support studies and internships abroad. German and international students are working closely together.

6. Optimal Support

The Department of Media and Communication Studies encourages close cooperation between students and lecturers. Short distances on Campus, availability and small seminars of approx. 15 students ensure a positive learning atmosphere and lively exchange between students and staff.