Master s Degree Programme in Communication (Media and Global Communication)

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1 Master s Degree Programme in Communication (Media and Global Communication) Master of Social Sciences / M.Soc.Sci. In Finnish: Maisteriopinnot/Vtm ECTS: 120 Advanced studies: ECTS Elective studies and other studies: ECTS Degree structure and study guide of Master of Social Sciences Degree Programme in Media and Global Communication (120 ECTS) The structure of the programme The master's degree programme Media and Global Communication (MGC) is a twoyear full-time programme. The programme fulfils the requirements of a 120 ECTS (European Transfer Credit System) master's degree in social sciences at the Faculty of Social Sciences. Advanced studies in communication Other studies (Orientation and Academic Writing) Electives Complementary studies (If necessary) ECTS 2+4 ECTS ECTS 5-15 ECTS Advanced Studies 92 or 94 ECTS Advanced studies include theoretical and thematically focused core field studies, advanced research methodology, master s seminar, internship and the master s dissertation. The internship (7 ECTS) can be compensated with a special course (5 ECTS) if the student cannot find a suitable work place. Elective Studies ECTS The students are recommended to participate in other courses in English that are offered by the department of social research/ media and communication studies. They may also participate in courses offered by the faculty of social sciences and by other departments of the faculty, and in general, other courses offered in other faculties of the University of Helsinki. Other Studies 4-6 ECTS Orientation and Academic Writing are compulsory for all MGC students (Students who studied in the University of Helsinki earlier are exempt of the orientation course). The students who have completed their high school degree in Finland are also 1

2 required to do the language courses (Swedish) that are required by the faculty. Orientation and Personal Study Plan (2 ECTS): This unit is compulsory for students who have not studied in the University of Helsinki before. The aim of the unit is to get the students familiar with the education system at University of Helsinki. In the beginning of their studies, the students are required to do a personal study plan. The personal study plan is reviewed later during the master s seminar. Academic Writing (4 ECTS) : All MGC students are required to attend in the Academic Writing for Media and Global Communication Master's Students course where they learn how to write texts in a scientific style. Complementary Studies up to 15 ECTS Complementary courses may be required as extracurricular studies depending on the previous studies of the students. - Research Methodology (5 ECTS) - Statistics (10 ECTS) The language of studies The official language of the Master Degree Programme in Media and Global Communication is English. However, it is possible to include courses taken in other languages (e.g. during international exchange or exchange at another university in Finland) in the degree. The amount of courses in other languages than English cannot exceed 25% of the number of the total credits of the programme. That is equivalent to 30 ECTS credits in the MGC programme. 2

3 Advanced Studies (WebOodi code for the whole unit: ) 92 or 94 ECTS The aim of the advanced studies is to focus on different intellectual discussions and scientific methods within the field of communication. Another objective is to deepen and broaden the knowledge in communication theory and analysis. Advanced studies also set the grounds of applying research methods in communication studies. The purpose is to promote the process of writing the Master s thesis. The advanced studies include a voluntary internship unit. The aim of the internship/work placement unit is to prepare the student for working life after graduation. When the student has completed all of the individual units in this study module, s/he must get the module graded and registered as advanced studies in communication in the discipline of media and communication studies. The overall grading scale is from 0 to 5. The Master s thesis (40 ECTS) is graded separately. Study unit MGC 1 Introduction to Media and Global Communication, 5 ECTS WebOodi code: Unit Description: The course introduces students to the various theories, debates and concepts that have guided the study of international communication and the globalization of media. With the help of the course, the students will be better prepared to evaluate critically different perspectives on media and global communication and to apply them to their own research subjects. Contents: The course consists of lectures and joint discussions of selected key texts on different paradigms of international communication and media globalization research. Each student will also write an essay on a topic that is related to the perspectives that are discussed in the course. Lecturer: University lecturer and visiting lecturers Mode of Teaching: Lectures, workshops, or seminars Mode of Assessment: Participation in lectures, essay or learning diary Course Literature: Some of the course literature will be provided partly by the lecturer in addition to these books below. Marko Ampuja (2010): The Media and the Academic Globalization Debate. Theoretical Analysis and Critique. Terry Flew (2007): Understanding Global Media. Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan. Colin Sparks (2007): Globalization, Development and the Mass Media. London: Sage. Daya Kishan Thussu (2006): International Communication. Continuity and Change. 2nd edition. Hodder Arnold

