Media Studies and Journalism

The Media Studies and Journalism study program offers a comprehensive study that is focused symmetrically on theoretical and analytical knowledge, critical-reflective skills and creative skills. The study not only prepares students for journalistic work but also provides them with the broadest theoretical and methodological background necessary for their further follow-up in M.A. studies. Two features of the curriculum are unique: 1) the updated curriculum corresponding to the ever-accelerating transformation of the journalistic profession and 2) a strong emphasis on the systematic skill training of students. Students complete basic theoretical subjects focused on communication, media and journalistic theory, social science methodology, ethical and legal norms and the history of communication; students gain professional experience in practical seminars focused on creative drill; students create own media products through simulated and project-oriented learning in the training medium; all the acquired knowledge and skills will then be accredited in the obligatory all-semester practice in the media.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• Independently and actively use digital media and communication tools to moderate media communication and media product creation, whether as a journalist, PR or a member of a team of communication and media agencies
• Qualified analyze and interpret the contexts and aspects of contemporary media communication and production, in Czech language and in English
• Flexibly respond and adapt to the ongoing technological and content transformations of media communication
• Apply soft skills in communication focused on the professional journalistic performance
• Create common media formats and genres

Graduates of the program find job in the state, public and private sectors. They can act as journalists in print media (newspapers, magazines, publishers); electronic media (radio, television) and online media. At the same time, they are prepared to work in the executive positions in all the above-mentioned types of media organizations as well as in communication agencies. The program also enables them to work in public relations as a press spokesperson or as a media adviser. They are partly ready for the work of media analysts, working in research agencies and analytical departments of media companies. Bachelor study prepares students for new jobs on the labour market establishing the tradition of a new profession of mediologist or media expert, reflecting the ever-changing market trend in media field. Systematic preparation in this direction is, however, strongly held in the master's study as the main aim of education. Graduates of the bachelor's program can also build their career in the field of education (e.g. at the level of primary and secondary education) as experts in mass communication, who are able to interpret the media influence on everyday life and society and to cultivate media literacy and culture. Graduates of the program will, therefore, apply not only for the positions of independent creative and production workers in the media field, but also for other (non-journalistic) positions of communication such as PR staff, press spokespersons, creative agents in communication agencies, less typically as regular media professional researchers.

An obligatory part of the program is a 12-week professional practical training. The practice is in the medium and at the Department of Media Studies and Journalism accompanied by supervision by professional journalists and lecturers of the department. The training typically takes place in the fourth semester of the program but can be completed in one of three possible terms throughout the academic year. The training is based on specialized journalistic skills, according to the type of chosen media. The professional practice offers students an important opportunity to link previous theoretical lessons and practical seminars at the department with real work in real editorial conditions. The main goal is to allow students to cope with the real work in the field during the three month training in the media. Students are comprehensively acquainted with the daily work routine of a particular institution. The knowledge acquired in this institution is consistently reflected in their work under the guidance of teachers. At the same time, students learn to work inside and outside the institution. On the theoretical level, students acquire appropriate knowledge not only about their own organization but also about various functions of corporations, state administration, local government and other public sectors. The reflection of the practice, which involves consulting the supervisors and elaborating a reflexive-analytical report, is primarily focused on three full-day seminars led by the department's lecturers. Practitioners not only acquire and consolidate their practical skills and routine creative and editorial practices, but also increase their knowledge qualitatively through a reflexive dimension. This greatly extends the career prospects of graduates and significantly increases their competitiveness compared to others who do not absorb such a cycle – the linkage between theory and practice (in addition to a three months of daily work in the media).

Overview of the places where the training can be practiced (selection):

Czech Television (as well as web editors, or social media reporting)

Czech Radio

Czech Press Office - Editorial Office Brno

Hospodářské noviny, iHNed.cz, Aktuálně.cz

VLM Dailies (newsrooms in almost every district)

MF Dnes, iDnes.cz, 5 plus 2

Právo, Novinky.cz

Press Agency of the Slovak Republic (TASR)

Hospodárske noviny (Slovakia)

Daily N (Slovakia)

SME (Slovakia)

Pravda (Slovakia)

New Europe (Belgium)

An optional part of the program is a professional practical training focused on non-journalistic communication skills, such as PR.

The bachelor's thesis has a prescribed range of 10,000 to 15,000 words (including footnotes), not including contents, lists, indexes, attachments, and textual outputs/media products. The bachelor thesis may be typically either a theoretical systematic overview study; or practically focused journalistic work orientated on product and project with the possibility of linking to the applied sphere; in this case, the creation and subsequent advocacy of this type of work will verify the new competencies and skills acquired during study and professional practice. If a student completes an appropriate social science methodology course from a different study program, he/she can prepare an empirical bachelor work. More up-to-date detailed rules for the bachelor's thesis are available at the department web site: https://medzur.fss.muni.cz/pro-studenty/bakalarske-studium/bakalarske-prace/pravidla-pro-psani-bakalarskych-praci

A graduate of a Bachelor's degree program may, after fulfilling the conditions of admission, continue the postgraduate study of media studies and journalism in the Department of Media Studies and Journalism at the FSS MU. At the same time, after completing the bachelor's degree program, he/she is a fully qualified practitioner.