The module seeks to provide students with:
1.Critical understanding of the strategic functions of communication for organisations and institutions.
2.Awareness of the positive and negative impact of strategic communication practices on society.
3.Knowledge of the interdisciplinary field of strategic communication.
4.Ability to critically analyse strategic communication phenomena in different social contexts.

(LO1) Students will be able to explain the different roles and functions of strategic communication in different types of organisation and institutions.

(LO2) Students will demonstrate critical understanding of the impact of strategic communication practices on society, including the ability to engage in discussions regarding the positive and negative influences of strategic communication on democracy, human relations and markets.

(LO3) Students will demonstrate knowledge of the main theories and models which constitute the interdisciplinary field of strategic communication research.

(LO4) Students will be able to analyse and evaluate strategic communication phenomena by utilising concepts and methods developed within the academic discipline.

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

(S2) Ability to analyse strategic communication phenomena by identifying and reconstructing contextual and textual elements.

(S3) Application of literacy, ability to produce clear, structured written work.

The following is an indication of the main topics discussed in the module:
- What is strategic Communication? Definitions, key concepts, relationship between strategy and communication.
- Strategic communication as an interdisciplinary field of research: historical overview.
- Approaches to strategic communication: functional/managerial and critical/rhetorical perspectives.
- Strategic communication between control and participation.
- Analysing strategic communication contexts.
- Analysing communication strategies.
- Evaluating communication strategies: reasonableness and effectiveness.
- Contexts of strategic communication: financial communication.
- Contexts of strategic communication: human rights and modern slavery communication.
- Contexts of strategic communication: crisis communication.

Teaching method: Lecture, workshops and seminars
Description: Every week, one asynchronous lecture will be offered to students as an introduction to the main topic of the week. Online workshops and on campus seminars will be aimed at reviewing and deepening the topics covered in the lecture and discuss them more in detail through the analysis of case studies and group activities. The online workshops will run for 5 weeks, the on-campus seminars will run for six weeks.
Schedule directed student hours: 33
Unscheduled directed student hours: 117
Attendance recorded: yes
Notes: Description of how self-directed learning hours may be used: readings, class preparation, group work.