Political Communication Concentration
For students interested in specialising in political communication, the combination of Brussels (the Capital of Europe) and Vesalius College provide the ideal combination. With Brussels being home to thousands of lobbyists and hundreds of political representations, Vesalius College students are able to attend conferences and news briefings in the headquarters of the EU, NATO and other inter-governmental organisations and have the opportunity to take an internship in political institutions through the Vesalius College Internship Programme (VIP).
Specialised Courses
In addition to the Major Requirement courses Introduction to Mass Communication, Political Communication and Rhetoric, students who choose to take a concentration on Political Communication should take the following three Major Electives:
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.
International Communication - CMM 322E
Introduces the historical context and examines different approaches to international communication from the modernisation and cultural imperialism theories to cultural studies and critical political economy perspectives. The course also examines the theories and problems related to the international function of the news media and how international public diplomacy and propaganda operate.
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 even influence the decisions of the European Union.
Students also choose a fourth course from the following list:
- CMM 261E: Mass Media and Communication Policies in Europe
- POL 212E: Introduction to International Relations
- POL 251E: History of Political Thought (from Machiavelli to Marx)
- POL 252E: Contemporary Political Debates
- POL 311E: International Political Economy
- POL 313E: Organisations in Globalization
- POL 314E: The United Nations and Global Governance
- POL 315E: Model United Nations (MUN) Preparatory Course
- POL 317E: Peace and Security Studies
- POL 341E: International Politics of Development
- POL 342E: Nationalism, Ethnicity and Regional Conflict
- POL 361E: Comparative Public Policy