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graduate school of communication master s programmes in communication science

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cover nadine `t zand sophie boerman theo araujo photo dirk gillissen

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word of welcome is your ambition to excel in communication science then our graduate school is the right place for you our choice of topics in the field offers something for almost everyone it doesn t matter if you want to be involved with persuasive communications specialize in political communication corporate communication or gain expertise in youth and media we have what you need the graduate school established at the beginning of 2009 supervises all the communications science master s programmes our close cooperation with the amsterdam school of communication research ascor means our master students have access to the most recent scientific research almost all our teaching staff undertake research indeed graduates following a research master s study get to work alongside top researchers in the field this brochure gives an overview of the courses and tracks possible at the graduate school in addition you are welcome to visit our website which has specific information such as course details application and admission requirements as well as profiles of our researchers we wish you every success in finding the right course for you and hope to welcome you as a student here soon prof peter neijens dean graduate school of communication 3 university of amsterdam graduate school of communication universiteit van amsterdam faculteit der naam

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content word of welcome 3 studying at the graduate school of communication 5 university of amsterdam master s programmes corporate communication persuasive communication political communication youth and media communication science research master journalism media and globalisation 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 15 practical matters 17 4 university of amsterdam graduate school of communication universiteit van amsterdam faculteit der naam

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studying at the graduate school of communication communication science has developed rapidly over the past fifteen years and has become a flourishing study the graduate school offers a diverse range of programmes covering the main areas within the communication science discipline firstly there is the one-year master s programme in communication science with courses tracks taught in dutch and english focusing on corporate communications youth and media persuasive communication and political communication secondly there is the two-year english taught research master in communication science an excellent study for motivated students wishing to do research and planning to continue their studies as a phd student the graduate school also offers an international programme in cooperation with four other european universities journalism media and globalisation students following this two-year programme study at the uva and abroad the programmes taught in english are interesting to dutch students as they offer the chance to acquire the relevant contacts and knowledge to make it easier to either study abroad or enter an international career path the graduate school of communication is in the oost-indisch huis right in the heart of amsterdam this building also houses both the college of communication for under-graduate programmes and the amsterdam school of communication research ascor ascor is a renowned research facility for communication science in the netherlands and one of the largest in the world many senior researchers associated with ascor lecture in the master s programmes offered by the graduate school you can find more information about ascor s research and research teams at www.ascor.uva.nl 5 university of amsterdam graduate school of communication universiteit van amsterdam faculteit der naam

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university of amsterdam the university of amsterdam is a metropolitan university with an excellent reputation for research which gives students the chance to study in an international environment and enjoy the academic social and cultural opportunities the city of amsterdam has to offer the university of amsterdam uva is a modern university with a rich history its roots go back to 1632 when the amsterdam city council founded the athenaeum illustre to train students in trade and philosophy until the nineteenth century this remained a small institution with no more than 250 students and eight professors in 1877 it was renamed the university of amsterdam and granted the right to confer the highest academic degrees the uva is now one of the largest universities in europe with seven faculties and more than 28,000 students and 5,000 staff members it currently offers the highest number of bachelor s and master s degree programmes in the netherlands with master s programmes covering nearly every academic discipline partly because many of the master s programmes are taught in english the uva attracts many international students consequently it has a student body with a multitude of nationalities in addition the wide range of academic programmes and courses available to choose from means students can tailor their studies to suit their personal ambitions and talents the uva ensures they are supported during and after their studies via academic and career counselling the uva prides itself on being an excellent research university many of its master s programmes directly reflect leading research in a given field of study thus exposing students to groundbreaking research during their studies research master s programmes are offered in nearly every discipline the research master s programmes are designed specifically to prepare students for phd level research or a researchbased career the research activities significance at the uva extends beyond the confines of the academic community and their findings benefit society at large in fact the problems and issues affecting society often provide the stimulus for the scientific studies the uva is inextricably linked with the city of amsterdam its facilities offices and faculties are spread throughout the city the majority of the uva s arts and social science programmes are housed in the city centre along with a large number of facilities including the university library the special collections library and the zoological museum amsterdam many of the faculties are housed in characteristic old buildings in the heart of the city in fact with the faculties spread across the city in this way the uva s campus is amsterdam itself amsterdam is a global media centre nowhere else would you the same level of media business expertise and activity there s probably no better place to acquire and develop your skills and competencies or study the role communications has in modern society 6 university of amsterdam graduate school of communication universiteit van amsterdam faculteit der naam

