Competitive Comm Strategies

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Juris Doctor

This course will examine competitive communication strategies as they pertain to national security and foreign policy, with a special focus on connecting theory with practice. The U.S. government traditionally uses foreign public engagement and information activities to build global networks and influence foreign public opinion in support of U.S. foreign policy goals. This course incorporates multi-disciplinary scholarship to inform student understanding of the practical use of competitive communication strategies to achieve goals. Geared toward practitioners, this course focuses on understanding the contemporary media ecology, a complex information environment characterized by rapidly evolving information communication technologies, conflicting identity issues, and communication trends exploited by state and non-state actors alike; understanding the range of information/public diplomacy tools available and the logic underpinning their use; and effectively employing such tools to communicate strategically in an era of strategic competition. In addition to covering U.S. government practices, the course will examine how other state and non-state actors use various tools to understand cultures, attitudes and behavior; build and manage relationships; and influence opinions and actions to advance their interests and values. Course Learning Objectives: By the end of the course, students will be able to: • understand the role of competitive communication strategies in advancing objectives; • analyze the contemporary media ecology and its influence on public opinion of specific audiences; • apply information/public diplomacy tools to advance policies/issues; • consider ways to measure impact on public opinion; • improve individual executive communication abilities.