Digital Media, Culture and Communication

The pathway focuses on the new nexus between media, culture and society forged in the digital age. Specifically, it addresses the impact and implications of the digital transformation, with particular emphasis to the fields of media/cultural industries, connective media, and civil society.

Learning Objectives

  • Critical understanding of the new media environment
  • Skills in digital content production
  • Effective use of digital platforms and tools in engaging audiences
  • Expertise in successfully transitioning an organization to digital

Program Details

Digital Media, Communication and Journalism is a full-time (90 ECTS) English language Master’s program, the first of its kind among Greek public Universities. Designed to combine practice-based learning with sustained theoretical reflection, the intensive 12 months post-graduate program includes two course semesters and a third one, dedicated to the research and writing of a Thesis.

Program Structure

The structure of the program has been designed with a view to combine in-depth specialization with students’ freedom to select a set of courses that best matches their research and professional interests.

For the successful completion of each pathway students must:

  • Take the core course of the preferred pathway
  • Select at least 3 electives offered in the preferred pathway
  • Select up to 2 electives offered by the other two pathways
  • Complete a dissertation on a topic related to the subject areas covered by the preferred pathway.

 

Semester Courses Description ECTS
1st 3 courses 1 core course (10 ECTS) and 2 electives (20 ECTS) 1 of which can be from another pathway 30
2nd 3 courses 3 electives 1 of which can be from another pathway 30
1st and 2nd Semester Credits 60
3rd Dissertation 30
Total Credits 90

Core Course

DIM 101 | New Media: Theories and Perspectives

Semester: A
ECTS: 10

Course Description The course introduces students to certain key theoretical concepts, approaches and debates concerning the understanding and critical analysis of the role of new media in contemporary society. It combines an analytical perspective, that sheds light on some crucial aspects, functions and uses of new media, with a historical perspective, that places new media within a broader understanding of technology and its relationship to culture and social change. The course explores some major research areas in a way that prioritizes interdisciplinarity, grounded on on-going research rather than abstract theorizing, innovative and critical thinking about current issues and challenges, as well as the value of combining quantitative and qualitative perspectives. Course Objectives Understanding of the central concepts, approaches and debates concerning new media Critical assessment of new media theories and research approaches Effective use of new media theories and research approaches in the understanding and analysis of contemporary social issues, problems and changes Ability to contribute to debates regarding major dimensions and problems of new media, e.g. hybridity, communication, interactivity, participation, connectivity, privacy, memory, access, politics etc. Learning Outcomes Define core concepts and approaches in the study of new media Compare and contrast the different new media theories and research approaches Effectively apply them in the analysis of specific contemporary issues and phenomena Becoming aware of the complex interrelationship and interaction between technology, society and culture Class/Learning activities Lectures, in-class presentations and debates, independent study, individual essays.  Workload Type of work Description Hours Lectures thirteen 3-hours lectures 39 Independent study Study of class materials and readings 50-60 Readings in-class presentation Presenting & leading a discussion on a given topic 25-30 Essay outline in-class presentation Conference type presentation of essay outline 25-30 Research essay 5.000 words written assignment 100-110 Total workload 239-269 Assessment Type of assessment Learning outcome Impact on final grade Date of assessment Participation in in-class discussions 1-4 10% On a regular basis In-class presentation of course readings 1-3 10% Weeks 2 – 12 In-class presentation of essay outline 2-4 10% Week 13 Research essay 2-4 70% Week 15 Required Reading Holmes, D. (2005). Communication Theory: Media, Technology and Society. London: Sage Lister, M., J. Dovey, S. Giddings, I. Grant & K. Kelly (2009). New Media. A Critical Introduction.  London/N. York: Routledge (2nd ed.). Jenkins, H., M. Ito & D. Boyd (2016). Participatory Culture in a Networked Era. Cambridge: Polity. Suggested Reading Castells, M. 2009. Communication Power. Oxford: Oxford University Press Chadwick, A 2013. The Hybrid Media System. Politics and Power. Oxford: Oxford University Press Christakis, N. & J. Fowler (2009). Connected. The Surprising Power of Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives. New York: Little, Brown & Co Manovich, L. (2013). Software Takes Command. London: Bloomsbury Van Dijk, J. (2013). The Culture of Connectivity. A Critical History of Social Media. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Elective

