Module Catalogue 2024/25

BUS3062 : Corporate Communication and Social Media

BUS3062 : Corporate Communication and Social Media

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Iain Munro
  • Lecturer: Professor Alan McKinlay, Dr Kristina Humonen
  • Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The overall objective of this module is to provide an outline of the changing landscape of modern corporate communications techniques including traditional approaches such as public relations and issues management, and more the developments related to the use of a variety of social media platforms which effect the corporate semiotic environment. The module explores the main theoretical perspectives on corporate communication and social media technologies. It also addresses the debates around the changing role of corporations in relation to broader social issues including the role of social media in transforming a range of industries (especially, the news media and the music industries) and more generally in democracies (such as the role of ‘fake news’ in politics).

Outline Of Syllabus

The topics covered in this module include:
- Introduction to Corporate Communication and Social Media
- Theoretical perspectives on Corporate Communication and Social Media
- Actors, pressures and issues in Corporate Communication
- Communication and crisis management
- Advertisements and branding
- Critique of Corporate Communication
- Future perspectives on Corporate Communication and Social Media

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students should be able to demonstrate a good understanding of:
- The key conceptual developments on the relationship between business and society
- The economic, political and social roles of corporations
- The relevant issues and current debates within the academic and practitioner literatures on Corporate Communication and Social Media

Intended Skill Outcomes

Students should develop their ability to:
- Apply theoretical knowledge to discuss practical issues
- Critically assess the role of business in society and more precisely appraise companies’
- Corporate Communication and Social Media practices and strategies
- Identify and analyse salient issues involved in Corporate Communication and Social Media

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion160:0060:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture122:0024:00PiP lectures
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading154:0054:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching32:006:00PiP 2 hour seminars
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery21:002:00PIP
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery11:001:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study153:0053:00N/A
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lectures will introduce the theories and approaches related to the relationship between business and society as well as the management of Corporate Communication practices. Case studies will be discussed in seminars to develop insight on current issues involved in Corporate Communication management. Drop-in sessions will be used to discuss the group presentations and essay preparation. These sessions are intended to facilitate the students’ independent study, “engaging students themselves in hands-on research and working with students as collaborators” (LTR Report, 2016).

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Oral Presentation201A30Group Presentation - Podcast
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1M70Individual assignment of 2500 words
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The essay will enable an in-depth investigation of one aspect of Corporate Communication and assess the students’ ability to relate theoretical concepts to a practical example. The assessment will assess the students’ overall understanding of the module content and their ability to critically analyse key issues in Corporate Communication and Social Media.
The group presentations/podcasts will assess the students' overall understanding of the module content and their ability to use theoretical frameworks to critically analyse key issues in Corporate Communications and Social Media.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.