Communication studies in Erfurt

Communication studies (or communication science as we tend to say in German) is a transdisciplinary field of study with a basis in cultural studies (again in the German sense) and in the social sciences. It concentrates on the analysis, explanation, reflection and creation of communication processes, systems and media. A pluralism of methods, a variety of theories and an empirical orientation characterise both research and teaching.

Communication studies in Erfurt is represented by five different professors, who cover not only the traditional basics of social communication and media effects research (Rössler), but additionally offer especially the areas of interpersonal communication (Höflich), international/intercultural communication (Hafez), cultural theory (Krotz) and medium theory (Giesecke).

These areas - and especially the combination thereof - are otherwise hardly represented in the German university landscape. From this, innovative transdisziplinary intersections emerge, as for instance: intercultural interpersonal communication; international political communication; the changes of media and aesthetics; comparative culture studies (with an emphasis on the medium); mediatised interpersonal communication. Different professors equally emphasise the importance of phenomena such as the integration of traditional and new, digital media, internationalisation, transculturalisation and globalisation in both research and teaching.

Last, but not least, one of the goals of communication studies in Erfurt is to convert their innovative scientific profile not only into academic ‘production’ (MA, PhD), but also into occupation-oriented practice. The project study phase of the BA offers a singular chance of learning to apply media research and consultation as well as learning communication management.