The role of sustainability in media and communication studies' curricula throughout Europe. Issue 8 (25th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Karmasin, Matthias; Voci, Denise
• Is Part Of: International journal of sustainability in higher education. Volume 22:Issue 8(2021)
• Page Start: 42
• Page End: 68
• Publication Date: 2021-02-25
• Subjects: Sustainability -- Higher Education -- Curricula -- Sustainability communication -- Media and communication; Environmental education -- Periodicals; Environmental responsibility -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Periodicals; Sustainable development -- Periodicals; 333.70711
• DOI: 10.1108/IJSHE-10-2020-0380
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1467-6370

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: This research aims to analyze to what extent sustainability and its related core aspects are integrated in media and communication's curricula of higher education institutions in Europe. Design/methodology/approach: A total of n = 1068 bachelor and master's degree programs, as well as their related curricula/program specifications, from 28 European countries were analyzed by means of content analysis. Findings: Results show that the level of curricular integration of sustainability aspects in the field of media and communication is low (14%) to very low (6%) on module level. In most cases, sustainability remains an abstract guiding principle that is not translated into a dedicated course offer. This can indicate the difficulty of operationalizing such a concept as sustainability, which is experienced by not only higher education institutions but also policy and society as a whole. In addition, the results leave space for a reflection on the social and educational responsibility of higher education institutions. Research limitations/implications: The authors are aware that not all teaching (content) is depicted in curricula. Especially where teaching is research-based, The authors assume that sustainability (communication) is more present as the curricula' analysis can represent it. In addition, the fact of solely investigating English language curricula can be seen as a further limitation. Originality/value: This research is one of the few attempts to verify the actual integration level of sustainability aspects in the curricula of a specific sustainability-relevant discipline, which is neither conducted as a case study nor as a single-country analysis.