Since the 1920s, newspaper studies at LMU have developed into one of the oldest communication science institutes in Europe. From Karl d'Ester to digital media research, the history of the IfKW reflects the development of journalism, public discourse, and media change over the course of a century.
1920: The Association of Bavarian Newspaper Publishers and the Bavarian Press Association submit a petition to the Bavarian state parliament proposing, among other things, the establishment of an independent Institute for Journalism to monitor the domestic and foreign press and to train young people in journalism and press-related professions.
1922: After the Faculty of Philosophy votes in favor of establishing a subject called “Newspaper Studies,” the Bavarian State Parliament approves an “extraordinary professorship for newspaper studies,” the first regular professorship for the subject in the German Reich.
1924: Karl d'Ester is appointed as an extraordinary professor and director of the Institute for Newspaper Studies at the University of Munich.
1934 D'Ester becomes a full professor. The institute moves to new premises and receives a regular budget for materials. In the same year, the right to award doctorates in journalism is granted. Previously, only a minor subject could be studied.
1935 The first assistant position is filled (Hanns Braun).
1954: Following d'Esters' retirement, honorary professor Hanns Braun becomes his successor. As an associate professor, he holds the chair until 1961.
In 1963, Otto B. Roegele, editor-in-chief of the Rheinischer Merkur newspaper, takes over as professor at the Institute for Newspaper Studies. Starting in the summer semester of that year, students can earn a master's degree in addition to a doctorate. Peter Glotz is the first student to graduate with a master's degree.
In 1974, the institute was assigned a second extraordinary professorship, which was primarily dedicated to empirical communication research and filled by Hertha Sturm. In the course of the reorganization of the faculties, the institute was renamed the “Institute for Communication Studies (Newspaper Studies)” and, together with American Studies, Political Science, and Sociology, formed the Faculty of Social Sciences, whose first dean was Professor Dr. Dr. Otto B. Roegele. A pilot project for journalism training at universities is launched (incorporating the practical training of the German School of Journalism, which was founded in 1948 by Werner Friedmann).
In 1978, the pilot project is converted into a diploma program in journalism.
In 1979, Wolfgang R. Langenbucher is appointed to a newly established C3 professorship in journalism.
In 1980, Hans Wagner was appointed to another professorship at the institute, his fourth (C2 until 1992, then C3).
In 1982, the Practical Training Department was established to acquire internships in media companies and place students in them. This link between university education and professional practice developed into an important institution for the design of the degree program.
1983: Klaus Schönbach succeeds Hertha Sturm. In response to the overwhelming influx of students, an internal university admission quota is introduced, which subsequently means that only one in seven applicants can be accepted to study communication science.
In 1985, Heinz-Werner Stuiber is appointed as the successor to Wolfgang R. Langenbucher.
1986: Heinz Pürer is appointed to a newly established chair. Ursula E. Koch succeeds Otto B. Roegele.
1987: The institute moves again, bringing together its previously separate locations in the Amerika-Haus on Karolinenplatz, the “Amalienkeller” in the main building, and Widenmayerstraße at Schellingstraße 33. Werner Früh succeeds Klaus Schönbach as professor of empirical research.
In 1993, Wolf-Dieter Ring and Peter Glotz are appointed honorary professors.
In 1996, the next move takes place, this time to a wing of the former Radio Free Europe building near the English Garden. In the same year, the IfKW begins its collaboration with the Bavarian training and continuing education channel (AFK) in the radio sector. Until 2002, the AFK radio station broadcasts a program, which is largely co-produced by LMU students, from studios on Oettingenstraße. Hans-Bernd Brosius succeeds Werner Früh.
In 1998, a temporary parallel chair to Ursula E. Koch's C4 professorship is established and filled by Hans-Bernd Brosius.
2000: Hans-Bernd Brosius succeeds Koch as chair. His former C3 position is filled by Romy Fröhlich.
2001: The first students of media informatics, a new degree program offered under the auspices of the Institute of Computer Science in cooperation with the IfKW, begin their studies.
2002: Hans Wagner retires. His successor is Michael Meyen. Werner Wirth is appointed to a newly created temporary C3 professorship for multimedia. The institute is assigned another new professorship. In the winter semester of this year, students are accepted for the last time into the master's program in communication science and the (undergraduate) diploma program in journalism.
2003: Werner Wirth accepts a position at the University of Zurich. The new bachelor's program accepts its first students in the winter semester, as does the reformed journalism diploma program, which now functions as a postgraduate program.
2004: Under its new name, the Institute for Communication Studies and Media Research becomes part of the new Department of Sociology and Communication Studies.
2005: With the appointment of Jens Wolling (successor to Wirth) and Wolfram Peiser (newly created C4/W3, starting in 2006), the institute now has seven professorships.
2006: Heinz-Werner Stuiber retires. His professorship is not filled. Jens Wolling accepts a position at the University of Ilmenau. In the winter semester, the first students begin their studies in the new Master of Arts in Communication Science program.
2008: Carsten Reinemann is appointed to the new W3 professorship for Political Communication. The Master's program in Journalism replaces the postgraduate program in Practical Journalism.
2009: Starting in January, the IfKW becomes an independent department within the Faculty of Social Sciences. In October, the institute moves to Schellingstraße 3, as the building on Oettingenstraße is being expanded with an extension. Thomas Hanitzsch succeeds Jens Wolling as W2 professor with a focus on journalism.
2011: Christoph Neuberger takes up the newly created W3 professorship for media change on March 1. In October, the institute moves back into the renovated building at Oettingenstraße 67.
2012: Heinz Pürer retires.
2013: The new Master's program in International PR welcomes its first students. Anne Bartsch is appointed to a W2 professorship in Communication Studies.
2015: Neil Thurman takes up a professorship in Communication Studies as part of a “Freigeist Fellowship” from the Volkswagen Foundation.