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master s programmes 7 university of amsterdam graduate school of communication universiteit van amsterdam faculteit der naam

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master s programmes the uva has more than 230 master s programmes several of which are unique in the netherlands and others renowned around the world the master s programmes cover a diverse range of subject areas more than 120 of these are taught entirely in english research master s programmes research programme which has been accepted by a peer review the graduate school of communication takes care of the phd student training programme at ascor students who are interested in a phd position should visit ascor s website for information about current phd vacancies www.ascor.uva.nl english language requirements non-native english speakers must have a reasonable level of proficiency in english please note that some faculties or institutes require higher test scores than others scores from the following tests are accepted n n n the two year research master s programme prepares students for a career in research or the pursuit of a phd the minimum entry requirement is a dutch bachelor s degree or its equivalent in a relevant field students are also selected on the basis of motivation research skills and previous academic results phd programmes educational style students from other countries may notice a considerable difference between the style of education in their own country and here in the netherlands the approach at the uva entrusts students with a high degree of individual responsibility encouraging them to develop an independent and critical way of thinking this type of academic environment will be part of the challenge students face when they follow a programme at the uva study programmes comprise a number of courses and generally conclude with a thesis depending on the course classes meet once or twice a week in sessions of two or three hours each toefl ielts academic module cambridge international for more detailed information about the english language requirements per master s programme please visit www.uva.nl/isp application and admission the graduate school makes every effort to ensure that the students entering the programmes are in a position to gain the maximum benefit from the opportunity the application and admission requirements therefore vary from programme to programme candidates are strongly advised to check the website for the most recent information graduateschoolofcommunication@uva.nl each faculty has a keen interest in supporting phd research in or across all the disciplines covered at the university both dutch and international students can take part in phd programmes at the university of amsterdam international candidates must have an academic qualification equivalent to a dutch master s degree although those with a research master are even more welcome students at the uva pursue their phd qualifications in different ways n credit system semesters are composed of courses each worth 6 to 12 ects credits in accordance with the european credit transfer system ects this makes it possible to transfer credits more easily between european academic institutions a full-time study for one academic year represents 60 credits corresponding to 1,680 hours of study students with non-dutch undergraduate qualifications n n as a `promovendus phd student which is in effect a researcher employed within a research initiative that has advertised for applicants occasionally by enrolling on an existing formal study programme where they pay tuition or as an external candidate with funding who has proposed a the master s programme communication science seeks students with a bachelor or equivalent degree in communication science ideally applicants will also have sufficient knowledge of research methodology students with good foreign undergraduate qualifications in related disciplines but who lack sufficient knowledge may still be admitted 8 university of amsterdam graduate school of communication universiteit van amsterdam faculteit der naam

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provided they complete the special preparatory programme or crash course offered at our department admission is highly competitive and is based on the student s overall academic record and motivation students with a regular dutch bachelor degree students with a regular dutch bachelor degree in communication science obtained at the university of amsterdam vu university twente university or radboud university nijmegen are directly admissible to the one-year programme students with a regular dutch academic bachelor degree in a different field of study need to take a preparatory programme schakelprogramma first please see our website for more information about conversion programmes application procedures and deadlines students with a higher professional degree students with a higher professional degree hbo cannot be admitted to our master s programmes these students need to obtain an academic bachelor degree in communication science before they can be accepted to the master s programmes www.uval.nl/schakelprogramma overview of master s programmes graduate school of communication track corporate communication track persuasive communication track political communication track youth and media communication science research master journalism media and globalisation erasmus mundus title msc msc msc msc msc ma taught in dutch english and dutch english english and dutch english english mode of study full-time/part-time full-time/part-time full-time/part-time full-time/part-time full-time full-time duration 1 year/min 1½ year 1 year/min 1½ year 1 year/min 1½ year 1 year/min 1½ year 2 years 2 years the programme content and curriculum will be available in english in due course please check web site for details 9 university of amsterdam graduate school of communication universiteit van amsterdam faculteit der naam

