Mission statement

The Department of Communication at the University of Münster has a long tradition and is an established department in the field, which has provided many impulses for communication and media research since its foundation in 1919.

Mission statement of the Department of Communication at the University of Münster

The Department of Communication (IfK) aims to be one of the leading teaching and research institutions in the field of communication science and media research, both nationally and internationally. At the University of Münster, the department aims to play a prominent role among its  subjects. The mission statement is the result of a discourse at the department involving all groups. It was adopted by the IfK-Executive Board on July 14, 2010.

Self-conception

The Department of Communication at the University of Münster has a long tradition and is an established institute in the field, which has provided many impulses for communication and media research since its foundation in 1919. The communication science in Münster is oriented towards the social science and is committed to theoretical and methodological pluralism. At the IfK, the social conditions, functions and consequences of communication in modern societies are examined. In particular, aspects of public, mostly media-mediated communication are researched. The outstanding importance of communication and media in social life justifies the relevance of the subject.

The department conducts research in numerous areas of communication science and is a competent point of contact within and outside the University of Münster for the fields of journalism, new media, political communication, public relations, advertising, usage and effects research, and science communication.

Tasks, goals and values

The IfK continuously follows the goal of generating and disseminating new knowledge as a guide to current social problems. In addition, the department aims to play a visible role in discussions both in the mediated public and within the scientific community. Research and teaching are at the heart of the IfK's activities. Regular evaluations are the basis for a high scientific and didactic quality standard.

In the future, the department wants to make its achievements more visible internationally. It considers its presence in professional associations, at conferences and in the relevant national and international journals to be very important. It also actively participates in networking within the sector and the communications industry. At the same time, it is constantly looking for links to other disciplines that can enrich the already interdisciplinary orientation of communication science. In addition, the IfK is working on a meaningful expansion of practical relevance.

The promotion of young scientists is seen as a particularly important task. The IfK aims to attract outstanding students, early career researchers, and scientists. It strives for equal participation of women and men at all levels and in all areas of responsibility.

Research

At the IfK, basic research in communication science has a high priority. This includes working on theories on which research and teaching are based reflecting both areas. Accordingly, empirical research is characterised by a high theoretical-analytical standard. A strong interdisciplinary connectivity of research is guaranteed because the IfK follows the methodology of the social sciences and applies and expands various theories and approaches from sociology, psychology and political science, among others, to its own research.

In addition, applied research is an important field of scientific activity. For many years, the department has been a strong player in the acquisition of third-party funding and the successful implementation of funded research projects in basic and applied research. In this way and beyond, the IfK provides expert knowledge for social discourse and decisions in the media sector.

Study programme

Studying Communication Science enables students to solve scientific problems and critically classify scientific findings. Taking into account the requirements and changes in the relevant professional fields, the IfK provides its students with methods, knowledge and skills that qualify them for a scientific career as well as communication and media professions.  Therefore, the IfK combines academic studies with practical professional orientation, which is a part of the training. The department maintains cooperations with companies to offer attractive internships and also maintains contact with potential employers and graduates of the department. Individual focus areas in the department's diverse range of courses as well as careful and effective support guarantee optimal training opportunities for students. The dominant principle of communication science teaching is not the mere learning of a craft, but rather the insight into the theory- and method-led production of knowledge itself. This enables reflective and responsible practice. The scientific quality of teaching is therefore always a priority.

The long-term quality of teaching can only be guaranteed through direct exchange between students and lecturers and through systematic teaching evaluations. At the IfK, the results of these procedures are made transparent and united into the continuous improvement of teaching. This also includes increased reflection on didactic methods.

Department’s culture

The members of the IfK, staff and students, promote a collegial and respectful relationship that is characterised by openness and mutual interest. The participation of all members in fundamental department decisions is expressly desired. Dialogue with students is a high priority. The IfK aims to offer all employees the best possible working conditions. This includes not only the expansion of qualification positions and organised forums for critical discussion, but also the mutual appreciation of professors and employees and the organised networking of the mid-level faculty, who articulate their specific interests within the department. Professors, staff and students are integrated into the culture of the IfK, as are lecturers, graduates, members of neighboring disciplines, members of the university administration, as well as cooperating partners from business, politics and culture. This interaction creates an department that can successfully meet the growing demands of society.

Profile

Communication science generally examines the social conditions, consequences, meanings of media, and interpersonal communication - both currently and in their historical development. The outstanding importance of communication and media in modern societies justifies the relevance of the subject. Communication science in Münster sees itself as a theoretical and empirical social science with interdisciplinary links to sociology and political science, for example.

The academic programme at the IfK covers the entire spectrum of the subject. In particular, the Münster department focuses on the actors, structures, content and effects of public communication, especially public communication mediated by the media. The main focuses of research and teaching are (in alphabetical order):

• Advertising
• Communication, media and public sphere theories
• Computer-mediated communication
• Journalism research
• Media use
• Methods of communication science and media research
• Political communication
• PR and organisational communication
• Reception and effects research
• Sociology of media communication

Studying Communication Science enables students to work scientifically and solve problems, as well as to critically classify scientific knowledge. In addition, taking into account the requirements and changes in the relevant professional world, it provides students with the methods, knowledge and skills that qualify them for independent, reflective and socially responsible work in science and in communication and media professions. Therefore, training at the Department of Communication combines academic study with practical professional orientation. Emphasis is placed on a broad range of practical media courses. This preparation for practical work is partly carried out by lecturers.