MCC 400 | Communication Research Methods

Semester: A
ECTS: 10

Course Description This unit covers in detail the practice of research methods in the field of communication. Students will become familiar with developing the research question(s), formulating the research questions and hypotheses of their study, selecting participants and instruments. Moreover, they will explore the various designs that are used in quantitative (e.g. experimental and quasi experimental design, correlational design, surveys) and qualitative (e.g. interviews, focus groups) research. During these sessions students will learn how to select the appropriate research design depending on the area they wish to study and the analysis that is required for each set of data (quantitative or qualitative). A great emphasis is also given to the ethical issues in research methods. Course Objectives Understand the issues involved in the design of research in the field of communication Understand the strengths and weaknesses of each research methodology Formulate a clear research question and be able to write a research proposal Select the appropriate research technique to answer specific research questions in the field of communication Communicate and disseminate the research output Learning Outcomes After successful completion of the course students will be able: To perform effective literature search Το adopt a critical approach to existing scientific knowledge To set the appropriate goal and research questions To justify their methodological choices Το apply a variety of research designs To design a realistic research proposal Class/Learning activities Lectures, workshops, group work, in-class presentations, literature study, written assignments Workload Type of work Description Hours Lectures Thirteen 3-hours lectures 39 Independent study Study of compulsory and optional literature 30-40 Article Presentation Locate and present an article during class 25-30 Labs Develop, submit and present the materials required for each of the three labs 50-60 Research Proposal 3.000 words written assignment 90-100 Total workload 239-269 Assessment Type of assessment Learning outcome Impact on final grade Date of assessment Participation in-class discussion 2-5 10% Regularly Lab Presentations 1-4 20% 5th, 9th, 13th week Article Presentations 1-2 10% Regularly Research proposal 5-6 60% 15th week Required Reading Wimmer, R. D., & Dominic, J. R. (2013). Mass media research: An introduction (10 th ed). Boston, MA: Wadsworth Publishing Additional Recommended Reading Babbie, E. (2013). The basics of social research (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning. Baxter, L., & Babbie, E. (2004). The basics of communication research. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning Berger, A. (2019). Media and communication research methods: An introduction to qualitative and quantitative approaches (5 th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approach (5th ed.). Thousand Oak: CA, Sage. Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2016). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4rth ed.). Thousand Oak: CA, Sage Lindlof, T. R., & Taylor, B. C. (2017). Qualitative communication research methods (4rth ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Merrigan, G., & Huston, C. L. (2019). Communication research methods (4rth ed.). Oxford University. Mertens, D. M. (2015). Research and evaluation in education and psychology: Integrating diversity with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods (4rth ed.). Thousand Oak: CA, Sage. Silverman, D. (2018). Doing qualitative research (4rth ed.). London: Sage.