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prof peter neijens programme director communication science `apple albert heijn greenpeace iamsterdam communications are central to every organisation this means that systematically grounded communication scientists who can instigate execute analyse and advise are also vitally important the track corporate communication trains these professionals who find work for communications consultancies and in the communications or media relations departments of companies and institutions we pay attention not only to the theory and research but also cooperate with professional in the field corporate communication s lecturers have extensive experience in both the theoretical and practical areas of the topic in short corporate communication is a fascinating fun and functional field of study corporate communication title master of science msc type of programme regular msc duration 1 year full-time 1½ 2 year s part-time credits 60 ects language dutch media channels organisations use the track features topics such as `spindoctoring crisis communication social media and corporate branding internal communications curriculum communication as an instrument of strategy the role of communication as a strategic instrument is a central consideration in the track corporate communication the emphasis is on the development refining execution and effects of communication strategies these are put to use to achieve stated organisational aims and goals multiple stakeholders organisations internal communications are as important as their external messages internal communication will for example introduce you to concepts and theories of organisation culture and communications during change management processes asma tennan corporate communication student `i choose corporate communication because it struck me as the most interesting of the master s programmes during my bachelor i found the subjects communication policy and internal and external communications the most enjoyable the lecturers are all very professional and really helpful they are all approachable which influences the students the lessons are always relaxed i appreciate that we go deep into the material and take an active part in tutorials everybody joins in it isn t just a case of listening to the lecturer but taking part and learning to think critically the students are also professional in their attitude everyone contributes and there is always room for discussion the curriculum of the corporate communication track consists of two required core courses in the first semester `strategic communication within organisations 12 credits and `strategic communication from organisations 12 credits in addition during the first seminar students complete the course `research methods in communication science worth 6 credits in the second seminar students pursue two elective modules and write a master s thesis 18 credits career prospects large organisations have to address varying and multiple groups of stakeholders this requires considered careful communication in corporate communication you will study organisation s communication management targeted to both internal and external stakeholders these might include nnnnn the track can lead to research policy or advisory functions in the corporate communications sector in communications consultancies or the communications departments of companies or institutions alumni typically find work in developing researching and managing communication strategy or account management degree the press public relations the government public affairs the investment community investor relations the employment market employees corporate communication is part of the master s programme in communication science upon completion of the programme you will be awarded the master of science msc degree in communication science the programme content and curriculum will be available media relations in english in due course please check our website for details www.graduateschoolofcommunication.nl many organisations rely in the most part on the media to portray and communicate their image this is why we pay particular attention in this track to the interaction between organisations and journalists this is alongside the proprietary media and 10 university of amsterdam graduate school of communication universiteit van amsterdam faculteit der naam

