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Historical and critical survey of communication medium (oral, print and digital cultures). Examination of social, economic, geographic, political and cultural forces shaping communication throughout time. The course addresses multiple trajectories in the history of communication, situating Western histories alongside non-Western, Indigenous, and Global South perspectives.

Introduction to academic work methods and to the first stages of research work in social communication, including the selection and use of document resources, bibliography management, critical reading, and the formulation of research questions. The course distinguishes between argumentation, theoretical, and empirical approaches, introduces qualitative and quantitative methods, and emphasizes reflexive practice and self-evaluation.

Definition of an organization. Usual approaches to communication within the organizations: functionalist, strategic, critical, and cultural. The change management issue. Impact of technology.

Constitutive elements of ethical behavior. Basic ethical criteria in media communication. Rights in communication situations. Deontology codes in use in several institutions. Case analysis in media praxis: persuasion communication and fiction.

Initiation to the language of communication. Main concepts. Most usual models in communication studies. Functions of communication. Communication scales from the personal interactions to mediated communication.

Initiation to news gathering. Verification procedures. Initiation to writing for electronic media. Initiation to news presentation. Initiation to radio and TV interview.

Rules in information writing. The course will clarify the links between the apprenticeship of press writing and press reading. The course will also present the press writing rules in a broader theoretical context. Basic techniques concerning news gathering, story processing and diffusion of information in written press. News, reportage and editorial. Lectures and praxis.

Definition of campaign elements, including objectives, target audience, channels, public environment, etc. Planning of strategic actions in various social, cultural and organizational contexts. Introduction to the development of a communication plan, evaluation methods and project management.

Main theories and techniques of analysis in the process of interpersonal communication. Conditions for successful interpersonal communication. Experiential learning in professional contexts as in other situations. Non-verbal communication.

Introduction to the political economy of the media and to the regulation of communication. Overview of major theoretical traditions (critical political economy, cultural industries, platform studies). Main models of media industry structure: ownership concentration, public and private funding, digital platforms with a focus on Canadian and international regulatory frameworks. Links between economic structures, political power and information production.

Initiation to the use of basic tools required for successful strategic communications. Research and analysis tools. Writing messages and integrating them to images, photographs and video. Press and media relations. Exhibits and promotional items. Use of social media.

Theories on the nature and the psychological, social and cultural influence of mediated communication. Introduction to the understanding of “magic ball” theories, of selective influence, of social differentiation, of indirect influence, of social organization, of the social construction of reality, etc.

Introduction to the principles of marketing and their application to influencing behaviour for social good. Examines core concepts such as segmentation, social behaviour, and strategic communication. The course considers the use of these techniques to address public health, environmental, and social issues. It addresses the ethical dimensions and limitations of social marketing. Through case studies, students assess the effectiveness of behaviour-change initiatives. Upon completion, students will be able to apply marketing frameworks to contemporary social issues.

Thematic course with variable content addressing contemporary issues related to democracy, communication rights and political action. Topics may include the public sphere, deliberation, disinformation, polarization, political participation, freedom of expression and communication rights. Emphasis on critical analysis of media artefacts and communication practises across different political regimes, applying research methods in communication (data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation). Part of the Democracy, Rights and Political Action thematic area.

Professional Ethics in Communication Overview of approaches to professional ethics covering different subject areas of social communications including: news journalism, public relations, advertising and marketing. Ethical codes and regulation. Case studies.

Introduction to theoretical approaches in postcolonial and decolonial communication. Analysis of the role of media in the reproduction and contestation of racial and colonial inequalities. Analysis of power relations, media representations, dominant narratives, and discourses through critical frameworks drawn from decolonial, postcolonial, Indigenous, Black and Global South studies. Introduction to antiracist and decolonial communication practices.

Fundamentals of multimodal storytelling across visual and audio media platforms. From concept development to production and distribution: ideation, scriptwriting, storyboarding and multiplatform strategy. Emphasis on ethics and representation in media creation.

Different theories and techniques to analyze content. Critical study of different types of messages: information, entertainment, advertising, etc.

In depth presentation of several theories. Particularly on the following: technologies and their impacts; networks and systems; culture and symbolism; conflicts and ideologies; critical theories; contributions from neurosciences.

Evolution and future of great media. Commercial logic and business models. Understanding media issues in specific social contexts. National media reality and globalization.

History and basic models of public relations. Main approaches, tools, audiences, work environment. Management, marketing, advertising, public affairs. Case studies.