DIM104 | Television and Digital Cultures

Semester: B
ECTS: 10

Course Description This course studies TV and digital media both as means of social, political and cultural representations and also as platforms of creating new public and private realities. On the one hand, it concentrates on the various ways television has culturally influenced the audiovisual culture of modern societies, the role that televisual codes play in the era of media convergence and the domination of social media (YouTube culture). In this framework, the terms of infotainment, tabloidization, glocalization, spectacle and surveillance culture are important to analyze. On the other hand, the course employs a sociological study of the basic dimensions of post-modern private and public sphere and the role the audiovisual media have played in their convergence. In this framework the terms of privatization, new communitarianism, individualization, democratization, are going to be discussed in the various ways they unfold in the chaotic digital world of information. Course Objectives Understanding of the central concepts, approaches and debates concerning the convergence between tv culture, cinema and internet Critical assessment of TV studies and research approaches concerning the production the content and the audience of old and new tv culture Effective use of theories concerning TV studies and the convergence culture in the understanding and analysis of contemporary issues, problems, and changes of the audiovisual world Ability to contribute to debates regarding major dimensions and problems of the new audiovisual culture, such as globalization, glocalization, individualization, popular icons Learning Outcomes 1. Define core concepts and approaches in the study of TV culture and convergence culture. 2. Compare and contrast the different outcomes of televisual and digital cultures. 3. Effectively apply them in genealogical research of the audiovisual phenomena 4. Becoming aware of the complex interrelationship and interaction between entertainment, information and interactive spectacle Workload Type of work Description Hours Lectures Thirteen 3-hours lectures 39 Independent study Study of class materials and readings 50-60 Readings in-class presentation Presenting & leading a discussion on a given topic 25-30 Essay outline in-class  presentation Conference type presentation of essay outline 25-30 Research Essay Essay (5000 words) 100-110 Total workload 239-269 Assessment   Type of assessment Learning outcome Impact on final grade Date of assessment Participation in in-class discussion 1-4 10% Regularly In-class presentation of course readings 1-4 10% 2nd-12th week In-class presentation of eassay outline 2-4 10% 13th week Research Essay 2-4 70% 15th week Recommended Reading • Amanda D. Lotz – We Now Disrupt This Broadcast. How Cable Transformed Television and the Internet Revolutionized It All,MIT Press 2018 • Ramon Lobato, Netflix Nations. The Geography of Digital Distribution-NYU Press,2019 • Jenkins, H. Convergence Culture, New York University Press, 2006 • Burgess J. and Green J. YouTube. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2009 • Langer, John. Tabloid Television: Popular Journalism and the “other News” London: Routledge, 1998. • Kuipers, G. “Cultural Globalization as the Emergence of a Transnational Cultural Field: Transnational Television and National Media Landscapes in Four European Countries.” American Behavioral Scientist 55, no. 5 (2011): 541-57.

MCC 402 | Qualitative Research Methods in Communication

Semester: B
ECTS: 10

Course description The course aims to introduce students to the conceptualization, design, and difficulties of qualitative research methods used in media and communication studies, including participant observation and digital ethnography, depth interviews, focus groups, historical analysis, discourse, thematic, visual and content analysis. Course objectives Develop an attitude of exploring inquiries, innovation and creativity, concerning the fields of journalism and popular culture Develop critical thinking skills to assess ideas, acquiring research skills, synthesizing knowledge across disciplines and applying academic knowledge to personal experiences throughout the media world. Develop research abilities through implementing qualitative methodological tools for investigating either the production/content of mediated messages or the audience responses to them. Learning outcomes Familiarize with the logic, design, and pitfalls of qualitative research in media and communication Apply general principles of qualitative analysis to accomplish and evaluate research in media and communication Associate major techniques of qualitative analysis to concrete research topics of interest. Class/Learning activities Lectures, group work, in-class presentations, literature study, written assignments.