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prof edith smit professor in media and advertising `everyday we are influenced in various ways not only when we read the papers watch television and are told how wonderful a product is or how dangerous fireworks are but also on our way to college the hospital the shops or elsewhere when we see adverts pamphlets posters or other forms of persuasive communication how do we react do we really see them at all when is it effective and for whom these issues and others demonstrate the relevance of the track persuasive communication persuasive communication title master of science msc type of programme regular msc duration 1 year full-time 1½ 2 years part-time credits 60 ects language dutch and english thomas jespers msc graduate of persuasive communication `i chose persuasive communication while i was still studying commercial economics in utrecht i wanted to continue studying and was particularly interested in consumer behaviour and the way consumers could be influenced through communication messages the track persuasive communication made it possible to go deeper into the social-psychology theory in this area `the main difference with the bachelor s programmes is the greater amount of personal contact with the lecturers with the undergraduate programme you were one of 300 in a hall in the master you study the material with about 25 other students the personal guidance along with the lecturers enthusiasm for the subject matter makes the master s seminar quite special i found it fascinating to be taught by lecturers who are leading authorities in the discipline `in addition in contrast to the bachelor you are expected to maintain a critical view you own opinions and practical experiences are often part of papers you write and presentations you deliver because students consciously choose a particular area of study you work with committed scholars i found my fellow students to be driven critically minded and helpful i ve kept in touch with many of them curriculum the track persuasive communication addresses those communication processes intended to achieve specific persuasive goals for instance marketing communication health education and public information campaigns central in this track are the understanding of the dynamics that shape the uses and effects of mediated persuasive communication and the application of this knowledge in the design of communication campaigns and interventions as a student in persuasive communication you will study a variety of marketing and health communication theories and how to apply these theories to challenging problems of health behaviour advertising and branding we pay attention to media as carriers of persuasive messages in particular to new media developments which are characterised by the integration of persuasive messages and entertainment personalization and interactive digital and social media we also study the role of message appeals and social and personal influence theories and studies on determinants of consumer and health behaviour are essential in this track the curriculum of the track persuasive communication of the master s programme in communication science comprises two required core courses `message strategies in persuasive communication 12 credits and `media strategies in persuasive communication 12 credits furthermore students complete the course `research methods in communication science 6 credits during the first semester in the second semester students complete two elective modules of 6 credits each and a master s thesis 18 credits students must obtain a total of 60 credits to be awarded the degree fulfilment of all the requirements should take one year of full-time study career prospects the track aims to educate students in research management and consult within the field of advertising media public policy and health education typical activities of graduates are the development of communication strategies the evaluation of communication campaigns media and market research within for instance advertising agencies research companies government or nonprofit organisations degree persuasive communication is part of the master s programme in communication science upon completion of the programme you will therefore be awarded the master of science msc degree in communication science 11 university of amsterdam graduate school of communication universiteit van amsterdam faculteit der naam

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nadine `t zand msc graduate of political communication `my interest in political communication stems from the vital role it plays in politics its status in the domain means communication scientists can add real value the field is also very dynamic look at the use of twitter during the election or how politicians now use social media for example during the master there were opportunities to include your own insights there are a number of group assignments in addition to individual tasks what you get out of the master depends on how much energy you invest in it the programme is closely aligned with the profession making it easier to find relevant work political communication title master of science msc type of programme regular msc duration 1 year full-time credits 60 ects language english curriculum career prospects the track political communication addresses issues that are at the core of our democracies it provides a wide understanding of the role and significance of media of journalism and information for public opinion students of the track political communication study the following topics n the curriculum of the track political communication comprises two required core courses in the first semester of 12 credits each `journalism and the media and `citizens and the public opinion furthermore students will complete the course `research methods in communication science 6 credits during the first semester in the second semester you will complete two elective modules of 6 credits each and write a master s thesis 18 credits students must obtain a total of 60 credits to be awarded the degree the track provides the basis for editorial policy advisory and research positions in the media sector in government in politics in civil-society organisations and in the commercial world graduates can be found working as spokespersons information officers pr managers or communication consultants for numerous organisations ranging from local municipalities to the european union and from nongovernmental organisations to ministries in the dutch and international business world and at a wide variety of consultancies others start their own communication consultancies publishing companies or on-line service companies become documentary makers or journalists or conduct media market research for opinion pollsters or join a company or ministry as management trainees degree nnnn how do the interactions between non government actor politicians journalists and citizens take shape and what features and effects do they have how is the use of media changing for citizens looking for information who tries to influence the news how does the media s information service come into being what are the noticeable effects on public opinion and political behaviour prof claes de vreese professor in political communication `communication is central in all aspects of public life political parties ngos public administrators they are all part of a world in which the media and communication play crucial roles students of the political communication track are trained in the role of the media in politics the role of journalists and news organizations and the effects the media have on public opinion students work actively with the faculty in this track and they work on projects with many external partners important topics include the emergence of weblogs and citizen journalism increasing globalisation agenda-setting and the framing of socially relevant issues by stakeholders politicians spin doctors and the media political communication is part of the master s programme in communication science upon completion of the programme you will be awarded the master of science msc degree in communication science 12 university of amsterdam graduate school of communication universiteit van amsterdam faculteit der naam

