Modules and course of studies
The English-language programme is offered in two variants: three-semester for graduates of relevant seven-semester Bachelor programmes (210 CP ECTS required), four-semester for those from six-semester Bachelor programmes (180 CP ECTS required). The latter is preceded by a practical semester. Together, all students acquire in-depth methodological, theoretical and conceptual knowledge in the fields of technology and society in two attendant semesters. These are put into practice in workshops and laboratories. Elective modules enable individual specialisation. The Master’s thesis is written in the final semester. Detailed descriptions of the courses can be found below in English and in the module manual (pdf download in English, German).
Lab I and Lab II are the centerpieces of our study program. Both offer space for in-depth discussions, intense group work, and a focus on current topics. The Laboratory I module focuses on project-oriented work on conceptual issues in connection with empirical (usage) research. Students work in groups on issues relating to media and format development and strategic corporate development. The Laboratory II module focuses on individual research projects, from brainstorming and research to developing and implementing a research design. Students work in groups on questions from media and communication studies or science and technology studies.
Additionally, students get to present and discuss current topics, developments and trends in the media public in a weekly colloquium. If suitable, the current debates are supported by external experts.
The module examines technical developments in the light of their social context, focusing on both the assessment of the social consequences of technical innovation and its social preconditions. This provides a complementary perspective to the issues dealt with in the Sustainable Society module.
In a first, more theoretical part, relevant positions in the sociology of technology, philosophy of technology and the interdisciplinary research field of Science & Technology Studies (STS) are discussed. The second part of the lecture then deals with current technical challenges: datafication, automation and algorithms; the Internet of Things, digital public spheres and platforms, media convergence, etc.
Lectures and exercises within the Society module focus on the social aspects of technological progress in media. First of all, the focus is on social change, its technologically induced components and the special responsibility of the media towards these processes, as well as the large topic area of sustainability.
Since media itself also participate in and is subject to societal technological change, the module also deals with the topic of change management. In addition, the subject of public value leads to alternative concepts for the classic measures of success of economic, governmental and civil society action.
Specified Elective modules are the optimal complement to the practice-oriented Laboratories. These freely selectable obligatory modules allow for individual specialisation.
Overall, the range of electives is broad, so that students with different pre-study backgrounds have the opportunity to complement their personal profiles. However, not all courses are always available, but the head of the programme will respond to the needs of the respective year groups.
Topics A and B
This section of the Electives module deals with various in-depth topics in the fields of media, technology and society. In the first attendance semester, within the Topics A module, subjects around digital journalism and communication or lifelong learning are covered. In the second attendance semester, in the Topics B module, students get the chance to explore diverse facets around the connection between digitization and society or subject areas such as Corporate Social Responsibility, Public Service Media or Visual Communication. Within the Topics Elective, students may choose one course per semester.
Methods and Procedures
In the Elective “Methods and Procedure”s, which takes place in the first attendance semester, students get the chance to deepen their methodological skills. Topics such as Research Methods, Media Project Management, Data Research, Analysis and Presentation, Text Analytics and Text Mining for Online Communication are addressed.
Application
The Elective Application takes place in the second semester of attendance. Here, courses such as Leadership in Media and Communication, Data-driven Marketing, Marketing and Brand Development or Startup Culture can be chosen.
In the final semester, the Master Thesis is written. The methodological and theoretical knowledge in the field of media, technology and society acquired during the studies should be applied in this final project.
The Master Thesis can be written in different forms: an empirical scientific work, a concept project or a practice project. The Processing time will be five months and written in English.
In this seminar, media change is examined in depth from the perspective of media culture studies – particularly in relation to the ongoing digital transformation.
While the first semester focuses on the relationship between media, society, and culture, which will be analyzed and discussed against the background of the technical conditionality and the social and cultural embedding of media, the second course taps into digitization and sustainability in the light of communication studies.
Further information about the course, the modules and the structure can be found in the flyer or the module manual.
Hochschule Darmstadt. What can I expect?
A Master’s degree from h_da is the best preparation for an apprenticeship. Promising career start. According to the ranking of the magazine „Wirtschaftswoche“ h_da was included in the list of the Top ten HR managers in Germany for years.
The University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt is known for:
- Practical relevance through professional experience
instructor. - Learning and working in medium-sized groups.
- The promotion of soft skills and comprehensive knowledge with integrated content
from the social sciences and the humanities.
An absolutely practical master’s degree: Insider knowledge and media competence are included in the course.