DIM102 | Digital tools in new media

Semester: A
ECTS: 10

Course Description New media refers to live and on-demand access to content anytime, anywhere, from a wide variety of digital devices, as well as interactive user feedback, creative participation and community formation around the media content. This course examines issues related to information and communication technologies with emphasis on those related to the media industry and the new media concept. More specifically it examines the technological evolution, the digital convergence, as well as, the Internet and its services. Also, emphasis is given on digital technologies of sound and image, the new environments of audiovisual content production and consumption, along with the technologies of social networking and Web 2.0 that form the modern environment of communication and knowledge at all levels. These issues are examined from a technological perspective but also in terms of use by media professionals. Course Objectives Analyze the ICT evolution that led to the technological convergence and the New Media. Distinguish the basic characteristics of New Media. Understand the internet technology and services with emphasis in those that are utilized by media organizations. Explain the technological evolution, the similarities and the differences between traditional, electronic, digital and New Media. Comprehend the technologies and the characteristics of sound and image in digital and New Media. Analyze as benchmarks best practices of New Media usage in media organizations. Learning Outcomes Define the core technologies of New Media. Comprehend the special characteristics the new environments of audiovisual content production and consumption New Media. Acquire the necessary technological knowledge in order to fully exploit the potential of New Media in media organizations. Class/Learning activities Lectures, group discussions. in-class presentations, literature study, written assignments.  Workload Type of work Description Hours Lectures ten 3-hour lectures 30 Case study presentations three 3-hour presentations 9 Independent study Study of compulsory and optional literature 40-45 Research Online research 35-40 Written assignments-Presentations Written assignments essay (000-5.000 words) in-class presentations 140-160 Total workload 254-284  Assessment Type of assessment Learning outcome Impact on final grade Date of assessment Participation in group  discussion 1 10% 1st-12rd week Mid-term exam 1-2 10% 7th week Presentation of assignment 2-3 30% 10th-12th week Written assignment 1-3 40% 13th week Recommended Texts Dewdney, A. (2013). The digital media handbook. London: Routledge. Flew, T. (2014). New media. South Melbourne, Vic.: Oxford University Press. Jeremy Hunsinger and Theresa M. Senft. 2013. The Social Media Handbook (1st ed.). Routledge, New York, NY, 10001. Eugenia Siapera and Andreas Veglis (eds) (2012), The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Online Journalism, Blackwell Publishing. Peter Norton (2008) Introduction to Computers, McGraw Hill

DIM 109 | Digital Storytelling in Travel and Tourism

Semester: B
ECTS: 10

Course Description This course provides students with a broad understanding of the global Tourism and Hospitality sector, the latest trends in the travel industry, and the role of storytelling in destination branding and digital marketing. It also focuses on the challenges, crises, and global issues that affect tourism in the post-pandemic era and explores the impact of storytelling on awareness raising and attitude change for responsible tourism and sustainable travel behavior.  The course offers a combination of theory, case studies, assignments, hands-on activities, and group projects aiming at exploring new forms of travel communication through digital media. Course Objectives Understand the role of digital media in travel and tourism. Recognize, understand, analyze, and discuss the travel article typology. Recognize the structure and narrating techniques of travel stories. Gain knowledge about tools and techniques for mobile writing, editing, and publishing. Appreciate the role of travel journalism and travel User Generated Content (UGC) in communicating culture, understanding and respecting the ‘Others’, and promoting a sustainable and responsible travel lifestyle. Learning Outcomes Have knowledge of the latest trends and industry sectors in Tourism and Hospitality. Be able to produce online travel stories and audiovisual travel content. Have the knowledge and develop skills for strategic storytelling in the tourism and hospitality sector. Class/Learning activities In-class presentations- workshops, discussions, case studies, literature study, assignments, final project. Workload Type of work Description Hours In-class activities, lectures/presentations and experiential tasks Thirteen 3-hours 39 Research and literature review for discussion topics Online research and preparation for discussions 30 Independent study Study of the suggested literature 40-45 Project based group work Small creative in class group tasks 20-25 Digital Media storytelling project Final project hands on 100-110 Total workload 229-249 Assessment Type of assessment Learning outcome Impact on final grade Date of assessment Participation in discussion topics 1,3 10% Weekly Presentation of creative tasks and experiential exercises 1,2,3 20% 3th-12th week Written assignment 1,3 20% 8th-9th week  Final Project 1,2,3 40% 9th-12th week Presentation of the Final Project 1,2,3 10% 13th week Suggested Reading Buhalis, D. (Eds.). (2022). Encyclopedia of Tourism Management and Marketing. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing Fürsich, E. (2002). How can global journalists represent the ‘other’? A critical assessment of the cultural studies concept for media practice’ Journalism, 3(1), 57–84. Fürsich, E., & Kavoori, A. P. (2001). Mapping a critical framework for the study of travel journalism. International Journal of Cultural Studies, 4(2), 149–171. Hay, N. A., Chien, P. M., & Ruhanen, L. (2022). Tell me your story: Branding destinations through residents’ (place) stories. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 28(3), 319–334 Hanusch, F., Fürsich, E. (2014) Travel Journalism. Palgrave Macmillan. Hartman, S., Parra, C. Roo, G. (2019) Framing strategic storytelling in the context of transition management to stimulate tourism destination development, Tourism Management, 75 (1), 90-98. Youssef,K.B., Leicht, T., Marongiu, L. (2019) Storytelling in the context of destination marketing: an analysis of conceptualisations and impact measurement, Journal of Strategic Marketing, 27:8, 696-7 Mansfield, C. (2017). ‘Travel writing in place branding–a case study on Nantes’, Journal of Tourism. Heritage & Services Marketing, 3(2), 1–7. McGaurr, L. (2015). Environmental Communication and Travel Journalism. NY: Routledge. Pan, B., MacLaurin, T., & Crotts, J. C. (2007). Travel blogs and the implications for destination marketing. Journal of Travel Research, 46(1), 35–45. Pera, R. (2017) Empowering the new traveller: storytelling as a co-creative behaviour in tourism, Current Issues in Tourism, 20:4, 331-338 Tran, N. L., & Rudolf, W. (2022). Social Media and Destination Branding in Tourism: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Sustainability, 14(20) Urry, J. and Larsen, J. (2011) The Tourist Gaze 3.0. London: Sage.

