Archive for October 2010

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[ecrea] Master of Communication Studies - New Media and Society in Europe

Thu Oct 28 21:28:42 GMT 2010



The Master of Communication Studies is a one-year (60 ECTS) academic master with a focus on New Media and Society in Europe. This English language programme focuses on the rapidly changing field of media and communication in a European context. The programme takes an interdisciplinary approach and allows students to concentrate on business, policy and/or user aspects of new media.



Course outline ECTS: 60
Years: 1
Campus: Brussels - Etterbeek
Erasmus exchange: University of Exeter - United Kingdom, University of Helsinki - Finland
Internship: 12 ECTS optional - in selected institutions and companies related to the subject area

Focus on New Media and Society in Europe

Media economics, European media markets and mechanisms
Digitisation of media, the emergence of the Internet and the mobile revolution have fundamentally altered the media industry. Formerly separate markets are merging. Old and new players are forging new business models. This master provides you with an in depth understanding of media economics, European media markets and mechanisms.

European policy and policy-making in the field of media
The European Union plays a crucial role in media and communication policies. It has tried to foster a single European market in media and services. Through several large programmes it has stimulated innovation and the emergence of a European Information Society. The European Commission’s current Digital Agenda for Europe sets the framework for the coming years. In this master programme, you will gain an understanding of European policy and policy-making in the field of media, innovation, and the Internet.

Interdisciplinary user research in the field of new media

People as users of new media and communication technologies are central stakeholders in the European information society. The interplay between changes in new media and in the adoption of these new media in everyday life is important to understand social change in Europe. This master provides you with a deeper understanding of interdisciplinary user research in the field of new media.

Work in the emerging European communication space

This MA programme will equip you with the necessary analytical skills and subject-specific knowledge to work in the emerging European communication space. Being taught in the capital of Europe, it will acquaint you with the European institutions and media players. For that purpose, the programme schedules a yearly lecture series with representatives of European industry and institutions, organizes site visits and offers the possibility of an internship.

Programme

The programme consists of two semesters and is completed in one academic year. It comprises one set of compulsory courses and one set of optional courses. The optional courses allow students to focus on three specific fields: business and markets, policy and governance, user aspects of new media and society in Europe. Instead of choosing from the optional courses, students can decide to do an internship.


Compulsory Courses (48 ECTS)  
 

Master Thesis in Communication Studies
Advanced Methods for Communication Studies
Information Society and Globalisation: Advanced Theoretical Debates
EU Media and Communication Policy
Lecture Series on European Information Society

Optional Courses (12 ECTS)    

European Media & Communication Markets
Critical Issues in Media Economics
European Innovation Policy
Current Case Studies: Global and Regional Governance
Global and Regional Internet Governance
Comparative Communication Research
Media, Culture and Globalisation Theory
Users and Innovation in New Media
Business and Consumer Ethics
Internship

Strong focus on current trends

The Master has a strong focus on current trends and is supported by state of the art research from two partnering research institutes of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel: the centre for Studies on Media, Information and Telecommunication (SMIT) (smit.vub.ac.be) and the Institute for European Studies (IES) (www.ies.be).

Interdisciplinary understanding of new media and society in Europe

The programme allows for choice and is focused on an interdisciplinary understanding of new media and society in Europe. The flexible program allows for students to pursue their interests and to develop expertise. Teaching takes place in small groups, using interactive teaching methods. The programme stimulates individual participation, critical thinking and discussion with staff and fellow students. The highly specialized staff and researchers provide excellent guidance in writing your master thesis in a variety of subject fields. The Master thesis can be written in one of the following languages: English, Dutch, French or German (the three last ones only on approval of the supervisor).


Admission requirements

Direct admission

Direct access is granted for students with a Belgian Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies.

Application based admission

An Admission Board will evaluate the applications on an individual basis. The Board can decide to oblige the applicant to complete an individual preparatory programme of up to 24 ECTS for students with an Academic BA in the Human and Social Sciences or up to 30 ECTS for students with an Academic BA in another discipline. This preparatory programme can be followed while starting the Master.

More Information

http://www.vub.ac.be/communicationstudies




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