Institut für Kommunikationswissenschaft und Medienforschung
Kurse für Incoming Studierende
Am IfKW können Sie aus einer Vielzahl an Kursen im Bereich Medien und Kommunikation wählen. Das Angebot umfasst Bachelor- und Masterveranstaltungen sowie eine eigene Incoming Series für Austauschstudierende.
Auf dieser Seite finden Sie einen Überblick über die verschiedenen Kursbereiche und Formate. Die konkreten Lehrveranstaltungen werden jeweils vor Semesterbeginn veröffentlicht.
Die meisten Kurse haben einen bestimmten Schwerpunkt. Daher kann sich das tatsächlich behandelte Thema von Semester zu Semester ändern. Die Liste der für Ihren Aufenthalt relevanten Themen wird etwa zwei Monate vor Semesterbeginn verfügbar sein. Den aktuellen Kurskatalog finden Sie unter: www.lsf.lmu.de.
Die Incoming Series richtet sich speziell an Austauschstudierende und bietet englischsprachige Lehrveranstaltungen zu zentralen Themen der Medien- und Kommunikationswissenschaft.
Die Kurse verbinden theoretische Inhalte mit praxisnahen Elementen wie Exkursionen, Gastvorträgen und eigenen Projekten – beispielsweise durch Beiträge für den IfKW-Webblog.
Dabei erhalten Studierende auch erste Einblicke in empirische Forschungsansätze und lernen, diese in kleineren Projekten anzuwenden.
Wir empfehlen die Teilnahme.
Media Change: Contemporary cases, consequences and conceptualisations
Course Description:
From the printing press to social media platforms, mediated communication has always been reliant on technology. However, information communication technology is, arguably, changing more profoundly and rapidly now than ever before, affected by—and itself affecting—the forms media takes and how it is produced, consumed, and regulated. We see divergence and convergence in media formats, from live blogs to immersive storytelling. Technologically-enabled amateurs and non-human actors, like algorithms, are playing an increasingly important part in media production. Technology is also interacting with how news and media audiences behave, which in turn is prompting changes in how those audiences are measured and their consumption regulated.
Course Code:
15IFKW_0
Type:
Lecture
Level of Study:
Undergraduate and Postgraduate
Duration:
1 semester
Period:
Winter Semester (Start: October)
Credits:
4 ECTS
Requirements:
/
Language Requirements:
English (CEFR level B2)
Professional Communication in Munich
Course Description:
This seminar focuses on professional communication in online, print and broadcasting media. Students take part in field trips to different media companies in Munich, communication professionals give a talk and students try out to write in different journalistic styles. The acquired knowledge will be implemented in a weblog, written by the participating students. The acquired knowledge will be implemented in a weblog, planned, edited and written by the participants.
Course Code:
15IFKW_1
Type:
Seminar
Level of Study:
Undergraduate and Postgraduate
Duration:
1 semester
Period:
Winter Semester (Start: October)
Credits:
7-10 ECTS
Requirements:
/
Language Requirements:
English (CEFR level B2)
Media Institutions in Munich
Course Description:
How do media work in Munich? Which institutions are important, who works there and what do they actually do all day? The seminar focuses on media production processes in online, print and broadcasting media. Students take part in field trips to different media companies in Munich. Talks with professionals provide insights into the world of work within media institutions. Students also learn about the German media system and compare it to their home countries (in group presentations). The acquired knowledge will be implemented in a weblog, planned, edited and written by the participants.
Course Code:
15IFKW_2
Type:
Seminar
Level of Study:
Undergraduate and Postgraduate
Duration:
1 semester
Period:
Summer Semester (Start: April)
Credits:
7-10 ECTS
Requirements:
/
Language Requirements:
English (CEFR level B2)
Writing for Academic Purposes
Course Description:
This course for exchange students only focusses on scientific basics, dos and don‘ts in writing an academic (research) report – especially in the field of communication: knowledge of the most relevant libraries and online catalogues, use of important digital databases, central sources, online search methods, quotation and citation (APA) as well as bibliography exercises and a library tour (IfKW library). We recommend this course to all incoming students who have no experience with the APA7th citation style, as this is the standard for academic work at the IfKW and is therefore a basic requirement for most exams/assignments.
Course Code:
15IFKW_3
Type:
Seminar
Level of Study:
Undergraduate and Postgraduate
Duration:
1 semester
Period:
Winter Semester (Start: October) and Summer Semester (Start: April)
Die Bachelor-Veranstaltungen bieten eine breite Einführung in Medien und Kommunikation und verbinden theoretische Grundlagen mit praxisnahen Einblicken in Berufsfelder wie Journalismus, Öffentlichkeitsarbeit und digitale Medien.