DIM 110 | Digital audiovisual content production and publishing

Semester: B
ECTS: 10

Course Description The course aims at providing to the students the essential knowledge on digital audiovisual content production and publishing to the new media environment. It involves the development of creative thinking along with lecturing the basic principles in audiovisual production. Sound and image fundamentals, hearing and vision aspects are deployed initially, followed by composition rules and editing theory and techniques for both audio and video. Capturing equipment and software applications related to audio and video content are used presenting the different ways they may be used in order the final outcome to be reached. The students work hands-on in the laboratory, produce content and make it presentable over various platforms, such as broadcast TV channels, media sharing services (Youtube, soundcloud, etc.), live streaming services (UStream, etc) or social networking (Facebook, Google+, etc) and microblogging (Twitter). Course Objectives Understand the production phases of audiovisual content production and publishing. Recognize, understand, analyze, and discuss the storytelling techniques for audio and video production. Recognize the structure of various audiovisual production formats. Gain knowledge on equipment and tools used in audiovisual production. Understand the different audiovisual forms involved in different publishing platforms. Learning Outcomes Have knowledge on equipment employed in audiovisual production and their use. Be able to produce audio and video short productions. Have the knowledge and may develop digital storytelling skills in various audiovisual formats. Be able to present analytically and justify their work Class/Learning activities In-class presentations-workshops, case studies, literature study, assignments, final project. Workload   Type of work Description Hours In-class activities, lectures/presentations and hands-on laboratorial tasks thirteen 3-hours 39 Independent study Study of the suggested literature 40-50 Digital audio and video productions Final Project 100-120 Total Workload 209-249  Assessment Type of assessment Learning outcome Impact on final grade Date of assessment Participation & Presentation 1,2,3 20% Every Week Audio and video productions 1,2,3 40% 6th & 13th week Presentation of audiovisual productions 1,2,3,4 10% 6th & 13th week Written assignment (Report) on productions 4 30% 13th week Recommended Reading Burum, I. (2016). MOJO: the mobile journalism handbook: how to make broadcast videos with an iPhone or iPad. New York: Focal Press, Taylor & Francis Group. Dancyger, K. (2014). The technique of film and video editing: history, theory, and practice. CRC Press. Gitner, S. (2016). Multimedia storytelling for digital communicators in a multiplatform world. New York: Routledge. Lunbay, K. (2008). Digital Storytelling, Mediatized Stories, Self-representations in New Media, Peter Lang Miller, C. H. (2014). Digital storytelling: a creator’s guide to interactive entertainment. Burlington, MA: Focal Press Owens, J. & Millerson, G. (2012). Video Production Handbook 5th Edition, Focal Press Rosenthal, A. (2007). Writing, Directing, and Producing Documentary Films and Videos: Southern Illinois University. Willett, A. (2013). Media production. A practical guide to radio and TV, Routledge Walter, E. (2014). The power of visual storytelling: how to use visuals, videos, and social media to market your brand. New York: McGraw-Hill. https://www.colormatters.com/color-and-design/color-systems-rgb-and-cmyk/64-color-and-vision/50-how-the-eye-sees-color Basics of Film Lighting: Roger Deakins & the 4 Qualities of Light to Know (studiobinder.com)