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prof patti valkenburg professor in youth and media `i m delighted with this new track our research centre for youth and media has many experienced researchers and it is of course fantastic that they can pass on this knowledge to a new generation of experts you will learn by intensive personal coaching how to conduct media research with children and young adults up to the age of 25 you will also find out step by step how to construct a convincing case recommending how to reach this target audience these are essential skills for everyone who wants to work with young people youth and media title master of science msc type of programme regular msc duration 1 year full-time 1½ 2 years part-time credits 60 ects language dutch and english n many organisations in society including schools youth magazines and broadcasting companies have a genuine need for knowledge about youth and the media in addition advertisers internet providers consultancies and research agencies all have a significant interest in the subject children and young people are the most important users of new media technologies organisations feel increasingly compelled to tailor what they offer to reflect the preferences and needs of ever younger age groups this track trains students to meet this growing need for knowledge and advice about youth and media studying different ages n do these preferences have for the use of media and its effects what factors play a role in determining the success or failure of media and technologies e.g computer games advertising social media in specific age groups what are the most important effects of media on children and young people and why youth and media e.g in research and advertising agencies that focus on youth children s broadcasters and television programmes toys and games manufacturers and social institutions degree programme outline media psychology lies at the heart of this track this studies the experience role and impact of the media for a range of different groups and individuals within the track youth is seen as a broad period of development from early infancy age 0-2 until early adulthood age 18-25 during this period there are at least five age groups with different preferences and needs each group demands a specific approach if it is to be reached and convinced specific questions addressed are n the curriculum of the youth and media track of the master in communication science consists of two mandatory courses `youth as media consumers 12 credits and `clashing views on youth and the media 12 credits students also take the course `research methods in communication science 6 credits during the first semester in the second semester students complete two elective modules of 6 credits each selected from the courses offered by the graduate school of communication and write a master s thesis 18 credits career prospects youth and media is part of the master s programme in communication science upon completion of the programme you will therefore be awarded the master of science msc degree in communication science drs simone de droog phd candidate at ascor and youth and media simone de droog is currently reading for her phd at ascor looking into how marketing can be used intimulating healthy eating patterns in children `i had a clear goal in mind when i came to the uva during my bachelor s programme in communications management in utrecht i worked at a communication bureau where i did market research with youth and children i was interested to know why children made certain choices and what effect advertising can have on them i wanted to find out more and came across the book beeldschermkinderen screenkids by patti valkenburg inspired by the research being done at the uva i decided there and then to pursue a scientific career once i had the bachelor i took a verkorte bachelor in communication science i then followed the research master where i specialised in the area of youth and media how do the media preferences of children develop from infancy to adulthood and what consequences graduates in the youth and media track are experts in their field they know the most important developments and controversies in this area of research and the strengths and weaknesses of existing research they are capable of conducting empirical research with children and young people and understand the ethical aspects of conducting research among this age group they have the skills required to write a persuasive advisory report on how best to reach the specific age group the knowledge and skills acquired form a solid basis for countless academic positions in 13 university of amsterdam graduate school of communication universiteit van amsterdam faculteit der naam

