Title: Strategic Communications

Location: US

Company: King's College London

About this course:
Strategic communications is a powerful tool used by governments, insurgents, and non-state actors to shape long-term narratives and influence public perception. But in an age of political instability and global disruption, the ability to control messaging — through words, images, and actions — has become increasingly complex.
In this self-paced course from King’s College London, you will explore how strategic communications operates across national, cultural, and ideological contexts. Led by Dr Neville Bolt, Director of the King’s Centre for Strategic Communications, the course blends theory with real-world case studies, examining:

The evolution of strategic communications and its conceptual foundations

How memory, storytelling, and environment shape long-term discourse

The use of strategic communications by state challengers, revolutionaries, and insurgents

The influence of different cultural and geopolitical perspectives, including China, Russia, Brazil, and South Africa

The challenges posed by complexity, populism, and decentralised networks in the 21st century

Through global case studies and critical reflection, you will gain a robust understanding of strategic communications as a core component of power and influence in international affairs.
This is a short course that can be completed in 5 hours — designed to be flexible and fit into your schedule.

Understand the scope and evolution of strategic communications as a field of study

Explain the conceptual frameworks that underpin the discipline, including discourse analysis and complexity theory

Assess how states and non-state actors use strategic communications to justify or contest political power

Evaluate the role of storytelling, memory, and persuasion in shaping long-term societal discourse

Investigate how strategic communications operates in different regional contexts, such as Russia, China, Brazil, and South Africa

Analyse contemporary case studies of protest, rebellion, and state response using strategic communications

Critically reflect on the effectiveness of strategic communications in an increasingly decentralised and unpredictable world

Explore how strategic communications shapes societal narratives, influences political outcomes, and redefines power dynamics in a fast-changing global landscape.

Duration: 3 weeks

Skills:
- Communication
- Critical Reflection
- Influencing Skills
- Strategic Communication

Curriculum:
- Understand the scope and evolution of strategic communications as a field of study
- Explain the conceptual frameworks that underpin the discipline, including discourse analysis and complexity theory
- Assess how states and non-state actors use strategic communications to justify or contest political power
- Evaluate the role of storytelling, memory, and persuasion in shaping long-term societal discourse
- Investigate how strategic communications operates in different regional contexts, such as Russia, China, Brazil, and South Africa
- Analyse contemporary case studies of protest, rebellion, and state response using strategic communications

- Critically reflect on the effectiveness of strategic communications in an increasingly decentralised and unpredictable world