#GetConnected: interactive communication in the global village

The programme #GetConnected has a strong focus on communication and PR, networks and interactive media. The programme focuses on project based learning and expects students to take initiative and work independently. The project is supported by lectures and guest lectures, which give you the tools to solve different challenges during the semester.

You will form a team together with Dutch and other international students. We ensure that different fields of knowledge come together in each group. With this team you set up a PR agency whose most important client is an association that is in need of extra support in terms of building a stronger community of volunteers. The Dutch students will connect to an association before the start of the programme, the team as a whole will function as consultants who apply the knowledge gained during class.

Pressure Cookers

This knowledge will be assembled in an eBook. Consider this eBook as a kind of handbook how to build or strengthen the community of volunteers. The topics of the eBook are already defined, your task is to apply the theory to the case you are working on for your client, e.g. a local football club

However we don’t just want you to reproduce theories, we also want you to implement them. Think of organising a sponsor run for a football club to raise money and involvement.

In addition you will be asked to implement your insights into several challenging assignments for a diverse range of clients. These so called Pressure Cookers will force you to come up with realistic and tangible solutions within a (very) short time frame. If realisable, some of these Pressure Cookers will be organised on external locations.

Fieldtrip

To experience how international organisations in the field of PR work, we will also take you on a fieldtrip to London. Next to visits to inspiring and innovative agencies and organisations, we will have plenty of time to get to know this amazing city.

The programme #GetConnected is divided into four modules:

Modules The Network Society (6ECTS) and Interactive Communication in Networks (6 ECTS)

These modules are highly interactive and demand driven and form the theoretical part of the programme. These modules appeal to the critical and research attitude of students. Every week a topic linked to the overall theme of the module is discussed. You will be working on topics as the basics of the network theory, the psychology of networking, stakeholder analysis and the art of listening. You define together with your fellow students what you want (and need) to learn about this topic. In the first meeting the teacher describes briefly one topic. You will brainstorm what you already know about and activate existing knowledge. Together with the other students you will formulate all the questions you have to completely understand this topic. You explore literature and other sources you find relevant to answer the questions The result is a weekly chapter in your eBook in which you ‘translate’ the scientifical theory to your target audience: the association.

Module Skills (3 ECTS)

Different workshops for different themes will be organized, all meant to develop skills you need to successfully participate in this programme. Think of designing, English and intercultural awareness.

Module The Connecting Consultants (15 ECTS)

Together with 3-4 students you form a Dream Team, (different from your agency so you will all get to know each other) you will work in several pressure-cooker sessions. In a short period of time (half a day till two days) you work on realistic assignments from organisations related to the topics of the other three modules. You will visit various innovative organizations and you will participate in an international educational trip to London. During one of the assignments you will also be asked to contribute to a research project of one of the teachers.

Module The Network Society and Interactive Communication in Networks

These modules are highly interactive and demand driven. Both modules appeal to the critical and research attitude of students. You define together with your fellow students what you want (and need) to learn about interactive communication in the network society. Students form small groups of four people. Every week the teams work on one topic. In the first meeting the teacher describes briefly one topic. You will brainstorm what you already know about this topic and activate existing knowledge. Together with the other students you formulate all the questions you have to completely understand this topic. The students explore literature and other sources they find relevant to answer their questions. In the second meeting the teacher helps the students to structure all the information they’ve gathered. Together they draw the complete picture of the topic. Afterwards a lecturer or guest lecturer shares his or her views on the topic. In the lecture the outcome of the students will be put in context.

Module Skills

Different workshops for different themes will be organized. All meant to support the writing of the Ebook.

Module The Connecting Consultants 

Together with 3-4 students you work in several pressure cooker sessions. In a short period of time you work on realistic assignments of organizations related to the topics of the other three modules. You will visit various innovative organizations and you participate in an international educational trip.

Overall learning goals

1. 1. You advise organisations how to strategically connect with their environment with regards to the changing role of the PR professional.
2. You develop and apply tools and skills to connect an organisation.
3. You learn to co-operate in an international multidisciplinary environment.

Learning goals module Network Society

1. You explain the influence of social media and digital networks on PR.
2. You are able to construct a vision on the consequences of the network society on PR.
3. You explain from a psychological point of view why people (want to) engage in (digital) networks.
4. You explain the value of sensor technologies to enhance the engagement within communities.
5. You construct a view on how to apply the principles of influence from Cialdini to leverage social media tools.
6. You unravel the functioning and dissemination of information in social networks.
7. You are able to write a relevant and well argumented Ebook regarding the changing role of the PR professional in the network society.

Learning goals module Interactive Communication in Networks

1. You are able to define how you can engage with stakeholders who are part of a social network.
2. You are able to explain the meaning and value of listening for organisations.
3. You are able to define what ethical considerations regarding big data and hyper-personalisation a PR officer should apply in his/her daily work to get or stay connected to the stakeholders.
4. You unravel different strategies for organisations to create spreadability in favour of brand awareness.
5. You are able to write a relevant and well argumented Ebook regarding the changing role of the PR professional in the network society.

Learning goals module Skills

1. Inspiring (Trendwatching)
   You integrate relevant weak signals/trends in your chapter in order to accomplish an innovative Ebook.
2. Appealing (Design) 
   You write your chapter in line with the interests of your target audience and it is suitable for an online medium.
3. Correct English
   You write your chapter in grammatically correct English with the right tone of voice.

Learning goals module the Connecting Consultant

You are able to translate theoretical knowledge regarding the network society to a hands-on advise for organisations.

Period 1

 Period 2