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Evolution of the Media in the 21st century
Certificate of European Studies (CES) Parcours Certificate of European Studies (CES)
ComposanteSciences Po Strasbourg
Catalogue2025-2026
Description
The media industry today, like most sectors, is forced to adapt to changing circumstances brought about, and accelerated, by the fourth industrial revolution. Not so long ago, the vast majority of people received the news by watching television or reading the written press. In the space of a few decades, the ways of accessing the news have exploded from broadcast news (CBS, NBC and ABC) to cable news (CNN, MSNBC, Fox News) to online media (including Youtube) and social networks. New technologies have revolutionized what is considered news, who reports the news, how newscasts are produced, and how ordinary people obtain the news. According to a 2020 Pew Research poll, 86% of Americans consult digital platforms for the news, and 42% of people under age 30 turn to social media for the news. Posting links to articles and "liking" them allows people to read only the news that reinforces their pre-existing personal opinions.
News outlets have had to adapt their offer to a faster-paced world of shorter attention spans and they have had to compete with ordinary citizens who post videos and publish pieces on personal blogs. In addition, the free access to much of this information on the Internet has reduced subscriptions to traditional media, like newspapers, which in turn, have had to change their business models and find ways to remain profitable. One response has been to offer much of their material on the Internet at reduced cost. Another has been to increase the entertainment component to the detriment of more in-depth analysis of major issues. "Infotainment" has blurred the distinction between what is worthy of being considered news. All of this has had a major impact on both society and people's trust in government and in the media.
The freedom of the press was enshrined in the First Amendment of the US Constitution and Thomas Jefferson, amongst others, repeatedly defended it as the foundational freedom upon which all other freedoms depend. In a letter to the Marquis de Lafayette in 1823, he wrote: "the only security of all is in a free press. The force of public opinion cannot be resisted, when permitted freely to be expressed." In today’s media landscape of blogs and citizen journalism competing with traditional news outlets, this statement needs reassessing. This course will take the United States as an example, but comparisons with other countries will be encouraged. Numerous issues will be explored through group presentations.
Compétences visées
Knowledge of the historical and current media landscape
Ability to speak knowledgeably about the link between the freedom of expression and democracy
Ability to explain how the digital era has disrupted and revolutionized the dissemination of information
Ability to distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources of information
Disciplines
- Science politique
- Études anglophones
- Histoire et civilisations: histoire des mondes modernes, histoire du monde contemporain; de l'art; de la musique
- Sciences de l'information et de la communication
MCC
Les épreuves indiquées respectent et appliquent le règlement de votre formation, disponible dans l'onglet Documents de la description de la formation.
- Régime d'évaluation
- CT (Contrôle terminal, mêlé de contrôle continu)
- Coefficient
- 4.0
Évaluation initiale / Session principale - Épreuves
| Libellé | Type d'évaluation | Nature de l'épreuve | Durée (en minutes) | Coéfficient de l'épreuve | Note éliminatoire de l'épreuve | Note reportée en session 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Contrôle continu composé de la moyenne des évaluations | CC | A |
The Certificate of European Studies (CES) is a university degree awarded at the end of a semester of study at Sciences Po Strasbourg. The curriculum is taught exclusively in English and aims to allow students who speak little or no French to have access to a top-level education in a French « Grande Ecole » (elite university).
Focusing on Europe from a global perspective, the Certificate of European Studies combines lectures, small-group tutorials, field trips and educational visits while introducing students to the French language and culture.
Thanks to the long-standing partnership between Sciences Po Strasbourg and the European institutions (European Parliament, Council of Europe, etc.), CES students have a unique opportunity to gain both theoretical and practical knowledge of Europe from the very heart of its capital.
Open to exchange students and free movers
This diploma is intended for international students, enrolled in a university abroad with an aim to obtain a degree and having the equivalent of at least two semesters (i.e. 60 ECTS credits) validated in their home university, preferably, but not necessarily, in the following fields : Law, Economics, Political Science, International Relations and Contemporary History.
The CES is targeted at students with little or no French language skills (A1-A2), but proof of advanced command of English is necessary (B2 in English required).
The Certificate of European Studies is open to both exchange students coming from partner universities and to free movers (non-exchange students).
Organization of the study program
The Certificate of European Studies can be taken first or second semester.
The program begins, each semester, with an intensive French course.
During the semester, students must take French language courses, 4 compulsory courses related to Europe (depending on the semester: History of European integration, Political Sociology of Europe, Cultural Policy in Europe, The EU and the World Economy, etc.) and a seminar coupled with pedagogical visits to the European institutions. In addition, they choose 2 optional courses and participate in a field trip (Frankfurt, Brussels, Luxembourg ...).
For further details, please see the CES brochure with course descriptions for first semester and for second semester.
First semester, the program begins at the beginning of September; courses and exams are completed before the Christmas holidays.
Second semester, the program begins at the beginning of January; courses and exams are completed at the end of May.
How to apply
- Your home university has an exchange agreement with Sciences Po Strasbourg (Erasmus+ agreement or bilateral agreement) or with the University of Strasbourg (exchange agreement for universities outside Europe only) : you must be selected by your home university.
- Your home university does not have an exchange agreement, neither with Sciences Po Strasbourg nor with the University of Strasbourg: you will have to pay a registration fee of €1390.
- The application procedure and schedule for the next sessions of the Certificate of European Studies are available here :
- 2025/26 Semestre 1
- 2025/26 Semestre 2
