Courses

Master major

The Digital Society master major programme consists of four modules and the Master exam.

  • Module 1: Interdisciplinary perspectives on the digital transformation of society
  • Module 2: Theories and Case Studies
  • Module 3: Methods, Skills and Applications
  • Module 4: Digital Society in the Making: Analyses and Debates

 

Master minor

The Digital Society master minor programme consists of Module 1 and Module 2.

 

Study order

There is no mandatory chronological order for the courses and modules. However, it is highly recommended to take the courses of Module 1 as early as possible. The MA colloquium should be taken towards the end of the studies.

 

Master exam à 15 ECTS credits

The master exam consists of the master thesis and the defence. The thesis can only be handed in once all four modules have been validated.

Modules

  • Module I (DSS1, major and minor)

    The main objective of this module is to provide a conceptual and practical introduction to the digital society from an interdisciplinary perspective. It combines social sciences, history, and computer sciences so that students can understand the foundations of the digital society and its transformations. In addition, the module introduces digital research methods.

    Below are the details of Module 1 courses offered in 2025/26.

     

    MASTER | AS-2025 | UE-L26.00211
    Social History of Computing and the Internet

     

    MASTER | AS-2025 | UE-SDN.00002
    Foundation of informatics

     

    MASTER | AS-2025 | UE-L26.00213
    Digital Transformation in Society and Culture

     

    MASTER | AS-2025 | UE-L26.00214
    Methods in Studies of the Digital Society

     

    MASTER | SS-2026 | UE-L26.00212
    Perspectives in the Social Studies of Technology

  • Module II (DSS2, major and minor)

    The objective of Module 2 is to allow the students to deepen their knowledge of certain theories, case studies and issues related to the digital society using empirical research methods. The module focuses on the macro level (society), the meso level (institutions) and how these influence the micro level of digital practices. Some courses focus on the transformation of the society from a longitudinal perspective and how this affects and is driven by different social groups and institutions. Further courses consider how individual practices are embedded in higher level contexts. Students are required to prepare a research paper on a specific issue that has been covered in one of the courses.

    Below are the details of Module 2 courses offered in 2025/26 that have been pre-approved.

     

    MASTER | AS-2025 | UE-L26.00282
    Law and the digital society

     

    MASTER | AS-2025 | UE-SDN.00003
    Current topics in digital neuroscience

     

    MASTER | AS-2025 | UE-L15.02287
    MA-Vorlesung: From information to data: introduction to research information systems for historical and social sciences

     

    MASTER | AS-2025 | UE-EKM.00934
    Masterseminar: (Digitized) Crisis Communication and Reputation Building for Companies and Nation States

     

    MASTER | AS-2025 | UE-EKM.01475
    Master Seminar: Rage Against the Machine? Algorithms, Platform Power and Governance

     

    MASTER | AS-2025 | UE-L37.00927
    MA- Séminaire: Comment les plateformes et l’ubérisation changent nos modes de vie

     

    MASTER | SS-2026 | UE-EKM.00064
    Communication, organisation et transformation digitale

     

    MASTER | SS-2026 | UE-L37.01407
    MA-SE Challenging Digital Society

     

    MASTER | SS-2026 | UE-L37.01419
    BA/MA-VL From Censorship to algorithms: politics, religion and culture

     

    MASTER | SS-2026 | UE-L26.00336
    Digital Objects, Internet Cultures, and Epistemic Authority

     

    MASTER | SS-2026 | UE-L25.02008
    Digital well-being

     

    MASTER | SS-2026 | UE-L26.00297
    Digital Methods

  • Module III (DSS3, only major)

    Module 3 aims at enhancing the students' digital competences and methodological expertise through personalized and practice-oriented learning experiences. Cumulative workshops, lectures and the so-called science-practice link make up for 3 x 3 ECTS credits included this module. They are complemented by a research paper à 3 ECTS credits. The modalities should be discussed and, in some cases, must be approved by the study advisor.

    Below are the details of Module 3 courses offered in 2025/26 that have been pre-approved.

    Please note that Module 3 contains other learning units than courses, which are not listed here. Contact the study advisor to discuss your options.

     

    MASTER | AS-2025, SS-2026 | UE-L26.00299
    Science-practice link

     

    MASTER | AS-2025 | UE-I09.00013
    Data Analytics in Python

     

    MASTER | SS-2026 | UE-L26.00297
    Digital Methods

     

    MASTER | AS-2025 | UE-I09.00005
    Python Programming

     

    MASTER | SS-2026 | UE-L41.00486
    BA/MA pol/oes Methoden Winter School: "Introduction to Social Science Research Methods with R"

  • Module IV (DSS4, only major)

    The objective of Module 4 is to convey specialized analytical knowledge and expertise in addressing key debates and concerns within the evolving digital society.

    Below are the details of Module 4 courses offered in 2025/26 that have been pre-approved.

     

    MASTER | AS-2025 | UE-EKM.01307
    Master Seminar: Strategic Digital Communication: Navigating memes, legitimacy, and AI

     

    MASTER | AS-2025 | UE-L26.00300
    Perspectives in AI Ethics

     

    MASTER | AS-2025 | UE-EKM.00957
    Democracy, media, and technology

     

    MASTER | SS-2026 | UE-L26.00336
    Digital Objects, Internet Cultures, and Epistemic Authority

     

    MASTER | SS-2026 | UE-EKM.00715
    Lecture Business Communication and Strategic Communication Management

     

    MASTER | SS-2026 | UE-EKM.01306
    Nouveaux médias, médias et usagers

     

    MASTER | SS-2026 | UE-EKM.00064
    Communication, organisation et transformation digitale

Full List

The list with the full course offer, including all elective courses, is updated and provided every semester.

Please contact the study advisor to discuss your options.

 

Autumn semester 2025

Major (90 ECTS): list of possible courses and seminarsMinor (30 ECTS): list of possible courses and seminars

 

Spring semester 2026

Major (90 ECTS): list of possible courses and seminarsMinor (30 ECTS): list of possible courses and seminars

 

Please note that the information on this website about individual courses may be incomplete and subject to change;