Zudem werden Studierende schrittweise an empirische Forschungsmethoden herangeführt – etwa durch angeleitete Projekte und erste Anwendungen in der Datenerhebung und -auswertung.
Durch praxisorientierte Aufgaben, Fallstudien und Gruppenarbeiten erwerben sie wichtige Kompetenzen für Tätigkeiten in Kommunikationsberufen.
Professional Practice in Journalism
Course Description:
This seminar introduces students to the professional practice of journalism. Students select a focus area—such as print, online, radio, or television journalism—and develop skills in researching, writing, and producing journalistic content. Emphasis is placed on mastering editorial workflows, production techniques, and journalistic storytelling. Through practical exercises and case studies, students gain hands-on experience in the dynamics of newsroom work and the ethical challenges of contemporary journalism. Specific thematic focuses vary each semester (e.g., podcasting).
Course Code:
15IFKW_4
Type:
Seminar
Level of Study:
Undergraduate
Duration:
1 semester
Period:
Winter Semester (Start: October) and Summer Semester (Start: April)
Credits:
5 ECTS
Requirements:
open to students in communication sciences or related fields
Language Requirements:
English (CEFR level B2)
Professional Practice in Public Relations and Advertising
Course Description:
This seminar introduces professional practices in public relations and advertising. Students choose a focus area—such as corporate communication, media relations, campaign planning, or creative concept development—and learn key techniques and workflows used in strategic communication. Through practical exercises and case-based work, students gain insight into how communication strategies and messages are designed for different audiences and platforms. The course also encourages reflection on the social and ethical dimensions of persuasive communication. Specific thematic focuses vary each semester.
Course Code:
15IFKW_5
Type:
Seminar
Level of Study:
Undergraduate
Duration:
1 semester
Period:
Winter Semester (Start: October) and Summer Semester (Start: April)
Credits:
5 ECTS
Requirements:
open to students in communication sciences or related fields
Language Requirements:
English (CEFR level B2)
Professional Practice in Digital Media
Course Description:
This seminar focuses on digital media practices and professional workflows. Students choose a specific focus, such as content production, media design, or online communication. Through hands-on work, they learn key techniques and process-oriented methods, gaining insight into tasks and applications in digital media professions. The course also encourages critical reflection on the skills, expectations, and challenges of contemporary digital media work. Specific thematic focuses vary each semester.
Course Code:
15IFKW_6
Type:
Seminar
Level of Study:
Undergraduate
Duration:
1 semester
Period:
Winter Semester (Start: October) and Summer Semester (Start: April)
Credits:
5 ECTS
Requirements:
open to students in communication sciences or related fields
Language Requirements:
English (CEFR level B2)
Empirical Research Project
Course Description:
The seminar focuses on a specific research project that the students develop together with the lecturer on a predetermined topic (for example, this may be in the context of media content, communicator or recipient research). Insights into the current state of research and its theoretical framework are provided for an empirical question and practically implemented in the students' own research project. The aim is for students to jointly design, carry out, and evaluate a research project in a participatory seminar. The focus is on planning (including survey instruments).
Course Code:
15IFKW_7
Type:
Seminar
Level of Study:
Undergraduate
Duration:
1 semester
Period:
Winter Semester (Start: October)
Credits:
10 ECTS
Requirements:
open to students in communication sciences or related fields ; prior knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods is helpful; knowledge of scientific citation is required (AP7th)
Language Requirements:
English (CEFR level B2)
Advanced Empirical Research Project
Course Description:
This seminar centers on the conception and execution of an empirical research project developed collaboratively by students and the instructor. Building on a selected thematic field—such as media content, communicator, or audience research—students design and implement a research study that integrates theoretical and methodological perspectives. The seminar combines a theory-oriented part with a practical research part, linking conceptual groundwork to empirical application. Students gain experience in planning, conducting, analyzing, and presenting their own research. Specific thematic focuses vary each semester.
Course Code:
15IFKW_8
Type:
Seminar
Level of Study:
Undergraduate
Duration:
1 semester
Period:
Summer Semester (Start: April)
Credits:
12 ECTS
Requirements:
open to students in communication sciences or related fields; prior knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods is necessary! knowledge of scientific citation is required (AP7th)
Die Master-Veranstaltungen sind stärker projektorientiert und vertiefen zentrale Themen der Medien- und Kommunikationswissenschaft. Studierende arbeiten eigenständig oder im Team an Projekten in Bereichen wie Journalismus, strategischer Kommunikation oder digitalen Medien.
Ein zentraler Bestandteil sind empirische Forschungsprojekte, in denen Studierende eigene Studien konzipieren, durchführen und auswerten und dabei theoretische Ansätze mit methodischer Expertise verbinden.
