Interactive Syllabus

Course description

Welcome to our course! 😊 This innovative course, part of the Jean Monnet Chair on EU Digital Diplomacy at Masaryk University, explores the transformative role of digital technologies in contemporary diplomacy, with a particular focus on the EU as a global actor. In an era of rapid digitalization, diplomacy has expanded beyond traditional practices to include social media campaigns and digital communication strategies. This course equips students with the knowledge and analytical skills to understand the EU’s digital diplomacy efforts, focusing on its strategies for engaging with global audiences, responding to crises, and promoting shared values. The course examines several key themes, including 1) the evolution of diplomacy in the digital age, 2) the EU’s use of digital tools to shape global perceptions and foster international partnerships, 3) case studies on the EU’s digital engagement in key issues and events such as the War in Ukraine or climate summits and 4) critical analysis of the EU’s challenges in addressing disinformation, improving transparency, and enhancing its legitimacy through digital communication. Students will benefit from several unique course highlights. First, modern and interactive learning methods will be used to ensure real-time engagement during lectures and discussions. Second, the course offers a multidisciplinary perspective on the intersection of diplomacy, politics, international relations, EU studies and communication. Third, it emphasizes real-world relevance by connecting cutting-edge research and various practical examples, bridging theory and practice in EU digital diplomacy. Fourth, it offers a global scope by exploring how the EU’s digital diplomacy strategies influence and are influenced by global trends, including interactions with non-EU countries. Finally, it provides career connections by offering insights into potential career paths in EU digital diplomacy through inspiring guest lectures by various high-profile guests. This course is not just about learning - it is about preparing for the future. Whether you are passionate about diplomacy, communication or understanding how the EU shapes the world, this course is your gateway to engaging with the most pressing global challenges in a digital era. I am sooooo happy to have you on board! 😊

Teaching methods

Classes comprise lectures (first 50 minutes) and seminars (second 50 minutes). The course adopts diverse assessments methods and a balanced mix of individual and collective assignments, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of both personal insights and collaborative skills. Students will engage with innovative assignments, such as creating podcasts or developing policy-driven projects, which allow them to explore real-world applications of digital diplomacy. Interactive teaching methods are central to the course, fostering an engaging and dynamic learning environment. These include approaches such as quizzes, World Cafés, Gallery Walk Seminars, Speed Dating Discussions, MemeFests, Policy Hackathons, Scenario Planning Workshops and Reading Relays. This multifaceted approach creates a vibrant and stimulating learning journey, blending innovative methods that inspire curiosity, foster creativity, and mirror the dynamic realities of digital diplomacy in the modern world.

The course emphasizes continuous engagement and evaluation throughout the semester rather than the traditional grand finale of panic. :-) Continuous engagement and evaluation throughout the semester offers multiple advantages. It provides students with consistent feedback, promoting sustained involvement with the materials and enhancing overall comprehension. It also keeps the pressure low, the learning steady, and the caffeine consumption at reasonable levels. :-)

Learning outcomes

By completing this course, students will acquire a comprehensive understanding of how digital tools and social media have transformed the practice of diplomacy, with a particular focus on the European Union’s role as a global actor. They will be able to critically analyze the EU’s use of digital tools, such as social media, to engage with diverse audiences and shape global perceptions. Students will develop the ability to apply theoretical concepts to various empirical case studies, gaining practical insights into how the EU leverages digital diplomacy. Through interactive and engaging activities, they will also improve their capacity for effective communication and collaboration. Summing up, students will be equipped with both the knowledge and the practical skills needed to navigate, and contribute to, the evolving field of digital diplomacy.

Requirements for successful completion of the course

1. Group project: Presentation for a policy hackathon

Your group’s task is to address a pressing issue in EU communication: the perceived distance between the EU and its citizens. Many people in EU member states struggle to identify with the EU, seeing it as a distant and bureaucratic institution. This lack of connection weakens public engagement and trust. Your mission is to propose innovative, actionable solutions to bridge this gap and make the EU feel closer, more relatable, and relevant to its citizens.
There will be 9 group projects in total; each student will participate in one project only. The number of people in each group will be 4.
Length: 10 slides. The presentation will be based on relevant sources that the students will find themselves and must include one slide with the sources.
Submission deadline: 19 March 2025 to the appropriate homework vault (Odevzdávárna)
All groups will present their presentations during a policy hackathon. Distribution of work within the groups is entirely up to you; however, your group must ensure that at least one member is present to deliver the presentation during the policy hackathon on 20 March 2025.
The length of the presentation mustn’t exceed 5 minutes. This constraint is to encourage concise, focused, and impactful delivery of content.
Distribution into the groups: How you form groups is entirely up to you. Each group will subscribe to a designated group slot (e.g., Group 1, Group 2, Group 3) via IS (Topic Lists) The process will commence on 27 February 2025 at 6 pm and finish on 7 March 2025.
Maximum number of points: 10.

2. Individual project 1: Research design

Your task is to develop a concise and well-structured research design focused on a specific and narrow research puzzle within the field of EU digital communication. This assignment is an opportunity to explore a research topic in depth and could serve as a starting point for a future thesis, dissertation, or academic article.
Length: 1,200 words (approximately 3 pages)
Your research design should include the following components. Typically, it should have with a precise title that clearly reflects the focus of your research. This should be followed by a clear articulation of the research puzzle and research question that your study aims to address. Ensure that your research question is narrow and specific, providing a focused lens for your entire project. Next, you should briefly explain the gap in the literature that your research seeks to fill. This involves identifying what has not been sufficiently explored in existing research and why addressing this gap is important and relevant. After defining the gap, proceed to the theoretical framework. Here, I recommend you identify and describe the key theories or concepts that will guide your study. For the methodology, describe the research methods you intend to use and provide a clear rationale for their suitability. Typically, this should include an explanation of the type of data you plan to collect, how you will collect it, and why these methods are appropriate for addressing your research question. You also need to include a list of academic sources at the end and provide in-text references where appropriate.
Submission deadline: 6 April 2025 to the appropriate homework vault (Odevzdávárna)
Maximum number of points: 10.

3. Individual project 2: Podcast or vlog

What’s the biggest challenge the EU will need to tackle in its digital diplomacy efforts over the next five years? Explore this future challenge and share your thoughts.
Students can choose between a vlog or a podcast. This is to encourage students to submit assignments also in unique, creative and non-traditional ways. I believe that in a world where students are increasingly challenged to think outside the box, they should have an opportunity to submit assignments that challenge them.
The vlog/podcast is 5 minutes maximum.
The opinion piece is worth a maximum of 10 points.
Submission deadline: 16 April 2025 to the appropriate homework vault (Odevzdávárna)
Maximum number of points: 10.

4. Participation in seminars

Seminar attendance is mandatory and will be taken by a sign-in sheet. Maximum of three seminar absences is allowed. Participation in seminars is an essential requirement for successfully completing the course. Failure to meet this requirement will result in an automatic failure of the entire course, regardless of performance in other assignments.
Students are also expected to thoroughly comprehend the readings designated for each class session. These materials form the foundation of our discussions and debates. A deep understanding of these texts will not only enhance individual learning but will also contribute to richer, more informed class interactions.
Number of points: 10.