DIM 111 | Multimedia Storytelling: Authoring for Interactive Media

Semester: B
ECTS: 10

Course Description This course aims to teach students how to create news stories with multimedia tools, creating an engaging experience for the audience. During this skills-oriented course, students are called to design and implement a multimedia project. Hard skills of multimedia projects implementation and management and soft skills on creative thinking, collaboration, time-management, problem-solving and effective communication are developed. Several contemporary examples of successful multimedia storytelling projects will be discussed, to capture the latest trends in the field. Starting from the introduction to storytelling as a communication tool and the shift from traditional to digital principles, the learning path leads from the conception of a creative idea to formulation of a technical project plan. Emphasis is given to the specific characteristics and also to the medium that is suitable for each content type. The students work hands-on individually and in groups in the laboratory, with practical exercises that include animated material and interactive multimedia content and make it available through various technologies. These utilities may include the creation of user interfaces and interactive prototypes (mockups on Balsamiq Studios, Figma, etc.), web design services (Wix, etc.), interactive video authoring and publishing (YouTube, h5p.org, etc.), social networking (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.) and others. Course Objectives Understand basic storytelling principles in a multimedia environment.  Adopt best copywriting practices to tackle attractiveness, discoverability, and engagement (e.g. audience targeting, SEO, etc.) of a news story. Explain the technological evolution by analyzing content and application specifications. Investigate interaction in multimedia storytelling, from the User eXperience (UX) perspective. Analyse, understand and exploit new digital content production collaborative models in both freelancers and media organizations. Learning Outcomes 1.Comprehend multimedia content production, pre- and post-processing tools, multimedia authoring and media assets integration. 2.Understand the different types of media and their role in multimedia storytelling. 3.Understand multimedia application packaging and distribution strategies. 4.Understanding the role of multimodal digital content and its metadata in the New Media landscape towards the transition to the Semantic Web (Web 3.0 and beyond). 5.Acquire the demanded technological know-how and skills in order to fully exploit the potentials of New Media in digital content production, authoring, sharing, accessing and interacting, including augmented documentation through semantic tagging. 6.Comprehend and adapt with the new digital content production roles in both media organizations and UGC models. Class/Learning activities Lectures, tools and services presentations, laboratory exercises and demos, multimedia production projects. Workload Type of work Description Hours Lectures thirteen 1-hour lectures 13 Laboratory exercises thirteen 2-hour exercises 26 Laboratory preparation Study of material related to tools and services 26-39 Section projects 2 section projects: 1) Designing & Prototyping, and 2) Media assets production / selection 40-50 Final multimedia production project Integrated multimedia production project, including authoring, publishing and dissemination 150-160 Total workload 255-288 Assessment Type of assessment Learning outcome Impact on final grade Date of assessment Participation in group discussion 1-4 10% 1st-12rd week Laboratory exercises 2-5 20% 2nd – 9th week Section projects 2-6 30% 4th, 7th, 10th week Final project 5,6 40% 13th week Recommended Bibliography Balsamiq [low-fidelity UI wireframing] Retrieved on 7 February 2023 from: https://balsamiq.com/learn/ Figma [high-fidelity interactive prototyping]. Retrieved on 7 February 2023 from: https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/categories/360002042553-Figma-design/ Markova, V., & Sukhoviy, O. (2020). Storytelling as a Communication Tool in  Journalism: Main Stages of Development. Journal of History Culture and Art Research, 9(2), 355-366. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.7596/taksad.v9i2.2516 Podara, A., Giomelakis, D., Nicolaou, C., Matsiola, M., & Kotsakis, R. (2021). Digital storytelling in cultural heritage: Audience engagement in the interactive documentary new life. Sustainability, 13(3), 1193. Vaughan, T. (2014). Multimedia: making it work. 9th Ed., McGraw-Hill Osborne Media. Shneiderman B., Plaisant C., Cohen Μ., Jacobs S. (2010). Designing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interaction. Addison-Wesley Publ. Co., Reading, MA (5th Ed.). Wix [web building /CMS platform] (N.D.). Wix help center. Retrieved on 7 February 2023, from https://support.wix.com/en/

