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).
Study progress
The Laboratory module focuses on project work. In this course, students form small groups and develop their own semester projects in the fields of media, technology and society. These can be small research projects, but also conceptual work, for example. Methodical skills, which have already been acquired in the basic studies are deepened here through practical project work.
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 laboratory module takes place as the Laboratory A in the first and the Laboratory B in the second semester in the 3 semester variant (second and third semester in the 4 semester programme)
This module deals with the technical basics of production, distribution and archiving of current (online) media. Further, current and emerging technological developments with potential influence on the media industry are addressed and discussed on their social relevance.
In particular, technological developments in the following fields can be covered: Big data and smart data, algorithms related to media, the convergence through digitalisation of media, mobility and media and the interface between man and machine.
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.
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.
