CIW: Dialogue, Health and Society
Program Overview
Introduction to the Program
The master's program in Communication and Information Studies: Dialogue, Health, and Society focuses on the power of language in communication about health. This program combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience, allowing students to work with health and social organizations and gain hands-on experience in facilitating dialogue.
Program Structure
The program is divided into several periods, each with its own set of courses and activities.
- Period 1: The program begins with a broad theoretical basis, including the course Communication Design in Society, which explores the theories of communicative genres and their application to various forms of written and visual communication.
- Period 2: Students further develop their analytical skills and apply the method of conversation analysis during Medical and Health Care Interactions. They also have the opportunity to choose from a range of elective courses that allow them to analyze dialogue practices from a broader social, organizational, or historical perspective.
- Period 3-6: The internship "Researching and Facilitating Dialogue" runs from period 3 to 5. During this time, students are linked to a health or social organization where they will conduct their internship. They also gain access to a dataset of real-life interactions, which serves as the basis for their master's thesis.
Courses
The program includes a variety of courses, such as:
- Communication Design in Society
- Dialogue for Health
- Medical and Health Care Interactions
- Elective courses, 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's Thesis
The master's thesis is a crucial part of the program, focusing on significant health or social issues and examining real situations where these issues arise. Students work under the supervision of a lecturer to conduct original research, utilizing data from their internship.
Career Prospects
Graduates of the program are well-equipped to understand how interactive communication works and can apply this knowledge to train, advise, mediate, or research communication issues in various organizations and fields. The program prepares students for a range of career paths, including roles in health care, social services, and research institutions.
Conclusion
The master's program in Communication and Information Studies: Dialogue, Health, and Society offers a unique combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, preparing students for careers in health communication and beyond. With its focus on facilitating dialogue and analyzing real-life interactions, this program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to make a positive impact in their chosen field.
