The division Communication History and Media Cultures focuses on continuities and disruptions in the development of communication and the media as well as in the history of communication studies. Communication history is studied from a social scientific perspective. Media structures and media related action are understood as being influenced by and influencing society. Our research and teaching are theory-driven and apply qualitative social scientific and historical methods. We follow the idea that historical research helps to understand current developments in the media and in society. Specific areas of research and teaching are the history of communication studies, media policy and its history, and qualitative methods.