European Media Studies Bachelors and Masters Course Description
 
 
One topic, two universities
Founded in 2000, the programme European Media Studies is a cooperative programme of the University of Potsdam (Institute for Arts and Media) and the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam (Department of Design). The University of Potsdam and the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam run the consecutive degree programme jointly and equally at both Bachelor's and Master's level. Students are enrolled at the University of Potsdam.

With regard to an international cultural, media and legal area, the degree programme teaches both theoretical knowledge and creative-conceptual skills in dealing with media, markets, cultures and the arts. This includes, in particular, the examination of cultural-historical backgrounds and conditions, which distinguishes European Media Studies as a cultural-scientific and at the same time practice-oriented subject.

The overcoming of former borders, which is conceptually expressed in the inter-university cooperation, is reflected in the degree programme title "European Media Studies" and in the preoccupation with Europe as an idea, historical reference and international space. This preoccupation comes to bear in the Bachelor's programme, especially through the intensive examination of European cultural history and European media law. Building on this, the Master's programme is particularly focused on international media law. In the sense of the European idea of transnational connections, European Media Studies has a transnational orientation and is not limited to Europe in its international perspective. Aware that Europe is constituted in exchange, interaction and also conflict with other regions, European Media Studies transcends territorial and cultural boundaries, pursues media studies issues on this side and beyond European traditions and thus enables a critical examination of European history and the present.

Because media are constantly gaining in importance with new technologies and changing cultural practices, the programme is based on a broad concept of media. It encompasses all kinds of media techniques and practices and thus a field that includes, for example, literature, photography, film, radio, television, computer games and other forms of digital media as well as basic media such as writing, images, signs and sound. A theory of media also asks - and with recourse to interdisciplinary research - about the characteristics of mediality in general.

The close cooperation between two different types of higher education institutions makes it possible to combine theoretical, aesthetic and cultural-historical knowledge with practical media design and media conception in a degree programme that also incorporates different knowledge and teaching cultures. This results in an innovative degree programme with a high proportion of projects that meets the demands of today's world of work and experience.

This form of cooperation between university and university of applied sciences is unique in Germany. It is based on a fundamental interlocking of theory and practice, which are examined for their interactions. Just as every form of media practice realises implicit or explicit theoretical assumptions, every form of theory also realises itself as a particular practice. In this sense, European Media Studies is dedicated to both practice in theory and theory in practice.

The study of European Media Studies consists of a three-year Bachelor's programme and a two-year Master's programme. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and the Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees are awarded. Enrolment takes place in the winter semester. The number of participants is limited.