Media and Information Competences (PhD.)

The Media and Information Competences study programme provides an enhanced understanding of media, communication and information studies theory with an emphasis on a deeper understanding of media as a specific environment influencing human beings (cognitive, socio-affective, volitional and psychomotor dimensions) and transforming social processes, i.e. the complex effects of communication, especially digital media, at the individual and societal level. It enables a deeper understanding of the educational, epistemological, anthropological, ethical-axiological, semiotic, psychological, sociological and marketing aspects of media or media communication. It is particularly focused on the exploration, creation and transmission of more complex methodologies and strategies for the development of media, information and digital competencies, with an emphasis on critical thinking techniques as tools for immunizing individuals against media information disorders (specially online disinformation) and for the healing of the information ecosystem.

In connection with the study programmes Applied Media Studies - Media Education and Mass Media Communication at the 1st and 2nd levels of higher education, its content enables a deeper understanding of the theoretical and methodological foundations of the issues of media learning and media ecology in a transdisciplinary context. This is with special emphasis on the knowledge of the principles of the creation of new scientific knowledge and the development of the graduate's ability to engage at the required scientific level in the individual stages of the innovation cycle in the cognition and transformation of reality, where communication media and information technologies act as significant educational objects and means of influence on various target groups of individuals, or their formative influence in a broader social dimension can be noted. The study develops independent creative scientific thinking and the graduate's abilities to objectively know and reshape reality within the framework of independent scientific research and development activities in the subject area, in a transdisciplinary manner.

a) Theoretical knowledge

The graduate of the study programme Media and Information Competences at level 3 has up-to-date knowledge of the state of scientific knowledge (system of theories, facts, hypotheses, system of objects of knowledge) in the profile scientific disciplines of the theory of the study programme: media and communication studies, information studies, pedagogy with a focus on critical media teaching, or media and information competences. He/she is oriented in the broad social science background (philosophy, ethics, anthropology, sociology, semiotics, psychology, marketing) as applied to the field of communication media, information channels and education (media learning). Possesses advanced knowledge of the methodology of research, development and evaluation of the subject knowledge of the study program, scientifically correctly formulates problems in the field and conceives strategies for their solution in accordance with the rules of the ethics of scientific work.

(b) Practical skills and competences

A graduate of the study programme Media and Information Competences at Level 3 is able to apply in practice at the methodologically required level the principles of independent creative scientific work, to develop objective knowledge and practical transformation of the subject areas of the study programme and thus contribute to its development. Acquisition of the given competence presupposes that the graduate will be able to:

• competently solve basic and specific problems of the study programme,
• apply strategies of critical and creative scientific thinking in the subject area of the study programme, define and thematise new problems of scientific investigation and independently find professionally informed and creative methods of their solution,
• design and develop basic and applied research and experimental development in the field,
• engage professionally in all phases of the design, implementation and management of research and development projects in the field of media learning, or the development of media, information and digital competences, critical thinking and fact-checking,
• evaluate the effectiveness of diverse learning projects aimed at developing media, information and digital competences, critical thinking and fact-checking of individuals of different target groups,
• to conceive strategies for the development of educational policy and system of learning about media and the development of media, information and digital competences of the population of the Slovak Republic and more broadly in the European context,
• developing professional tools for verifying content disseminated online in text and multimedia form and engaging in collectively run interdisciplinary fact-checking and verification teams specialising in identifying online misinformation,
• apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the design and solution of their own scientific research project in a dissertation.
• The graduate is also able to carry out pedagogical activities in his/her field - to teach specialized subjects at the university.

c) Additional knowledge, abilities and skills

A graduate of the 3rd degree study programme Media and Information Competences is able to work effectively and responsibly as a member of an expert scientific research team at national and international level, to use the knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research, to demonstrate social and communicative competences in establishing and maintaining scientific communication as well as communication with the target groups of his/her professional activity, to use a professional foreign language fluently, as well as to be able to apply modern development trends in his/her discipline and to pursue further professional and professional growth.

• expert in the creation of theoretical models, strategies and research plans for the development and evaluation of the level of media, information, digital media learning competences and critical thinking of different target groups in the conditions of the Slovak Republic, but also in the wider European context,
• expert in designing and managing education and training programmes for target groups, especially media workers in media and information competences, fact-checking and analytical-critical work with information,
• expert in the design of critical thinking development programmes and their application in various sectors of the information services,
• Expert in creating fact-checking and fact-checking programs in digital and social media, news agencies, specialized professional institutions, international networks, teams and review boards,
• Information analyst and media analyst, specifically social media,
• expert in the design of educational policy in the field of MIK, digital competences, media ecology,
• researcher and university lecturer in the field,
• preventionist in the field of ICT security and online threats.

Admission conditions for DAY and EXTERNAL form of study.

See the subjects and curriculum you will take during your studies in the DAY form of study.

See the subjects and study plan you will take during your studies in the EXTERNAL form of study.