Journalism

Contents

The Master in Communication Sciences is a scientific formation tailored to today’s job market. The realm of mass communication is extensively covered: both classical mass media (press, radio, television and film) as well as new communication technologies. Each of these are approached from several domains: sociological, psychological, historical, judicial, cultural and political economical.

Students acquire the necessary research skills to perform scientific research independently. In this broad academic programme there is also enough room for more practice-oriented issues, courtesy of the extensive input of guest lecturers from the professional world.

The specialisation in Journalism and Society offers students the opportunity to gain thorough and valuable insight into the societal role of journalism. The programme focuses on scientific research in the tradition of ‘journalism studies’ but at the same time presents students with an introduction to the professional domain. This specialisation is supported by the Center for Journalism Studies (CJS).

Obligatory courses

 The specialization in Journalism provides students with the necessary knowledge about the social role of media, news and journalism, as well as the professional skills to operate in today’s news landscape.

 The Master programme focuses on the following courses:

• Current affairs in journalism: students gain insights into the practices of news sources, the organization and functioning of editorial boards, design of the journalistic product, and the impact of new communication technologies on journalism.
• Politics and media: this course deepens the insights of journalistic news gathering and production by specifically focusing on the interdependent relationship between political actors, journalists and the public from an interdisciplinary perspective (mainly in interaction with insights from political sciences).
• Business models for digital media: students focus on central issues from the contemporary media sector, with the central question being how new technologies shake up economic power relations in the media sector and specifically in the field of journalism.    

The connection with the professional field is established in in a more practical and technical way by the course on Journalistic Practice. Students explore and develop their journalistic skills under the guidance of practical assistants from the professional field.

To complete the Master programme, students have to write a Master’s dissertation.

Elective courses and internship

Apart from the obligatory courses, students can further customize their programme by choosing elective courses. Students can also opt for studies abroad or for an internship. The latter can be a research internship or an internship within the professional field of journalism and the broader media industry. 

Labour market

Graduates of the specialisation Journalism and Society are employed in a large number of fields and a broad spectrum of companies and institutions. They can work in the media industry, at advertising agencies as well as in new and social media companies. Companies outside of the broad media domain also employ communication scientists to guide their internal and external communication processes.

Some graduates opt for a career in (scientific) research, while others choose to continue their education to gain employment in an education setting. Several administrative services; the sociocultural sector and policy institutions also actively look for communication scientists.

More info (Dutch)