4 Study unit MGC 2 Global Media Industries and Structures, 5 ECTS WebOodi code: Unit Description: This unit examines the political and economic structures that guide production and management today in different sectors of international media. Attention will also be given to the ways in which recent technological changes have affected the economic dynamics and democratic potentialities of media production globally. Contents: The course consists of lectures given by Finnish and international experts on the field. They explore recent important economic, political and technological trends in various media sectors, including television, radio, journalism, public service broadcasting and so-called alternative media production. Lecturer: University lecturer and visiting lecturers Mode of Teaching: Lectures, workshops or seminars Mode of Assessment: Participation in lectures, essay or learning diary Course Literature: Some of the course literature will be provided partly by the lecturer in addition to these books below. David Hesmondhalgh (2007): The Cultural Industries. 2nd edition. Sage. Simon Cottle (ed.) (2003): Media Organization and Production. Sage. Mark Deuze (2007): Media Work. Polity Press. Study unit MGC 3 Theoretical and Contemporary Issues in Media and Global Communication, 20 ECTS (4 x 5 ECTS) WebOodi code (for the whole unit) Students are required to attend to minimum four MGC3 courses. Unit description: The aim of the unit is to give the students a deeper understanding about theoretical and methodological approaches in Media and Global Communication studies. A variety of courses will be offered each year in areas such as global media and governance, current challenges in journalism, and new communication technologies. The contents of this section will be tailored individually together with the student, so that it supports the writing of the Master s thesis. Students will complete at least four courses within this study unit. It is recommended to complete more courses from this unit as part of elective studies. Lecturer: University lecturer and/or visiting lecturers Mode of Teaching: Lectures, group work, seminars, 20 hours 4

5 Mode of Assessment: Participation in lectures, essays, exams, learning diaries. Study unit MGC 4 Advanced Research Methods in Communication, 6 ECTS WebOodi code: Unit description: The aim of the unit is to train the students in gaining skills in using research methods. The students choose one method to work with to deepen their understanding of that method. The main objective of the course is to give support for the Master s Thesis. The students will work on the possible method that they will use for their Master s research. The students are expected to understand why they choose a specific method and the process of doing research. Lecturer: University Lecturer Mode of Teaching: Lectures and workshops Mode of Assessment: Participation, assignments and Research report Course Literature: Some of the course literature will be provided partly by the lecturer in addition to these books below. Alan Bryman (2008): Social Research Methods. Oxford University Press. Robert V. Kozinets (2010): Netnography. Doing Ethnographic Research Online. Sage. Michael Pickering (2008): Research Methods for Cultural Studies. Edinburgh University Press. Study unit MGC 5 Practical Training/Work Placement, 7 ECTS/ This course can be replaced by tutoring or a special course 5 ECTS WebOodi code: Unit description: The aim of the unit is to familiarize the student with working in public administration, non-governmental organizations, or in the private sector. The main requirements for completion of the unit include three months of uninterrupted full-time training in a workplace, which has been accepted by the advisor in charge of the study unit, as well as a written report about the traineeship period. The students search and find their traineeship place on their own. Information on vacant training placements can be searched for at the web page of the career services of University of Helsinki: The department has annually a limited number of grants sponsored by the university. To apply for this grant the students must have completed a minimum of 180 credits with basic and intermediate studies in Communication (or BA completed elsewhere). In case there are more applicants than the number of grants, the students are selected by lottery. 5

6 It may be somewhat difficult for international students who do not understand Finnish to find a traineeship position. They need to be more active themselves in searching for an appropriate place for traineeship. The traineeship may also be done abroad. Students may also apply for an Erasmus grant for traineeship in other European countries. The Erasmus office of the university gives more information about these grants and the application process. In the required written report, the students are expected to write about their work experiences from a critical point of view. Useful links: The unit is graded as pass or fail. Study unit MGC 6 Master s Seminar /Research Seminar + Personal Study Plan 11 ECTS, Web Oodi code: Prerequisite: Academic Writing Unit description: This seminar is designed to foster and support the writing of the Master s thesis. The objective of this seminar is improved performance in the following areas: scientific thinking, research skills, oral and written presentation skills, and critical individual and collective evaluation of research papers. Content: Each student will present a study plan and one paper during a semester (a literature review during the spring semester and report on methodology and data collection during the autumn semester). Each student will also engage in peer-reviewing during the seminar. Lecturer: University lecturer Mode of Teaching: Lectures and group work, individual guidance and student presentations, 40 hours during two academic terms. Mode of Assessment: Mandatory participation for two semesters (four periods), research plan, and draft literature review, draft methods section, peer-reviews. Personal Study Plan: The students make a personal study plan together with their teacher-tutor when they start studying in the master s program. During the master s seminar the tutor and the student will together revise the personal study plan of the student; they will evaluate and update the current situation and will make a timetable for the master s thesis. 6

7 Study unit MGC 7 Master's Thesis, 40 ECTS, WebOodi code: Prerequisite: MGC6 Master s Seminar Unit Description: The aim of the unit is to familiarize the students into independent and critical research work, argumentation, searching and using literature and research material for scientific writing. Mode of Assessment: Writing of the Master's thesis is mainly independent work supported by advanced seminars and study groups. During the writing process students consult their own supervisor on a regular basis. Grading: The thesis is graded as fail, approbatur, lubenter approbatur, non sine laude approbatur, cum laude approbatur, magna cum laude approbatur, eximia cum laude approbatur, laudatur. 7