Media Studies, Master 2 subject

  • In what way do media influence how meaning is generated?
  • How can the historical, aesthetic und technical dimensions of media be addressed?
  • Which part do media play in the history and formation of the social and cultural sphere and of knowledge?
  • How can the interrelationship between aesthetic and socio-political functions of media be described?
  • What is the function of media with regard to representation and formation of cultural identities?
Maria Steinmetz

Those seminars that focus on practical application and on film critique and analysis are what I like best.

– Maria Steinmetz, Bachelor's degree

Profile

Degree
Master of Arts
Start
Winter- and summer semester
Duration
4 semesters
Classroom language
German
Admission
Not restricted, application at the faculty required
Information on enrollment/application for German applicants

Information on enrollment/application for German applicants

Application information for international applicants

Application information for international applicants

What's it all about?
This degree programme is unique, because ...
it paves the way for participating in current international research issues in the field of media studies, offers innovative teaching methods, ensures strong mentor-student relationships, and enables students to research in a self-reliant manner.
It provides the opportunity to specialise in the following fields ...
  • Media history and media theory
  • Media aesthetics and media politics
  • Media, Gender and Queer
  • Digital Media
Who is suited?
Those who wish to enrol in this degree programme,
has: an interest in investigating issues and research methods pertaining to media culture
enjoys: developing subjective perspectives and theses whilst maintaining a dialogue with discipline-related theories
struggles through: comprehensive, frequently English-language texts and complex theories
This degree programme is suited for graduates in the following subjects
  • Media Studies
  • Film and Television Studies
  • Communication Science
  • Journalism
  • Media Culture
Graduates from this degree programme frequently work
  • in media-related research and academia
  • in arts and communication management
  • in media production, distribution and evaluation
  • in applied reception and media research
  • in editing
And else?
An internship ...

is recommended. It is done during the degree course.

Studying abroad ... is recommended. It is done from the 2nd semester.
Duration: 1 semester
Where do I find help?
Academic advisory office

Dr. Timo Kaerlein
Building, Room: GB 1/41
Phone: +49 (0)234 / 32-+49 (0) 234 / 32 – 27698
Email:
Website academic advisory office

Contact students

Fachschaft Medienwissenschaft
Building, Room: GA 2/39
Phone: +49 (0)234 / 32-24719
Email:
Website Fachschaft

Serafima Sobinina

You learn a lot about the nature of media, their structure, and about media and especially film history. All this was great, seeing as I’m a film enthusiast.

– Serafima Sobinina, Master's degree

Other degree programs in the subject

Maria Steinmetz
Maria Steinmetz is a third-year student of Media Studies. She is pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree, 2-subject programme. Maria’s other discipline is German Studies.

What made you choose this degree programme?

In order to work in the media industry in future.

In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?

The programme provides a good insight into the highly diverse media world – unfortunately, in a manner that is very abstract and removed from reality.

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

Seminars that focus on practical application and on film critique and analysis

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

Creating a schedule that combines courses from both my degree programmes in a manner that makes sense – a logistical tour de force!

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

I would love to work in the PR industry. However, I have not committed myself yet, seeing as this degree programme provides a plethora of opportunities.

Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?

You should be aware that the basic classes are very much theoretical in nature. The fun doesn’t start until after you’ve completed the first two semesters.

Serafima Sobinina
Serafima Sobinina studied Media Studies and English/American Studies in the Bachelor of Arts, 2-subject programme. This was followed by her Master of Arts degree Media Studies, 1 subject.

What made you choose this degree programme?

I chose my degree course more or less on the spur of the moment. My original plan was to pursue English studies. But because this degree course has to be studied in combinations with another other subject at RUB, I had to come up with a second option. I liked the description of the degree course, and I have been interested in films and series since I was a teenager; I even did some filming myself every now and then. I felt that media studies made a good combination with English studies. And now I am more than happy about my choice.

In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?

You learn a lot about the nature of media, their structure, and about media and especially film history. All this was great, seeing as I’m a film enthusiast. My understanding of films and other media products has improved.

Unfortunately, the degree course didn’t offer much in terms of practice. My expectations in that regard had been quite different. But after all: it’s all about media STUDIES, not about the creation of media. It’s important to be aware of this fact before opting to study this degree course. You will study a lot of theory; and there are a few practical seminars, but on the whole it’s up to you to find ways of getting hands-on experience.

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

As part of media studies, the field of game studies has been booming. And could there be anything better than combining your hobby with university?! Studying video games from the academic perspective has been a fascinating experience.

Another great aspect was: the almost entirely free choice of topics for term papers (which had to comply with the overall theme of the seminar, of course). For example, I had the opportunity to write a paper on one of my favourite games, namely Skyrim, for a gaming seminar, and another paper on the anime “Serial Experiments Lain” in the “Bewusstseinsräume und Seelenlandschaften im Film” (“spaces of consciousness and soul landscapes in film”) seminar . I had a lot of fun delving into these subjects.

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

The seminar on film theory according to Gilles Deleuze. It was incredibly demanding. Highly philosophical, very complicated texts – a whole book in fact – authored by the French philosopher Gilles Deleuze, which we studied in its entirety in the seminar. I had to make a presentation on the subject of self-reflection in film, and after reading the text for three hours, I had no idea what it said. Fortunately, I was able to ask my lecturer for advice and she helped me understand it. But it was very difficult, especially since I had to make a presentation about something that I did not at first understand.

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

I've been polishing my practical skills handling the camera and editing software through internships and I’m planning to pursue a career in this area. The future will show if I’ll end up working with an advertising agency, producing image films for clients and being involved in marketing campaigns, or if I’ll be working as a freelance contractor with a broadcasting company.

Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?

As member of the departmental student committee, one of my duties is to advise prospective students. The first thing I tell them is: you won’t be studying journalism, marketing, or media management. Reading and discussing texts makes up 70% of the degree course. It’s very important to consider all this before making the choice. First-year students often have unrealistic expectations of a degree course, and at the departmental student committee, we try to clear up the misunderstandings at the outset.