BE490-7-SP-CO:
Corporate Communications
PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
2023/24
Essex Business School
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Inactive
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
20
31 March 2021
Requisites for this module
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Communications and Public Relations are now firmly at the heart of strategic organisational planning. Organisations use a range of communications to get noticed, to change opinions, and pass on vital information that helps us to make decisions about what we consume, and about issues that affect our lives; health, welfare, education, and government.
Corporate Communications is a fast-growing industry; the numbers of Communications Officers now match journalists in the UK. Businesses, charities, public bodies, community groups and activists all rely on effective communications to get their message to their audiences.
Our Corporate Communications module teaches you about the components of an effective communications campaign, combining theory with the practical skills that organisations require in order to communicate persuasively. We look at techniques for raising awareness, listening to stakeholders and influencing ethical policies. We also explore the ever-changing media landscape while critically examining the impact of communications and public relations on society.
Mixing theory and practice we work together to plan campaigns, dissect case studies, and analyse topical examples. You will hone your presentation skills, learn to see communications as a strategic activity, and get to know the essential toolkit.
1. To provide critical understanding of the issues central to contemporary
2. To identify the mechanisms used by corporate communications professionals for creating and managing strategic campaigns
3. To provide critical understanding of the organisation and impact of corporate communications
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. Recognise and evaluate the components of a Corporate Communications plan
2. Critically understand and evaluate the key building blocks global organisations use in creating, distributing and managing public communication campaigns
3. Apply critical thinking to professional scenarios to further the effectiveness and quality of public relations that is practiced in industry
This module aims to provide an in-depth understanding of key theories and principles of corporate communications, and its implications for organizations and society, while combining theory and practice to show students the ways in which corporate communication is created, managed and distributed.
Skills for Your Professional Life (Transferable Skills)
After completing this module students should have:
1. Developed their digital/technical fluency through the use and application of Microsoft Office software package and Encore database.
2. Enhanced their written communication skills through producing discursive coursework assignments
3. Improved their collaborative and team working skills by taking part in group work
4. Enhanced their research skills through researching two coursework assignments.
5. Recognised the relevance and importance of corporate communications theory in the current global landscape.
The module delivery is based on 3 hour sessions combining lecture and class per week; ten one hour lectures and ten two hour interactive seminars. Sessions will be devoted to probing, extending and applying the material in the readings. It is the students’ responsibility to be prepared for each session as detailed in the module handbook. A student will benefit from belonging to a “study group” that meets and prepares for each session before class. Students are expected to contribute to class discussions. To do well, they should actively participate in presentations and class discussions, which means making well supported, cogent comments and criticisms about the concepts and analyses that are being presented.
Students are required:
• To read the appropriate reading materials for each session prior to the class.
• To prepare for group or individual presentations
• To attend the sessions.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Louise Nash, email: louisen@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Louise Nash
ebspgtad@essex.ac.uk
No
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
Of 30 hours, 30 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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