Bachelor of Arts "Communication Studies"

Communication studies deals with the social conditions, meanings and consequences of media, public and interpersonal communication. The subject is a theoretical and empirical social science with interdisciplinary links. It conducts fundamental research to educate society, contributes to solving problems in communication practice through applied research, and provides training for a communication industry that has seen dynamic growth for many years – according to the mission statement of our professional association, the German Communication Association (DGPuK).

The degree course in communication studies in Greifswald does justice to the diversity of the phenomenon of communication and covers the subject in its entire breadth. During your BA course, you will first learn the basics of interpersonal communication and then deal with more complex forms of social communication in groups, organisations and the public sphere. The degree course in Greifswald generally serves to develop solid scientific and professional skills that can also be applied in professional fields of communication thanks to their application-oriented focus. You will become familiar with approaches to and methods of communication theory, acquire knowledge about structural problems in a modern communication society, and be able to apply your knowledge and skills in various practical fields.

The degree course consists of nine modules, each focusing on specific topics and learning objectives. We combine theoretical foundations with application-oriented methods so that you gradually learn to formulate scientific questions and work on them independently. Theory and research practice run parallel throughout the degree course and are particularly closely linked in the final stage of studies.

In the first semester, you will start with the module ‘Fundamentals of Communication Studies’. Here you will gain a comprehensive overview of the central questions, theories and topics of the subject. You will also learn the basics of linguistics, which will help you to better understand communication processes. In the module ‘Methods of Communication Studies,’ which spans semesters 1 and 2, you will learn the basics of academic work: How are new insights gained? What does it mean to think critically? At the same time, you will gain a broad overview of various research methods. In the module ‘Methods of Empirical Communication Studies I,’ you will apply basic methods of data collection. This module continues in the second semester, where you will apply further methods of data collection and evaluation.

In the second semester, you will further expand your methodological knowledge and scientific techniques. At the same time, you will deal with interpersonal communication – i.e. personal conversations between people. The focus is on the social and cultural structures that serve as the framework for interpersonal communication. You will learn how two people communicate with each other, why they understand each other and how these processes can be analysed.

The third semester focuses on the use, reception and impact of media communication. You will learn theoretical perspectives on why people use media, what functions they fulfil in everyday life and how their content is perceived. You will also examine the question as to how media communication affects individuals and society. In this semester, you will continue to expand your methodological skills: you will learn how to use computers to evaluate data and understand the necessary statistical principles.

The fourth semester is devoted to the economic and political structures of media-mediated communication and their historical developments. Topics such as communication ethics, cultural differences in the media landscape, and the structural and functional conditions of public communication are central to this. In addition, you will receive an introduction to the legal foundations of the media, which operate in the area of conflict between personal rights and freedom of the press.

A major focus of the degree course is on teaching solid scientific skills, particularly in application-oriented work with empirical methods. In the fifth semester, the theoretical and methodological content from the first semesters comes together. You set individual priorities by developing application-oriented research questions, underpinning them theoretically and working on them empirically in small groups. At the same time, you reflect on the research process with regard to the ethical principles of research.

The practical part of the semester offers a second application-oriented perspective.

In practical media exercises, you will learn to apply journalistic techniques and create your own media products – always with an eye on current communication trends.

In the sixth semester, we will prepare you specifically for career entry and for your dissertation. You will train your communication skills by presenting your work results in writing and orally, presenting arguments convincingly and giving confident presentations.

Interest in reading, thinking, researching and communicating about social phenomena in a constantly changing media society. Good English skills will be advantageous for studying specialist literature; analytical and problem-solving skills are expected.

Public relations, journalism, communication and media research, media or communication management, and communication training and education.