Persuasive Communication - Period 5

In this course, students will be introduced to theoretical models of persuasive communication. In most of these theories, someone's attitude change is the goal of the communicator, and the process of persuasion involves communicating a message that appeals to targeted people to (gradually) change their state of mind. Many different strategies exist, and choosing a strategy depends on many circumstances: communicative goal, societal domain (e.g., public information or commercial advertising), channel of communication, message type, message content, and message design. Theoretical models are introduced and demonstrated, and in individual assignments cases of persuasion are studied that students may find in their own cultural background. The assignments will make a critical review of theoretical models possible. Political communication, and the role of language in politicians' strategies to convince audiences, will receive special attention in this course.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) awards credits based on the ECTS system. Contact hours listed under a course description may vary due to the combination of lecture-based and independent work required for each course therefore, CEA?s recommended credits are based on the ECTS credits assigned by VU Amsterdam. 1 ECTS equals 28 contact hours assigned by VU Amsterdam.