Master of Arts in Communication in Digital Societies

The MA Communication in Digital Societies programme allows you to engage in theoretical and application-oriented study simultaneously. Primarily intended for graduates from degree programmes with a focus on communication science, it is the right degree programme for you if you are interested in how the digital media are changing communication processes in the public realm and what consequences this might have for society at large. It takes social-scientific research with a special focus on computational methods and combines this with interdisciplinary aspects of digitalisation. As you progress through the programme, you will acquire a wide range of skills that give you the best preparation for your future career, be it in academic research or working in journalism or in the digital or communications business sectors. You will have the opportunity to complete an internship during your degree programme, which will give you initial work experience and enable you to apply the knowledge you have gained. Features Focus on the relevant and topical field of digital communication Methodological focus on computerised research, data collection and analysis processes Strong research orientation through two-semester long research projects on current topics in digital communication, which you will complete in a small group with close supervision Clearly structured programme that allows you to shape your individual profile by choosing a minor subject and a large interdisciplinary course offering Compulsory elective modules that enable you to approach various aspects of the digital transformation from an interdisciplinary perspective, e.g. by specialising in cultural studies of a world region Career prospects The forward-looking orientation of the degree programme gives you precisely the skills that are in high demand in the media industry. A recent survey of 245 media companies in Bavaria revealed that there is an acute shortage of skilled staff for the evaluation of digital data in the media industry, specifically in the sub-sectors press, audio/radio, film/TV/streaming, marketing/PR/advertising and print/online publishing. Anywhere between 56% (film/TV/streaming) and 100% (audio/radio) of the companies surveyed agreed with the statement that there are not enough applicants in this area (Start Into Media, 2022). In addition to specifically data-related jobs, the degree programme generally qualifies you for positions in the following areas: public relations work at business enterprises, foundations, associations, or political organisations strategic communication using digital marketing technologies journalism (such as data or science journalism) market research content management public affairs consultancy This Master's programme is divided into two sub-areas of communication studies: Digital Communication Theories and Research Fields and Digital Communication Research and Professional Competencies, as well as the interdisciplinary compulsory elective area Social Science of Digital Transformation. Module cluster A In the first sub-area, you will acquire comprehensive knowledge of the theories and research fields of digital communication. To give you an insight into the topic, you will attend courses, e.g. on the consequences of digitalisation for society and others, learning theoretical concepts of digital communication studies so as to enable you to analyse, explain, classify, and reflect on socially relevant areas, such as protest and environmental communication. In the research-oriented advanced seminars, you will work in small groups to examine current research questions in empirical projects, for example on Fake News in a propagandistic context or the changing role of journalism. In the practice-oriented seminar on science communication, you'll develop a podcast and evaluate it with concurrent empirical research. Module cluster B The second sub-area will equip you with research and professional competencies in digital communication. I