Program Overview

Introduction to the CIS: Dialogue, Health and Society Programme

The CIS: Dialogue, Health and Society programme is a unique and innovative master's programme that focuses on the power of language to change the world. This programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience, allowing students to gain a deep understanding of how language works in real-life interactions and how it can be used to build bridges between different groups and individuals.

Programme Overview

The programme begins by laying a solid theoretical foundation for understanding language use in everyday and institutional contexts. Students learn to analyse how treatment options are negotiated between doctors and patients, how neonatal care is discussed with parents, and how anti-vaccine movements operate on social media.

Curriculum

The curriculum is crafted to ensure that students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. The programme includes a range of courses, such as:

• Communication Design in Society
• Dialogue for Health
• Medical and Healthcare Interactions
• Electives, including:
  • Health, Globalisation and Human Rights
  • International Comparative Analyses of Health Care Systems
  • Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
  • Public Relations
  • Changing Organizational Culture
  • Text and Image in News and Advertising
• Internship: Researching and Facilitating Dialogue
• Health Communication and Social Media
• Master Thesis

Programme Structure

The programme is structured into six periods, with each period focusing on a specific aspect of dialogue and health. In Period 1, students learn about communication design in society and dialogue for health. In Period 2, students enhance their analytic skills and apply the method of conversation analysis to medical and healthcare interactions. In Periods 3-6, students participate in an internship and work on their master's thesis.

Internship: Researching and Facilitating Dialogue

The internship is a key component of the programme, allowing students to apply their knowledge and skills in a real-world setting. Students are paired with a health or societal organisation and work on a research project that focuses on a specific issue or problem. The internship provides students with the opportunity to gain practical experience and build their professional network.

Master's Thesis

The master's thesis is a research-based project that allows students to explore a topic of their choice in depth. Students work under the supervision of a staff member and use data related to their internship organisation. The thesis provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills and to make a contribution to the field of dialogue and health.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the CIS: Dialogue, Health and Society programme are uniquely equipped to work in a wide range of health and societally oriented public and private organisations. They can work as independent consultants, researchers, facilitators, mediation experts, or patient educators. The programme provides students with the knowledge and skills to appreciate how subtle language choices can impact mutual understanding, cooperation, and relationships.

Research Areas

The programme focuses on a range of research areas, including:

• Health communication
• Social media and health
• Dialogue and conversation analysis
• Language and power
• Health and societal issues

Conclusion

The CIS: Dialogue, Health and Society programme is a unique and innovative master's programme that provides students with the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact in the world. With its focus on theoretical knowledge and practical experience, the programme is ideal for students who want to work in health and societally oriented organisations and make a difference in the lives of others.