The module aims at providing students with:
•advanced knowledge of the multidisciplinary study of strategic communication and familiarity with crucial concepts in fields such as public relations and corporate communication, (strategic) management, discourse studies, marketing and advertising.
•critical understanding of the functions and impact of strategic communication in contemporary organisations, institutions and society at large.
•familiarity with the different contexts of strategic communication (e.g. financial communication, managerial communication, crisis communication, sustainability communication, etc.).
•ability to analyse strategic communication contexts by identifying goals, audiences-stakeholders and institutional constraints within different communicative situations.

(LO1) Students will acquire advanced knowledge of the multidisciplinary study of strategic communication and gain familiarity with crucial concepts in fields such as public relations and corporate communication, (strategic) management, discourse studies, marketing and advertising.

(LO2) Students will demonstrate critical understanding of the functions and impact of strategic communication in contemporary organisations, institutions and society at large.

(LO3) Student will demonstrate familiarity with the different contexts of strategic communication (e.g. financial communication, managerial communication, crisis communication, sustainability communication).

(LO4) Students will be able to critically examine and explain strategic communication issues and cases through a rigorous application of academic concepts and methods.

(S1) Use of relevant theories for the critical understanding of strategic communication processes.

(S2) Ability to analyse and critically assess strategic communication phenomena.

(S3) Communication skills including clarifying and explaining concepts, defending and justifying opinions, anticipating and addressing critical questions.

(S4) Critical thinking and analysis, including justifying interpretation and evaluation of strategic communication phenomena, constructing rigorous and convincing arguments.

The following is an indicative syllabus of the module:
PART 1: Theory and Concepts
• Strategic Communication: definitions and key notions
• The interdisciplinary field of strategic communication, critical and functional perspectives
• The strategic and tactical dimensions of corporate communication
• Communication theory for strategic communication
• The context of strategic communication
• Stakeholders, audiences and publics

PART 2 : Domains and Contexts*
• Crisis Communication (trust, reputation, image)
• Strategic financial communication
• Entrepreneurship communication (e.g. crowdfunding campaigns)
• Strategic communication about human rights, sustainability, and modern slavery
• Strategic communication and Big Data
* The list of domains and contexts can vary to reflect current topical issues and debates, ongoing research within the department a nd staff expertise.

Summary of Learning and Teaching Methods:
Teaching method: LECTURE AND SEMINAR
Description: WEEKLY 2 HR LECTURE AND 1HR SEMINAR
This activity may be online or on campus and could be subject to changes.
Schedule directed student hours: 33
Unscheduled directed student hours: 267
Attendance recorded: YES
Notes:
Description of how self-directed learning hours may be used: reading module learning materials (key and further reading, researching, set seminar tasks, assignment preparation)