DIM 112 | Strategic Digital Marketing

Semester: A
ECTS: 10

Course Description Digitization has dynamically entered contemporary media landscape and the line between online and offline is becoming less distinct, for both consumers and businesses. Consumers are increasingly sophisticated and highly connected, and they seek products and information personalized, relevant and convenient across all traditional and digital channels. The present course aims to outline the essentials of marketing theory and offers a structured approach to identifying, understanding and solving marketing problems. It describes how consumer behavior has been developed in the digital era, discusses consumer buying incentives and analyzes segmentation, targeting and positioning strategies. Moreover, the course examines marketing research methods and customer relationship management strategies and discusses how Internet has transformed the interaction between customers and organizations. Branding strategies as well as the key elements of marketing mix strategy are described. Finally, the course explains how to evaluate and measure digital success, developing an understanding of the KPIs and metrics, while digital tools and tactics are explored, focusing on how they align and contribute to the overall business strategy. Course Objectives The main objectives of the course are to: Describe marketing operations by examining issues such as product policies, pricing, marketing communications, distribution channels and marketing research Familiarize students with the components of a strategic marketing plan Familiarize students with processes involved in formulating, implementing and controlling a strategic marketing program Examine current trends and challenges in strategic marketing and how organizations adapt to them Discuss the importance of marketing research and explain its contribution to analyse markets, customers and stakeholders Explore how marketing interacts with other levels of strategy and with other functional departments within an organization Analyze marketing issues in media industries Explain how new technologies and digitization have changed the way we market Discuss the use of digital marketing frameworks and theories in developing digital strategies Learning Outcomes After completion of the course students are expected to be able to: Summarize the key characteristics and major dimensions of complex marketing environment Indicate and utilize strategic opportunities through internal and external analysis Inquire and interpret consumer behaviour towards strategic marketing planning and decision-making Utilize strategic planning tools and apply strategic models Develop and critically appraise integrated marketing strategies in a wide range of industries and organizations Demonstrate the key theoretical marketing concepts to develop a strategic marketing plan with appropriate and measurable strategic marketing goals Evaluate and appraise strategic marketing decisions and success in relation to business goals Class/Learning activities Faculty Lectures and Guest-Lectures Seminars Directed and Background Reading Academic Paper Discussion Case Study Analysis Individual Project Student-led Presentations Workload Type of work Description Hours Lectures Thirteen 3-hours lectures 39 Weekly Activities Organization and coordination of group work 20-25 Independent study Study of compulsory and optional literature 40-45 Research Case study 35-40 Individual Project Written assignment 1. Essay (4500 words) 2. Student-led Presentation     120-140 Total Workload 254 – 289 Assessment Type of Assessment Learning Outcome Impact on Final  Grade Date of Assessment Individual Project       1-7           80% 12th – 13th week In-Class Activities / Participation 1-7         20%       Regularly Reading Required Reading Classnotes Chernev, A.& Kotler, P. (2018) Strategic Marketing Management, 9th ed., Cerebellum Press. Chafey, D. (2016) Digital Marketing, 7th ed., Pearson. Recommended Reading Cravens, D. W. (2012) Strategic Marketing, McGraw-Hill Education. Kingsnorth, S. (2016) Digital Marketing Strategy: An Integrated Approach to Online Marketing, Kogan Page. Academic Journals European Journal of Marketing Journal of Strategic Marketing Journal of Digital & Social Media Marketing Journal of Digital Marketing International Journal of Internet Marketing and Advertising Journal of Business Market Management Journal of Business Research

