The Certificate in Strategic Communication promotes an understanding of an often misunderstood and misnamed tool of statecraft, which is sometimes confused with public diplomacy or public affairs and which even is used as a euphemism for advertisement and propaganda. The coursework is designed to provide the practitioner with an appreciation for the need to integrate policy with all instruments of statecraft, while focusing on specific targets and effective messaging. Students are prepared for careers in public diplomacy, information support operations, strategic communications, and public affairs.
Curriculum
This certificate requires five courses, as listed below, for a total of 20 credits.
- IWP 616 U.S. National Security Strategy and Emerging Threats OR IWP 659 Enemy Threat Doctrine of Global Jihadism
- IWP 618 Information Operations and Information Warfare OR IWP 641 Political Warfare: Past, Present and Future
- IWP 631 Foreign Propaganda, Perceptions and Policy
- IWP 637 Public Diplomacy
- IWP 640 Cultural Intelligence for Strategy and Analysis
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of basic terms, concepts, history, theories, and geography related to strategic communication.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the need to integrate policy with all instruments of statecraft, while focusing on specific targets and effective messaging.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to assess arguments, identify logical flaws, and obtain supporting or corrective information.
- Students will demonstrate the use of clear, effective and persuasive communications.