Target group / Profile

The dual bachelor degree program allows students to combine their study of communication with another major. Combining majors is ideal for careers in media that are focused on specific branches, such as political communication or business journalism. The dual bachelor degree program allows students to implement the thematic applications of communication studies in other interests and inclinations. The module structure’s theoretical and empirically-orientated research focus and media-practical elements inform students of the necessary perspectives for the successful completion of jobs and tasks related to the media.

Standard period of study and Workload

 

The dual bachelor degree program is comprised of 180 ECTS credits, which are divided among six semesters and amount to a complete workload of 5400 hours. ECTS credits are a quantitative measurement of the student’s workload. They comprise the time necessary for attending lectures and seminars; for preparation and follow-up work, for the exam phases and exam preparation, and for the mandatory internship.

In the dual bachelor degree program, the student must attain 75 credits from each major (for a total of 150 credits, or 4500 hours). An additional 20 credits need to be attained from General Studies (each major has a General Studies module that is worth 5 credits). The Department of Communication has established a specific module to complete this requisite: The General Studies Module, which supports and supplements a major in communication studies. The final 10 credits are allocated to the bachelor’s thesis, which can be written on a subject of either major.

 

Module structure

Module Definition	ECTS / SWS	Influence on final grade	Attendance/ Self-study	Status
Introductory Module I: Foundations of ComStud I	8 / 4	10%	60h / 180h	Mandatory
Introductory Module II: Foundations of Comstud II	8 / 4	10%	60h / 180h	Mandatory
Methods Module I: Data Collection	8 / 4	10%	60h / 180h	Mandatory
Methods Module II: Data Analysis	7 / 4	10%	60h / 150h	Mandatory
Communication - and Media Practice I	12 / 4	10%	60h / 300h	Mandatory
Thematic Module 1: Module 8 ("Society, The Public, Culture") or Module 9 ("PR- and Advertising Research ") or Module 10 ("Journalism Research ") or Module 11 ("Media- and Reception Research ")	12 / 4	20%	60h / 300h	Elictive
Thematic Module 2: Module 8 ("Society, The Public, Culture ") or Module 9 ("PR- and Advertising Research ") or Module 10 ("Journalism Research ") or Module 11 ("Media- and Reception Research ")	12 / 4	20%	60h / 300h	Elictive
Practical Research	8 / 2	10%	30h / 210h	Mandatory
General Studies: Introduction into scientific work	5 / 2	According to Double Bachelor conditions [1]	30h / 120h	Mandatory
Exam Module: Bachelor's Thesis	10 / -	According to Double Bachelor conditions [2]	- / 300h	Elictive

^[1] Of the 20 credits in the General Studies module, 5 are allocated to communication studies (Module 13). The overall grade received for the completion of the General Studies module is the grade point average of the courses within the module. How the grade of the General Studies module is weighted, as well as how it is determined, are subject to §13 for the conditions of Bachelor examinations of the WWU within the Dual Bachelor-Model from January 22, 2004 in the version from February 6, 2008.

^[2] The bachelor’s thesis must be written in one of the two majors in which 75 academic performance credits need to be attained. Students who decide to write their thesis in communication studies are subject to the subject-specific regulations of the Communication Studies Dual Bachelor (Section 4.1 §2 and §4), as well as the conditions for the bachelor examinations at the WWU within the Dual Bachelor Model from January 22, 2004 in the version from February 6, 2008.

Overview of the internal structure of the bachelor modules and QISPOS examination-numbers

Module	Name / Kind of course	ECTS	Influence on Module grade	QISPOS examination-number
Introductory Module I	Introduction to ComStud I	8	/	11001
	Module Final Exam I	0	100%	11010
Introductory Module II	Introduction to ComStud II	8	/	12001
	Module Final Exam II	0	100%	12010
Methods Module I	Lecture "Data Collection"	5	/	13001
	Seminar "Data Collection"	3	/	13002
	Module Final Exam	0	100%	13010
Methods Module II	Lecture "Data Analysis"	5	/	14001
	Seminar "Data Analysis"	2	/	14002
	Module Final Exam	0	100%	14010
Communication and Media Practice I	Seminar	6	50%	15001
	Seminar	6	50%	15002
Thematic Module "Society, The Public, Culture"	Lecture	5	40%	18001
	Seminar	7	60%	18002
Thematic Module "PR- and Advertising Research "	Lecture	5	40%	19001
	Seminar	7	60%	19002
Thematic Module "Journalism Research"	Lecture	5	40%	20001
	Seminar	7	60%	20002
Thematic Module “Reception Research"	Lecture	5	40%	21001
	Seminar	7	60%	21002
Practical Research	Seminar	8	/	22001
	Module Final Exam	0	100%	22002

 

Modules M1, M2, M3, M4, and M13 should be completed in the first two semesters. At this time, students are provided with a broad foundation of the theoretical, methodical, and career-oriented basics of communication studies. This foundation is especially important later, when subjects are discussed in more detail and as students begin to develop interest in specific career paths, for instance in Thematic Modules I and II or in Communication and Media Practice I. The Practical Research Module combines the accumulated methodological knowledge acquired in the first two semesters with the expertise of the Introductory or Thematic Module. It retraces the research process, so that students who decide to complete the Exam Module at the Department of Communication can complete research on their bachelor’s thesis more or less independently.

Additional information about the bachelor in communication studies can be found on the German IfK homepage and at WWU academic advising.