Structure and Content
Undergraduate Programme of Studies
The Department of Communication and Internet Studies offers a Bachelor of Arts in "Communication and Internet Studies". The degree is awarded upon completion of 240 ECTS (typically 48 courses of 5 ECTS).
Directions and Clusters
Students choose one of two specializations at the beginning of their studies. Within each specialization there are two clusters, and each student must complete the required courses of at least one of the clusters. Specializations are fields within the broader area of communication studies and Clusters are bundles of courses that converge thematically in a particular area of each Direction. The Directions and Clusters are as follows:
DIRECTION I – Internet and Society
Cluster I.Α. – Internet and Power
Cluster I.Β. – Journalism and Digital Media
DIRECTION ΙΙ – Information Technologies
Cluster II.A. – Design for Social Impact
Cluster II.B. – Internet and Web Technologies
Direction I (Internet and Society) focuses on the study of the Internet as a sphere of communication and social (cultural, economic, political, etc.) activity in an interdisciplinary manner. It could be described as a field of social sciences focused on the Internet, with research orientations that engage with, among other things, psychology, sociology, political science, journalism and cultural studies.
The Cluster I.A. - Internet and Power deals with the socio-political dimension of the Internet as a global mean of communication, with a focus on the study of the structures and power relations that govern contemporary digital reality. In this thematic area, teaching focuses on the impact of the Internet on democracy and politics and examines how digital technologies have transformed human societies. The subject area aims to bring together specific themes from psychology, sociology, communication studies regarding governance, civic participation, citizenship, social movements, conflict and change. Students choosing this module will also learn about fundamental concepts regarding the role and use of new technologies as instruments of democratization. The cluster emphasizes the development of independent and critical thinking through interdisciplinary research methodology and historical examples and contemporary empirical research. It aims to equip graduates with specialized knowledge of the cultural, economic and political dimensions of digital technologies in areas such as privacy and surveillance, the political economy of the Internet, digital politics, immaterial/digital labour, identity and representation in the digital environment, etc.
The Cluster I.B. - Journalism and Digital Media includes subjects covering contemporary journalism, both as a practice and scientific study subject. The cluster has been designed based on the fundamental premise that the study of Journalism and Digital Media today requires exposure to a broader framework of scientific knowledge combined with the possibility of acquiring skills that will allow the responsible and effective exercise of professional work. The cluster aims to provide scientific knowledge and professional skills and train students to critically grasp the role and function of journalism and digital media. A key objective is to promote the scientific study and exploration of the evolution and role of journalism and digital media in contemporary society and culture. By combining theory and practice, scientific knowledge and professional skills, an interdisciplinary approach and innovative technological applications, the cluster area aims at learning outcomes that contribute to the productive, socially responsible and creative presence of graduates in the various fields of public communication.
Direction II (Information Technologies) focuses on developing skills and knowledge about new communication technologies and their application for solving societal challenges or meeting needs at the individual or collective level (businesses, organizations, etc.).
The Cluster II.A. - Design for Social Impact starts from the assumption that Internet and Web Technologies are designed in response to specific social problems. This design can be reviewed if the solutions are unsatisfactory or socially acceptable. Therefore, with the courses offered, the subject area addresses issues that expose students to developing knowledge and skills for creating technological applications to enable human intervention to optimize the benefits of the final solution. In this context, emphasis is placed on developing design thinking to approach technology and the combined study of theory and practical application of various technologies to promote issues such as learning and health. Emphasis is also placed on the critical dimension of design as a means of empowerment or disempowerment in the context of dynamic interactions between the individual, society as a whole, and technology features. Students who choose this cluster will acquire skills that will help them to participate in the design of socio-technical projects, which may be implemented through software or through a combination of technological and non-technological solutions, to solve social challenges such as increasing physical activity, ecological approaches to environmental issues or acquiring learning skills for the 21st century.
The Cluster II.B. - Internet and Web Technologies addresses Internet and Web Technologies practically. The goal is for students to acquire programming skills in developing web applications in a wide range of areas of interest. In addition to basic programming principles and design skills for developing web applications, current technologies, programming tools and software for the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, retrieval and analysis of data from social media, and the creation and manipulation of interactive Digital Content in multimedia format are examined. These skills are necessary for the job market in related disciplines and for conducting original scientific research based on empirical studies.