Optional

IP2300 | Writing for the Print Media

Semester: A
ECTS: NO

Course Description This advanced English course focuses on news (both hard and soft) and feature story writing for the print media. By combining theory and practice it introduces students to headline language, news story format, leads, the Associated Press stylebook and news writing techniques. The students also have the opportunity to practice their interviewing skills and to write personality features for the print media. Course Format This course will employ seminar lectures, discussions, and practical in- and out-of-class short assignments. Course Evaluation The course carries no ECTS and as such it has no formal assessment. There is an optional mid-term and final term test. Bibliography The Associated Press Stylebook (2015). Associated Press. Bagnall, Nicholas (1993). Newspaper Language. Focal Press. Dominick, J.R. (2010). The Dynamics of Mass Communications: Media in the Digital Age. NJ: Mac-Graw Hill Education. Harris, G. & D. Spark (1995), 2nd edition. Practical Newspaper Reporting, Focal Press. Itule, B. D. and D. A. Anderson (1989), 2nd edition. News Writing and Reporting for Today’s Media. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc. Keeble, R. (1994). The Newspapers Handbook. London and New York: Routledge. Mencher, M. (1994), 6th edition. News Reporting and Writing. Wm. C. Brown Publishers. Metzler, K. (1997). Creative Interviewing. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Stovall, J. G. (2009), 7th edition. Writing for the Mass Media. Boston: Pearson.

Accademic Writing Course

MCC 401 | Dissertation Research & Writing Skills

Semester: A
ECTS: NO

Course Description This course is designed to help graduate students with academic writing by developing the skills necessary to produce high quality work in term-papers and the end-of-year dissertation. The lectures, tasks and activities are richly varied, ranging from small-scale language points to studying the discourse of journalism, media, and communication. Topics to be dealt with include: writing expository and argumentative texts, writing summaries, introductions and conclusions, discussion of data, citing and attributing sources, researching and creating bibliographies. Students receive feedback on their writing and are expected to engage in self-editing and peer-reviewing. The course is highly recommended for students with little experience in writing academic papers and for those who need to brush up their skills in academic writing. Learning Outcomes By the end of this course students should be able to: Understand the features of academic writing Understand the basics of sentence, paragraph, and argument structure Use and evaluate sources, and compile a bibliography Use punctuation, in-text references, quotations, and footnotes Avoid plagiarism Write summaries/introductions/conclusions Write academic essays and their end-of-year dissertation Understand and participate in the processes of self-editing and peer-reviewing. Workload Type of work Description Hours Lectures Thirteen 3-hour lectures 39 Independent study Study of academic discourse 30 Written assignments Optional tasks on language points (grammar, vocabulary, style)  and on various types of academic writing 60 Total workload 129  Assessment Type of assessment Learning outcome Impact on final grade Date of assessment The course carries no formal assessment – – –