General Studies

The General Studies programme in the Two-subject B.A. comprises a total of 20 credit points. 5 credit points are compulsory through the course "Introduction to Academic Working Skills" (Module 11). 15 credit points are achieved in courses from the General Studies programme at the University of Münster.

Introduction to Academic Working Skills

The lecture "Introduction to Academic Working Skills" („Einführung in das wissenschaftliche Arbeiten in der Kommunikationswissenschaft“, Module 11) introduces the basics of academic work and is compulsory for all students of Communication Science at the IfK. The content includes finding topics for academic papers, work and time planning, literature research, recording and analysing information. In addition, the rules how to write academic papers and presentation techniques are taught and practised. The module takes place as a block course in the first week of lectures in each winter semester. All students enrolled in the first semester are automatically registered for this course.

Courses from the General Studies programme

A further 15 credit points are achieved in courses from the General Studies programme at the University of Münster, whereby 5 credit points may already have been earned in the second subject.
Interdisciplinary key qualifications in communication and interaction are acquired, which facilitate the entry into internships and professional life, e.g., time management, learning/working/presentation/communication techniques, foreign languages. Skills will be are strengthened that will make it easier to act, cooperate and present oneself in various work contexts and to optimise one's own behaviour within the organisational framework of the work context (e.g., project management).

The courses that can be chosen as part of "General Studies" can be found in the University of Münster's electronic course catalogue under "General Studies", organised according to six areas of competence. In accordance with the framework examination regulations for the Two-subject Bachelor's programme (“Rahmenprüfungsordnung für den Zwei-Fach-Bachelor”), students who have enrolled from the winter semester 2013/14 onwards must take courses from at least two different areas of competence.

As the course "Introduction to Academic Working Skills" is assigned to competence area III "Rhetoric and Communication Skills", students of Communication Science have usually already successfully completed competence area III after the first semester. Students are welcome to attend further courses from this area, but at least one course must be from one of the five remaining areas of competence. In total, there are the following six areas of competence:

  • Competence area I: (Foreign) language competence
  • Competence area II: Expertise in the theory of science
  • Competence area III: Rhetoric and communication skills
  • Competence area IV: Career preparation and practical skills
  • Competence area V: (Inter-)cultural and creative competence
  • Competence area VI: Sustainability

Important organisational information: Registration for participation in the individual courses usually takes place via the HIS (online course catalogue) or the respective departments or providers; further information can be found in the notes for the individual courses. Students register for the corresponding examinations electronically via QISPOS on the Internet. Credit points and grades are usually recorded in QISPOS by the lecturers. The contact person for registering special cases (e.g. recognition of credits earned abroad) is Professor Susanne Pinkernell-Kreidt.

Important links:
Framework regulations and amendment regulations for the two-subject B.A. programme
Further information on the organisation of General Studies