This course examines how European integration is perceived by both citizens and political elites, exploring public attitudes toward the EU in the context of current geopolitical and societal challenges. It addresses the rise of Euroscepticism, the role of populist movements, and the impact of key events such as the war in Ukraine. A special focus is placed on political campaigning in European elections and referendums, including the role of emotions and citizen engagement. The course also considers external perspectives on the EU from non-European actors and the role of the news media in shaping public opinion and political participation.

This course focuses on the interplay between journalism and politics in modern democratic societies and the production of political communication. It addresses different models and conceptions of political journalism, the role of journalism in society, ethical considerations, issues of freedom of speech, and the question of what represents “good” political journalism today. The course also explores (non-) government communication, e.g.: how politicians, NGOs, and social movements interact with the media and citizens.

This an introduction to the conduct of the individual Master's thesis in the second semester. You meet several times in groups of 20 to 25 students, under the supervision of a researcher from your track. During this course, you draw up an Initial Thesis Proposal that you will continue to work on during the course ‘Methods and Statistics Tailored to Thesis'.

This course explores the growing role of data in journalism, from analysing large datasets to uncovering stories to enhancing transparency in news reporting. It examines how journalists use computational techniques to work with government data, leaks, and online sources. Alongside discussions on the challenges and opportunities of data-driven reporting, you will gain hands-on experience with Python for retrieving, analysing, and visualising data. The course also covers techniques for cleaning messy data and finding compelling narratives within large datasets, equipping you with essential skills for modern journalism.

You choose from a range of thematic courses that cover different topics within the field of communication science. These include, for example, investigative journalism, solutions journalism, political marketing, social media and politics, media strategies, media entertainment, corporate communication, public relations and brands and organisations in social media.

This course builds on the “Thesis Preparation Group” by deepening your methodological knowledge for your Master’s thesis. It covers research design, data collection, and analysis, with a focus on developing both quantitative and qualitative research instruments. Through lectures, group work, and in-class working sessions, you refine your thesis ideas and tailor research methods to your projects. Assignments are closely linked to individual research topics, ensuring a practical and customised learning experience.

In this course, you'll create a journalistic product related to your thesis research, using principles of science journalism. You'll learn to clearly present your research to a wider audience through various media, such as print, video, or data visualisations. Throughout the semester, you'll develop and produce a journalistic piece that communicates your thesis findings in an engaging and accessible way, integrating contemporary journalism techniques to tell a compelling story.

In your thesis, you'll conduct independent research in communication science, developing skills in problem formulation, research design, data collection, and analysis. You'll create a thesis under the guidance of a supervisor, with an emphasis on clear, systematic reporting of your findings. The course Journalistic Product is linked to your thesis.