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dr rens vliegenthart lecturer in the research master in communication science `teaching the research master is very enjoyable the bright and highly interested students really want to know everything keep asking questions challenge what teachers and fellow students say and are always willing to engage in discussions it is the way science should be additionally the small groups offer the opportunity to engage and really get to know the students often the papers they write form a starting point for interesting scientific publications or challenging phd-projects communication science research master title master of science msc type of programme research msc duration 2 years full-time credits 120 ects language english internship career prospects the research master in communication science is a two-year master s programme especially developed for students abroad and the netherlands with above-average aptitude and ambitions who are looking for an excellent programme in the conduct of academic-level communication science research the programme combines theoretical courses on the production uses and impact of information and mediated communication in informing persuading and entertaining audiences with a thorough training in the conduct of academic-level research in these domains curriculum each research master s student participates in one of ascor s research programmes for the duration of the programme this includes taking part in both research meetings and the ongoing research of senior staff members a research internship worth 12 credits as part of the methodology curriculum is optional theo araujo research master student `the opportunity to study at a university with a strong interna tional environment and ascor s reputation in communication research were the motivation to apply for the research master in communication science at the uva the wide variety of courses offered within the programme are up to date with the latest academic research and developments in the market and enriched by discussions both in and out of the classroom with lecturers researchers and other rm students the various nationalities help to deliver new perspectives all of this combined with individual tutoring the possibility to do an internship at ascor and the environment of studying in the amsterdam centre makes this course a great option for someone interested in communication science the programme consists of theoretical courses 30 credits research methodology courses including an optional research internship 60 credits participation in ascor s ongoing research 6 credits and a master s thesis in the format of an empirical research project 24 credits upon enrolment each student is assigned a senior ascor researcher as tutor tutors assist the students to design a study programme suited to their theoretical and research interests the tutor is usually also the student s thesis adviser upon successful completion of the programme students will receive a research msc in communication science excellent job opportunities in the netherlands and abroad await graduates of the research master in communication science moreover to date all graduates have without exception found employment as phd students or junior researchers in professional organizations the two-year master s programme qualifies graduates for jobs in which the conduct of high-level research is central the research master s programme in communication science provides a solid background for working in among others publishing broadcasting organisations new media companies international national and local government departments major corporations such as unilever and philips advertising and media agencies public opinion and market research companies or political interest groups the programme also qualifies students for semi governmental research organizations such as the social and cultural planning office of the netherlands scp and statistics netherlands cbs graduates are also in an excellent position to apply for phdpositions inside and outside of the netherlands it is possible to transfer to the research master in communication science from the regular master preferably this should take place during the first semester before you ve started on your thesis check admission and application information for more details about the process and application dates 14 university of amsterdam graduate school of communication universiteit van amsterdam faculteit der naam

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journalism media and globalisation title master of arts ma type of programme regular ma duration 2 years full-time credits 120 ects language english programme outline students are expected to obtain 30 credits in each of the four semesters of the degree totalling 120 credits n the two-year international erasmus mundus master s programme in journalism media and globalisation explores the practice and performance of journalism and the media in the context of a new environment shaped by globalisation modernisation commercialisation and professional developments the programme offers students a unique experience of studying in two european countries students spend the first year in aarhus denmark and then transfer to another university to specialize in one of four distinct areas of journalism media and politics university of amsterdam the netherlands war and conflict university of swansea uk business and finance journalism city university london uk or comparative and transcultural approaches university of hamburg germany there are additional opportunities for an exchange at berkeley sidney or santiago de chile this master is not intended to train students to become journalists rather it is aimed at those already working as professional journalists who wish to develop their ability to communicate in a nuanced and contemporary way about issues related to globalisation or to conduct journalism studies n n n semesters one two and three consist of taught modules semester one and two are based at the university of aarhus/danish school of journalism semester three is based at the university of amsterdam swansea university city university london or university of hamburg depending on the student s specialization semester four is also based at the university where the student specializes and concerns the writing of the master thesis under the supervision of a senior staff member the thesis must be submitted before the end of the fourth semester the contact regarding the application procedure is the centre for university studies in journalism cju aarhus university if you have any questions about the programme at the university of amsterdam specifically then please contact the uva s graduate school of communication by sending an e-mail to graduateschoolofcommunication@uva.nl erasmusmundus@hum.au.dk although maintaining high journalistic standards is important to the programme the focus is on reflection this enables the participants to better understand their roles as journalists and to be aware of how much leeway there is in terms of maintaining high journalistic standards students should come away from the programme with an awareness of both what they can achieve and what they cannot influence contact for more information about the master s programme participating universities application procedures and tuition fees please visit the programme s website www.mundusjournalism.com 15 university of amsterdam graduate school of communication universiteit van amsterdam faculteit der naam

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