Politics, Media and Campaigning

Whether you want to advocate for a single political issue or you consider to become a politician, this is the right course for you. Politics is all about sending the right message at the right time. In this course you are going to learn how to get your message across, not only in an appealing but also in a strategic way.

Acquired skills

  • Basic knowledge of the history of politics
  • Understanding the working of different political systems
  • Using the right arguments in a debate
  • Negotiate to a mutual beneficial outcome
  • Delivering a convincing speech
  • Develop a sound campaign strategy

General information

Course term: 204.08. - 15.08.

Available seats: 12

Price: 850 €

Category: Bussiness & Marketing

Status: Early Bird

Deadline: 30.04.2025

Description

What are the secrets of decision making? How do you effectively influence decisions? How do you bring people along during a crisis? And how do you influence the public opinion? In the course we will reveal the secrets of politics and campaigning, illustrated by historical and current cases. The course will introduce you in the world of international, national and local politics, media and campaigning. You are going to learn about the history of politics, the main political ideologies, different political systems and campaign strategies. During the course we are going to practice a variety of personal skills. After the course you will be able to bring forward strong arguments in a debate, deliver persuading speeches, defend a political position in a media interview and negotiate to a mutual beneficial outcome.

Schedule

  • Day 1Introduction to politics - History of politics / Political issues (economy, inequality, climate crisis) / Group exercise: lower house debate
  • Day 2Debating - Debating theory / Analyzing famous debates (Kennedy - Nixon, Trump - Biden) / Individual exercise: presidential debate
  • Day 3National politics - Political systems / Main ideologies / Political parties / Group exercise: parliamentary debate
  • Day 4Local politics - Crisis management (Case study: Covid-19) / Resilient cities / Civic participation / Negotiation techniques / Group exercise: negotiation
  • Day 5International politics and geopolitical conflicts - The Cold War / The New Silk Road / World powers (USA, European Union, China) / International diplomacy / Group exercise: negotiation
  • Day 6Political speeches - The secrets of speechwriting / Analyzing speeches (Reagan, Thatcher, Blair, Obama) / Individual exercise: write your own speech
  • Day 7Personal performance - Public speaking / Media training / Individual exercise: deliver your speech
  • Day 8Campaigning - Campaign strategies and tactics / Analyzing political campaigns / Group exercise: develop a campaign strategy
  • Day 9Campaign advertising - Voter’s values / Target groups / Analyzing political ads / Group exercise: make a political video ad
  • Day 10Evaluation and presentation - Reflection on the course / Question time / Group exercise: presenting and showing the video ads

Course is running: Monday - Friday, 9:00 - 14:00

Lecturer

Arno Bonte

CV

Former Vice Mayor in Rotterdam

Alderman for Sustainability, Climate Adaptation and Transportation in the city of Helmond

Bio

Arno Bonte is a Dutch politician. Currently he is Alderman for Sustainability, Climate Adaptation and Transportation in the city of Helmond. From 2018 till 2022 he was Vice Mayor for Sustainability, Clean Air and Energy Transition in Rotterdam, the second city in the Netherlands. Together with more than a hundred companies, organizations and local communities, he designed a strategy to transform Rotterdam from a mainly fossil based city into a front-runner in sustainability. His experience in politics, media and campaigning spans more than twenty years. He was a city councilor for 12 years, was campaign advisor for the Dutch Green Party, media advisor for child rights organization Plan International and worked as a spokesperson for Friends of the Earth and the Dutch labor union FNV.

Course outline

Literature

  • Westen, D. (2007) The Political Brain, The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation.
  • Fisher, R., and W. Ury (1981) Getting to Yes. Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In.
  • Frankopan, P. (2019) The New Silk Roads, The Present and the Future of the World.

Credits

You will receive an official Certificate of Attendance upon completion of your course. Please inform the organizing staff if you require any extra supplements, such as Transcript of Records. The student is eligible to receive up to 5 ECTS credits, however please follow the instructions here and consult the acknowledgment process with your university in advance.

Assessments

  • attendance in class 15%
  • team assignment 40%
  • individual assignment 35%
  • exam 10% (optional, if required by home University)

Course time total 125 hours

  1. Course runs 2 weeks Monday to Friday 9:00-14:00
  2. Total time of in-class work = 50hours
  3. Preliminary assignment = 10hours
  4. Preparation = 65hours

Price

Course fee includes the course itself, application fee, study materials, afternoon/evening social activities and events, welcome and goodbye drink as part of the graduation party. Other expenses, such as meals, accommodation, insurance, personal expenses, public transportation ticket, extra activities (such as trips outside of town over the weekend and entrance fees), and required equipment (i.e. pencils, paper for illustrations) are not included in the price.

Please note, after the 30th of April 2025 there will be a late enrollment fee charged in the amount of 50EUR on top of the course fee.

Terms and Conditions - Cancellation fees

Costs of living in Prague

Accommodation

For accommodation options, please visit the dedicated page

*Program/Course Outline is subject to change.

Prerequisites

  • Intermediate level of English (at least B1/B2)