Im Fokus stehen analytisches Denken, strategische Entscheidungen und die reflektierte Einordnung von Kommunikationsprozessen in gesellschaftliche und ethische Zusammenhänge.
Advanced Practice in Journalism
Course Description:
This seminar focuses on advanced journalistic practice and the independent production of journalistic content. Students select a focus area—such as investigative reporting, multimedia storytelling, or cross-platform journalism—and apply professional techniques to create in-depth content. The course emphasizes autonomous project planning, editorial decision-making, and the critical evaluation of journalistic practices within broader societal and ethical contexts. Through independent projects, feedback, reflection and collaborative work, students gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of modern journalism. Specific thematic focuses vary each semester (e.g., podcasting).
Course Code:
15IFKW_9
Type:
Seminar
Level of Study:
Postgraduate
Duration:
1 semester
Period:
Winter Semester (Start: October) and Summer Semester (Start: April)
Credits:
7 ECTS
Requirements:
open only to MA students in communication sciences or related fields
Language Requirements:
English (CEFR level B2)
Advanced Practice in Public Relations and Advertising
Course Description:
This seminar offers project-based engagement with professional strategic communication. Students independently plan or collaboratively develop PR or advertising projects, such as communication strategies, creative campaigns, or media outreach concepts. The course emphasizes autonomous project management, advanced strategic reasoning, and the ability to justify creative and organizational decisions within professional standards. Through iterative development, feedback, and reflection, students deepen their practical skills and gain insight into the collaborative dynamics and ethical challenges of PR and advertising work. Specific thematic focuses vary each semester.
Course Code:
15IFKW_10
Type:
Seminar
Level of Study:
Postgraduate
Duration:
1 semester
Period:
Winter Semester (Start: October) and Summer Semester (Start: April)
Credits:
7 ECTS
Requirements:
open only to MA students in communication sciences or related fields
Language Requirements:
English (CEFR level B2)
Advanced Practice in Digital Media
Course Description:
This seminar provides practice-based engagement with professional digital media production. Students work on independently planned or collaboratively developed projects in areas such as content creation, digital design, or online communication strategy. The course emphasizes autonomous project management, advanced problem-solving, and the ability to connect practical decisions to professional standards in the field. Through iterative development, collaborative work, feedback, and reflection, students deepen their technical skills while gaining insight into the organizational and collaborative dynamics of digital media work. Specific thematic focuses vary each semester.
Course Code:
15IFKW_11
Type:
Seminar
Level of Study:
Postgraduate
Duration:
1 semester
Period:
Winter Semester (Start: October) and Summer Semester (Start: April)
Credits:
7 ECTS
Requirements:
open only to MA students in communication sciences or related fields
Language Requirements:
English (CEFR level B2)
Empirical Research Project
Course Description:
The seminar focuses on a specific research project that the students develop together with the lecturer on a predetermined topic (for example, this may be in the context of media content, communicator or recipient research). Insights into the current state of research and its theoretical framework are provided for an empirical question and practically implemented in the students' own research project. The aim is for students to jointly design and carry out a research project in a participatory seminar. The focus is on planning (including survey instruments). The seminar fosters independent, critical, and organized work, while strengthening key competencies such as analytical thinking, methodological proficiency, and project management. Specific thematic focuses vary each semester.
Course Code:
15IFKW_12
Type:
Seminar
Level of Study:
Postgraduate
Duration:
1 semester
Period:
Winter Semester (Start: October) and Summer Semester (Start: April)
Credits:
12 ECTS
Requirements:
open only to MA students in communication sciences or related fields; prior knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods is helpful; knowledge of scientific citation is required (AP7th)
Language Requirements:
English (CEFR level B2)
Advanced Empirical Research Project
Course Description:
This seminar centers on the conception and execution of an empirical research project developed collaboratively by students and the instructor. Building on a selected thematic field—such as media content, communicator, or audience research—students design and implement a research study that integrates theoretical and methodological perspectives. The seminar combines a theory-oriented part with a practical research part, linking conceptual groundwork to empirical application. Students gain experience in planning, conducting, analyzing, and presenting their own research. The seminar fosters independent, critical, and organized work, while strengthening key competencies such as analytical thinking, methodological proficiency, and project management. Specific thematic focuses vary each semester.
Course Code:
15IFKW_13
Type:
Seminar
Level of Study:
Postgraduate
Duration:
1 semester
Period:
Summer Semester (Start: April)
Credits:
15 ECTS
Requirements:
open only to MA students in communication sciences or related fields; prior knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods is necessary! knowledge of scientific citation is required (AP7th)