European Communication Studies Concentration
Home of the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of the EU, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and dozens of European media associations, Brussels (“The Capital of Europe”) is without a doubt the best place to study European Communication. Students attend conferences and news briefings in the headquarters of the EU, media and communication lobbies and other political bodies and have the opportunity to do internships in political institutions and Euro-wide media associations through the Vesalius Internship Programme (VIP).
Specialised Courses
In addition to the Major Requirement courses Introduction to Mass Communication, International Communication and Political Communication, students who choose to take a concentration on European Communication Studies can take the following three Major Electives to further specialise in European Communications:
Mass Media and Communication Policies in Europe - CMM 261E
Provides students with a comprehensive understanding of media policies in Europe and the European Union. Examines the changing nature of the relationship of media and European societies from the post-war period until the present. Systematically analyses several distinctive features of different media to examine the extent to which distinctly European media strategies and philosophical approaches exist, in spite of widespread globalisation in the communication industry.
eGovernance & ICT Policies in the EU - CMM 321E
Examines the impact of new Information and Communications Technologies on society with a focus on the political impact of the Internet and the changes this has encouraged in our understanding of democracy. Discusses in detail the impact of the Internet on changing patterns and modes of governance, particularly in the European Union. Examines and critically analyses the changing role of government in terms of Communications Policies and focuses on the role of public administrations in communicating with citizens and civil society in general.
Lobbying in the EU - CMM 346E
With Brussels the home of 1,400 lobbying organisations employing 15,000 public affairs specialists whose task is to facilitate dialogue between private or public organisations and the decision-makers of the European Union, this course focuses on the methods lobbyists use within these organisations to follow, analyse and influence the decisions of the European Union.
Students also choose a fourth course from the following list:
- CMM 352E: International Reporting in Brussels
- POL 231E: Introduction to the European Union
- POL 332E: Dilemmas of European Integration
- POL 333E: Policies in the European Union