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2025/2026  KAN-CKOMO2303U  Political Communication and Public Affairs

English Title
Political Communication and Public Affairs

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 15 ECTS
Type Mandatory (also offered as elective)
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for Digitalisation, Technology and Communication
Course coordinator
  • Oana Brindusa Albu - Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC)
Main academic disciplines
  • Communication
  • Management
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 06-02-2025

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • Identify key concepts, frameworks and theories related to politics, public affairs, and communication
  • Be able to identify the manifold challenges associated with politics, public affairs, and communication
  • Be able to use the concepts, frameworks and theories discussed to develop both strategic and tactical recommendations for different institutions, corporations and NGOs
  • Be able to discuss how technological advancements and political trends impact different institutions, corporations and NGOs
  • Be able to situate public affairs in the strategic communicator’s toolkit
Prerequisites for registering for the exam (activities during the teaching period)
Number of compulsory activities which must be approved (see section 13 of the Programme Regulations): 2
Compulsory home assignments
An exam paper outline (max. 3 pages + references) in the first half of the course, containing a self selected case, a research question, potential data set, upon which students receive feedback

Oral presentations etc.
A work in progress oral presentation (mid-course), 10 minutes, 5 slides max, where students are expected to have incorporated feedback and collect and analyzed data
Examination
Political Communication and Public Affairs:
Exam ECTS 15
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 20 pages
Assignment type Written assignment
Release of assignment Subject chosen by students themselves, see guidelines if any
Duration Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Summer
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

The purpose of the course is threefold:

 

  • (i) to give students concepts and tools for analyzing the political dimensions of complex contemporary problems
  • (ii) to equip students with knowledge needed to analyze public affairs in a global landscape and develop solutions to social problems
  • (iii) to give students the tools needed for understanding and managing the digitalization and datafication of communication within and across organizations.

 

Specifically, the course gives insights into new sociological theories of politics and communication, and equips students to understand the possibilities, limits and ambiguities in political processes.

 

The course will address new developments in public affairs literature in order to observe how present challenges are articulated and influenced by actors in the global sphere and equip students to engage in research-based policy design and delivery, stakeholder identification, crisis management in a digital context, data ethics, strategic thinking, and effective presentation of data.

 

The course is structured based on three analytical frameworks: communication, types of digital media, and platforms and affordances.

 
Research-based teaching
CBS’ programmes and teaching are research-based. The following types of research-based knowledge and research-like activities are included in this course:
Research-based knowledge
  • Classic and basic theory
  • New theory
  • Teacher’s own research
  • Methodology
Research-like activities
  • Development of research questions
  • Data collection
  • Analysis
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
  • Peer review including Peer-to-peer
Description of the teaching methods
The students learn to be critical but also to be constructive when collaborating with other students within the group and across groups. 

The CBS Nordic Nine principles are incorporated in course pedagogics through transformative online individual and group learning activities. The class sessions and themes concern sustainability and responsible management and communication in multinational corporations, public institutions and NGOs. We will critically investigate their communication policies and team collaboration in creating inclusive and fair societies across the world.
Feedback during the teaching period
Feedback activity from the teacher and peer-to-peer as well as feedback on group deliveries will take place in each session.
Student workload
Lectures and exercises 60 hours
Preparation and exam 352 hours
Total 412 hours
Expected literature

A list of academic articles and book chapters will be available at the start of the course.
Last updated on 06-02-2025