Data Journalism — Specialisation in CIS

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The developments of the internet have given database journalism a new definition, according to which it defines a process where the database becomes the center of the journalistic work (as opposed to the story in traditional journalism). It slowly evolved in data journalism; a journalistic process based on analyzing and filtering large data sets for the purpose of creating a new story.

This new international master explores the opportunities of data journalism from four angles: data retrieval, data storytelling, data visualization and data publishing. It combines the scientific methods of data treatment with the core values of journalism: select, arrange, digest and reflect. The master track puts strong focus on online and social media based journalism.

The master track Data Journalism (DJ) has a natural connection with Human Aspects of Information Technology (HAIT) and Communication Design (CD). Embedded in the strong Communication and Information Sciences program, Tilburg University believes to launch a unique master in which a student learns how to transfer information and how new means of communication can be used.

Your Master's program in Communication and Information Sciences offers a list of courses to choose from in each of the four units. Each course has a label, referring to one of the specialization tracks: Business Communication and Digital Media (BDM), Communication Design (CD), Data Journalism (DJ), Human Aspects of Information Technology (HAIT) and Intercultural Communication (IC). You can make a free choice, or decide to specialize in one of these tracks. If you decide to specialize, you should choose at least four courses with that specific label, such as BDM, CD, DJ, HAIT or IC.

Make sure that you have sufficient time left in the fourth unit to work on your Master's thesis. We strongly advise you to choose and finish 6 courses (36 ECTS) plus 2 research skills modules in the first, second and third unit. You need the research skills to work on your thesis.

Important exception(s)
If you have a deficiency for research methodology and statistics, you will be admitted to the program on the condition that you complete the Research Skills Module: Methodology & Statistics, on the top of your two compulsory Research Skills Modules. You should complete it before starting your thesis. Please note that the 6 ECTS credits of this module do not count as a part of the total 60 ECTS credits of your Master's program.

Unit 1 (September 2013 - October 2013)
1. Choose 2 courses from these options (6 ECTS per course):

* Cognition & Process (CD)
* Communication Strategies (BDM/IC)
* Design and Evaluation of Online Texts (CD/BDM)
* Digital Storytelling (DJ/CD/BDM)
* Intercultural Communication for Professionals (IC/CD)
* Language, Culture and Identity (IC)
* Multimodality & Communication (BDM/CD)
* Natural Language Processing (HAIT)
* Social Media at Work & Play (BDM)
* Social Signal Processing (HAIT/BDM/DJ)

2. Choose 1 Research Skills Module (3 ECTS per module):

* Data Processing: Use
* Experimental Research: Advanced
* Online Data Collection
* Research Interview
* Video Data Analysis
* Methodology & Statistics (6 ECTS only as deficiency course)

Unit 2 (November 2013 - December 2014)
1. Choose 2 courses from these options (6 ECTS per course):

* Cultural Diversity Management (MCD/IC/BDM)
* Cultural Diversity Policies (MCD/IC)
* Culture, Communication and Computers (IC/CD/BDM)
* Data Journalism Practice (DJ)
* Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery (HAIT/DJ)
* Information Search (HAIT)
* Intercultural Competencies and Education (IC)
* Journalistic Data Mining (DJ/BDM/CD)
* Negotiation Strategies (BDM)
* Visual Communication (BDM)

2. Choose 1 Research Skills Module (3 ECTS per module):

* Methods of Analysis of Functional Documents
* Analysis of Variance
* Data Processing: Development
* Eye Tracking
* Ethnographic Research
* Web Analytics

Unit 3 (January 2014 - March 2014)
1. Choose 1 course from these options (6 ECTS per course):

* Advertising and Persuasion (CD/BDM)
* Computer Games (HAIT)
* Evolution of the Internet (HAIT/BDM)
* Interactive Visualization (DJ/CD/BDM)
* Language Policy (IC/CD)
* Mobile Media & Society (BDM)
* Models of Language Learning (BDM/HAIT/IC)
* Non-verbal Communication (CD/IC)
* Precision Journalism (DJ)
* Elective course: 1 other Master's program of the Tilburg School of Humanities, Tilburg University or an other Dutch University

2. Optional extra Research Skills Modules (3 ECTS per module):

* Data Processing: Advanced
* Data Processing: Use
* Research Interview
* Video Data Analysis
* Methodology & Statistics (6 ECTS only as deficiency course)

Unit 4 (April 2014 - July 2014)
1. Masterthesis

2. Choose 1 course from these options (6 ECTS per course):

* Data Journalism Practice (DJ)
* Ethnographic Approaches to Social Media (IC/BDM/CD)
* Health Communication 2.0 (CD/BDM)
* Language & globalization (IC/BDM)
* Miscommunication & Emotion (BDM/CD)
* Organizational Decision Making and Cooperation (HAIT/BDM)
* Social Media Marketing (BDM)
* Understanding Cooperation in Communication (BDM/IC/CD)
* Usage Based Approaches to Knowledge (IC/CD)

3. Optional extra Research Skills Modules (3 ECTS per module):

* Analysis of Variance
* Data Processing: Development
* Ethnographic Research

Before applying, please make sure that you meet the following requirements: * You have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, such as general Communication Studies, Linguistics, or a modern language. Students with a Bachelor's degree in a different subject are most welcome to apply, but we strongly recommend that you consult us in advance for advice. * An adequate knowledge of English is required. Please send us a certified copy of ONE of the following English proficiency tests: Academic IELTS (min. 6.5 overall/6.0 on parts), TOEFL (min. paper-based: 577, computer-based: 233, internet-based: 90; the TOEFL Institutional Code for Tilburg University is 9860) or Cambridge Proficiency Examination. The English proficiency tests must be less than two years old at the time of application.You are exempt from an English test: * If you are a native English speaker, i.e. if you are a citizen of one of the following countries: Australia, Canada (with exception of Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States of America. * If you completed all your secondary education in English. This only applies to scholars from the following countries: Australia, Canada (with exception of Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States of America. * If you completed all your university education in English. This only applies to scholars from the following countries: Australia, Canada (with exception of Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States of America. * If you have an International Baccalaureate (IB) or European Baccalaureate (EB) diploma with English as the language of instruction. * If you completed a 4-years Bachelors program (of at least 240 ECTS credits) fully in English in an accredited University of Applied Sciences (HBO) in the Netherlands. * If you completed a 3-years Academic Bachelors program (of at least 180 ECTS credits) fully in English in an accredited Research University the Netherlands. * If you completed a 1 or 2-years Academic Masters program (of at least 60 or 120 ECTS credits respectively) fully in English in an accredited Research University the Netherlands.In all other cases, please send us a certified copy of ONE of the following English proficiency tests: * Academic IELTS (min. 6.5 overall/6.0 on parts), * TOEFL (min. paper-based: 577, computer-based: 233, internet-based: 90; the TOEFL Institutional Code for Tilburg University is 9860)Cambridge Proficiency Examination English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 577 TOEFL iBT® test: 90