Communication theory and strategy
Information from the course leader
The course will start on Tuesday, 2 November, 9.00am in Room X, Ulls Hus.
12 Oct 2021: We have now added rooms for the first few weeks to the uploaded schedule and made tiny amendments in CW7. We may still remove some activity in CW3. You are however expected to engage with the provided literature when there are no scheduled course activities. — Malte, Lars, and Fanny
4 Oct 2021: The schedule has now been uploaded. It is preliminary and a may slightly change; e.g. we might move some activities online. But if you have any other commitments you may plan your time around this preliminary schedule. In a wide browser window you can find the schedule on the right side, in a phone or a narrow window on the bottom of the page. The course will start on Tuesday, 2 November, 9.00am in Room X, Ulls Hus. If you have any questions until then, please get in touch via the contact details provided.We will let you know via this channel, once the Canvas page is available, and if there are any other things you need to know before the course start. We are looking forward to meet you all! — Malte, Lars, and Fanny
9 Sep 2021: Hej! We have uploaded the preliminary reading list today. There are no books students need to acquire for this course. The schedule will be published 4 weeks before the course start, by around 5 Oct 2021. If you have any questions until then, please get in touch via the contact details provided on the side. We hope you are looking forward to the course as much as we do! — Malte, Lars, and Fanny
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
MX0154-20149 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
MX0154 Communication theory and strategy, 15.0 Credits
Kommunikationsteori och strategiSubjects
Environmental Science Environmental scienceEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
Title | Credits | Code |
---|---|---|
Communication theory review | 7.5 | 0102 |
Communication strategy | 7.5 | 0103 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has second-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1F)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
120 credits on basic level. Knowledge equivalent to 5 credits communication theory. English 6.Objectives
The aim is that the students should be able to recognize and orient themselves among various classical communication theories. The students should be able to critically reflect on these traditions occurrence in today’s most common communication strategies. The students should also be able to create a communication strategy.
Upon completion of the course, the student shall be able to:
Compare different communication theories and account for differences in how communication is understood according to the theories
Explain how different communication theories make sense of power, agency and structure
Describe how different communication theories set the conditions for communication strategies
Demonstrate the ability to plan communication strategies in the context of natural resource management
Critically reflect on how different views on communication in communication strategies connects to issues of power, ethics and democracy
Content
The studies are conducted through literature studies, lectures and discussions in literature seminars. Students write two essays, one of which should be a practical review of how a communication strategy is created. Students are also conducting an interview with a practitioner and presents it in a short text and in front of the other students.
The course covers a variety of classical communication theories and current communication strategies. Theoretical traditions involved are the rhetorical, the phenomenological, the critical, the cybernetic and the socio-cultural, but other traditions may occur. Communication strategies dealt with are the classic information-oriented, psychological and participatory models.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
Approved analysis of text using communication theory.
Approved communication strategy.
Approved account of the interview with practitioners.
- If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
- The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
- If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
- For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Additional information
The requisite 5 hp in communication theory is reached for example if the student have studied communication theory and democracy or the role of communication in society or collaboration and communication. Courses at SLU that provide this prior knowledge: MX0115 Introduction to environmental communication - Society, social interaction and communicative skills, 15.0 credits, MX0148 Conflict, democracy and facilitation, 15.0 credits, or MX0149 Engaging critically with environmental governance practices, 15.0 credits.Responsible department
Department of Urban and Rural Development
Further information
Litterature list
- Literature Mx0154 Communication theory and strategy September 9th 2021 [Literature Mx0154 Communication theory and strategy September 9th 2021] (https://slunik.slu.se/kursfiler/MX0154/20149.2122/01_Reading_List_MX0154.pdf)