Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Political Communication of the European Union
Course Code
SZF_180
Branch of Science
International Politics; Political science
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Business Management; Communication Science; Health Management; Information and Communication Science; Law; Management Science; Marketing and Advertising; Medicine; Nursing Science; Pedagogy; Person and Property Defence; Political Science; Psychology; Public Health; Social Anthropology; Social Welfare and Social Work; Sociology
LQF
All Levels
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Beāte Livdanska
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema Street 16, Riga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
Familiarise students with the fundamental principles of political communication in the European Union – the normative and empirical aspects.
Preliminary Knowledge
To successfully complete the study course, students must have basic knowledge about the EU (how institutional framework operates, decision making procedures etc.)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Be familiar with the history of the establishment and administration of the European Union, EU institutions, EU decision-making process, know patterns of public participation in the EU decision-making process and institutions.
Skills
1.Analytical abilities to compare and critically evaluate the policy of the European Union and the role of society in it in execution.
Competences
1.Ability to combine critical thinking, knowledge of political processes, European Union administration processes and communication processes.
Individual work and tests
Example of communication • Exam • Essay
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Example of communication |
-
|
10 points
|
Students, dividing into pairs, choose one EU institution and make a presentation on how it would implement communication with EU citizens in the context of a specific issue (optional). |
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Exam |
-
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10 points
|
|
Final test about gained knowledge in the study course. |
||
|
2.
Essay |
-
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10 points
|
|
Choose one EU institution or agency and describe its communication practices on 1 page. |
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 2
-
Lecture
|
Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
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Study room
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2
|
Topics
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Basics of EU political communication
Description
Getting to know political communication specifically within the EU framework: the most important stopping points |
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Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
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The role of EU institutions in the communication
Description
An insight into the role of the EU's institutional framework in communication is provided. Interaction of different institutions. |
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Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
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EU and the Media: internal communication
Description
The role of the media in ensuring EU communication: opportunities and risks |
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Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
The EU and media: extrenal communication
Description
Possibilities and limitations of the media in ensuring the EU's foreign policy, especially in promoting communication with countries outside the circle of EU member states. |
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Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
The role of the EU and Member States in communication
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Communication of MEPs with the public
Description
During the lecture, the good and bad practices applied in the communication of certain EP politicians will be discussed |
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Class/Seminar
|
Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Digitization and the impact of artificial intelligence
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-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
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The impact of disinformation and fake news on EU communication: a future challenge
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
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EU communication during crises
Description
Specific case examples to be considered: the eurozone crisis, the migration issue, COVID19 and Russia's war in Ukraine. |
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Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Simulation (lesson in the EU house): the role of the EP office and the EC representation in Latvia in communication
Description
A workshop is planned in the EU house.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Simulation (lesson in the EU house): the role of the EP office and the EC representation in Latvia in communication
Description
Practical class in the EU house: simulation play-out and group work |
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Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Future perspectives and challenges of the EU political communication
Description
We discuss what we have learned in previous lessons in order to come to a conclusion where EU communication is going: are changes necessary? Is the EU able to effectively respond to the political challenges of the modern era? |
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
24 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Chaban, N., & Holland, M. (2014). Communicating Europe in Times of Crisis: External Perceptions of the European Union. Palgrave Macmillan.Suitable for English stream
2.
European Commission (2022). How to Communicate Europe. ES oficiālais ziņojums.Suitable for English stream
3.
Nugent, N. (2020). The Government and Politics of the European Union. Palgrave Macmillan.Suitable for English stream
4.
Dinan, D. (2021). Europe Recast: A History of European Union. Palgrave Macmillan.Suitable for English stream
5.
Rauh, C. (2022). "Clear messages to the European public? The language of European Commission press releases 1985–2020". Journal of European Integration.Suitable for English stream
6.
Aalberts, C. (2016). The five principles of European political communication. In Governance and Security Issues of the European Union: Challenges Ahead (pp. 93–107).Suitable for English stream
7.
Castanho Silva B, Proksch S-O. (2022). "Politicians unleashed? Political communication on Twitter and in parliament in Western Europe". Political Science Research and Methods.10(4):776-792.Suitable for English stream
Other Information Sources
1.
Jiménez Alcarria, F., Tuñón Navarro, J. (2024). "Stakeholders and impact (engagement) in EU digital communication strategies during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign". Humanit Soc Sci Commun 11, 1325.Suitable for English stream
2.
Leidecker-Sandmann, M., & Eugster, B. (2022). Communicating Political Positions on European Issues: A Comparison of Parties and Newspapers in Seven Countries. Political Studies Review, 20(1), 62-82.Suitable for English stream
3.
Plavec. J.G., & Pfetsch, B. (2023). "Europeanised Attitudes, Nationalised Communication? Evidence on the Patterns behind Political Communication Output in Brussels". Journal. Media.Suitable for English stream