6 ECTS credits
175 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 1001288BNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.
“The course ‘Media Studies II’ builds on ‘Media Studies I’ and further explores the interdisciplinary development of the field. The focus lies on how research questions emerge, evolve, and are continuously shaped by scientific paradigms and broader socio-historical contexts. We examine a capita selecta of key theoretical traditions and methodological approaches within the discipline, and analyze how media, technology, and society mutually constitute one another. Specifically, five thematic approaches are explored to illustrate the field’s breadth: (1) mass media, manipulation, and the culture industry; (2) media and technological determinism; (3) media and the public sphere; (4) the active audience and meaning-making in/through media; (5) media and the construction of taste and social identities.
A central premise of this course is that communication science theories, regardless of their historical origins, provide valuable tools for critically analyzing (contemporary) media and communication processes. Therefore, the course systematically builds bridges between theoretical concepts and recent (current affairs-related) case studies, enabling students to apply these insights independently.
The accompanying seminar (WPO) is closely aligned with this approach and aims to train students in critically engaging with academic literature and contemporary media issues, as well as in communicating about these in a clear and structured manner. This is achieved through the collective analysis of academic texts, as well as through group presentations and discussions. Students further refine their academic skills through presentations and a visual final assignment, in which they learn to apply theoretical concepts to contemporary media phenomena and societal trends. Peer assessment is used to foster collaboration and individual reflection.
Further information about the seminar assignments and corresponding expectations is available via the digital learning platform Canvas.
In the lectures, slides are used. The scientific texts serve to support the lectures, in which factual and encyclopedic information is further clarified. During the seminars, the scientific texts constitute the core material required to participate in the sessions and to successfully complete the various exercises.
Additional study material:
At times, recent newspaper articles are used as a point of departure to sharpen theoretical and methodological debates. In addition, students collect and analyze press articles themselves that relate to the tensions identified in the scientific texts.
The study load is estimated as follows:
• Lecture (HOC): collective contact moments during which the course instructor covers the learning content
• Seminars and practical exercises (WPO): collective and individual contact moments during which students engage with the learning content under supervision
• Independent study (SELF): activities carried out without direct contact
The calculation of workload below is indicative and provides an estimate of the expected study load.
HOC: 20 hours
• traditional lectures: 10 x 2 hours
SELF (related to HOC): 78 hours
• keeping up with the course throughout the year and reviewing background information: at a rate of 3 hours per lecture = 10 x 3 = 30 hours
• studying: 6 days of 8 hours = 48 hours
WPO: 6 hours
• Seminar 1: based on the assigned questions, deliver a short group presentation on the core of two foundational academic texts per theme + ask at least two (group-prepared) critical questions about another presentation (2 hours)
• Seminar 2: based on three additional academic sources (in addition to the two from Seminar 1) and three self-selected recent news articles, deliver a presentation + ask at least two (group-prepared) critical questions about another presentation (2 hours)
• Seminar 3: pitching visual essays to the instructor and fellow students and receiving feedback from the instructor(s) (2 hours)
SELF (related to WPO): 71 hours
• thorough reading of all scientific texts associated with the WPO Media Studies II: 36 hours
• preparing the seminars through critical analysis and processing of the group’s own academic texts and press articles: 3 x 3 hours = 9 hours
• writing a peer assessment for each group member, including oneself: 30 minutes x 4 = 2 hours
• working on group presentations and the final assignment (visual essay) based on the assigned and self-selected academic literature, as well as the selected press articles, in addition to the insights and feedback obtained during the seminars: 23 hours
• group feedback: 1 hour (questions via email or during office hours in the exam period)
This course aims to provide insight into how the communication sciences research field has developed and why. The course wishes to provide an overview of the main research questions, theories, concepts, methods and authors used within the communication sciences and what the mutual areas of tension are here. The course should enable students to situate themselves and certain research questions and methods within the field. The study component thus aims to contribute at BA2 level to the formation of the reflective professional specific to the Communication Studies programme.
In particular, this part of the programme contributes to the following learning objectives:
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 60% of the final mark.
Practical Exam determines 35% of the final mark.
Other Exam determines 5% of the final mark.
Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the Practical Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
General:
• The use of generative AI as a supportive tool is permitted. Students must appropriately report their use of AI. Specific instructions will be communicated via the learning platform and during the first lecture.
• If a student does not pass the course unit in the first examination period and is referred to the second examination period, but has obtained a minimum score of 10/20 on one of the two assignment components (HOC or WPO), that partial result will be carried over to the second examination period. However, if the student chooses to retake the examination component for which a minimum of 10/20 was previously obtained, they must notify the instructor by email no later than before the start of the second examination period (see the academic calendar of the relevant academic year). In that case, the previously obtained partial result is forfeited and the new score from the second examination period becomes the official grade for that component, even if it is lower than the original score.
• It is not required that a student passes each individual assessment component separately (i.e., ‘Written Exam’, ‘Practical Exam’, and ‘Other Assessment’); the final grade for this course unit is calculated based on the weighted combination of the three components.
WPO:
• For the first and second seminars, students prepare a group presentation based on pre-assigned questions and academic literature. Guidelines and templates for the presentations are made available in due time via the digital learning platform. In addition to the required core texts, students integrate additional academic sources and recent news articles to deepen their analysis and connect it to contemporary media phenomena. During these seminars, groups present their findings and actively participate in discussions by formulating critical questions about other presentations. In the third and final seminar session, students pitch their visual essays and provide and receive targeted feedback to refine their final work.
• In groups, students work on a visual essay in which they connect a communication science theory from the course to recent academic insights and apply it to a contemporary media phenomenon or socio-cultural issue. This is done on the basis of the required core texts on the one hand, and at least three additional academic sources and three press articles from (inter)nationally recognized news outlets on the other. The visual essay presents a theoretically grounded and critically articulated visual argument, in which image and text together form a clear and well-structured position. In other words, it is not merely an illustration of a written text, but an integrated whole in which visual choices reinforce the central argument. In case of late submission, 5% of the grade for the assignment will be deducted per day of delay.
• Each student conducts a peer assessment for every seminar session, evaluating both themselves and each group member using a provided template and/or software application. This assessment evaluates not only group collaboration, but also the individual preparation and substantive contribution of each student (including oneself). The instructor bases the evaluation on the submitted peer assessments, but may adjust grades if it appears that a student has over- or underestimated themselves or others. Insufficient or superficial evaluations may result in a loss of points.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Philosophy and Moral Sciences: default (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Communication Studies: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Political Science and Sociology: - afstudeerrichting sociologie, minor communicatiewetenschappen (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Political Science and Sociology: - afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen, minor communicatiewetenschappen (only offered in Dutch)
Bridging Programme Master of Science in Communication Studies: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Preparatory Programme Master of Science in Communication Studies: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)