Social Media and Digital Diplomacy

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:1.00

Study Course Accepted:11.03.2024 11:51:12

Study Course Information
Course Code:		SZF_105		LQF level:		Level 7
Credit Points:		4.00		ECTS:		6.00
Branch of Science:		Political Science		Target Audience:		Information and Communication Science; Political Science; Communication Science
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Māris Cepurītis
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		12	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		24
Classes (count)		11	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		22
Total Contact Hours								46
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Fundamental knowledge in international relations and diplomacy - understanding of international relations, diplomatic protocol, and international legislation, as well as communication skills, information technology literacy, critical thinking skills, knowledge of ethical standards, and understanding of basic issues in cybersecurity.
Objective:
Provide students with an understanding of the role and impact of social media in international relations, diplomacy, and public diplomacy, as well as develop skills in creating and managing digital diplomacy campaigns.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Introduction. Basic concepts of social media and digital diplomacy.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
2	Historical development of diplomacy and communication interaction			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
3	Public diplomacy and cultural diplomacy in the digital environment			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
4	Aspects of digitization of diplomatic functions			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
5	The digital culture of diplomacy			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
6	Theoretical aspects of social media and digital interaction			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
7	Legal and Ethical Aspects of Using Social Media in Digital Diplomacy			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
8	Cyber security aspects in digital diplomacy			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
9	Case studies of digital diplomacy campaigns			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
10	The 'Grey Zone' of Digital Diplomacy: Influence Operations and Propaganda			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
11	Development of digital diplomacy campaigns			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
				Classes		2.00	auditorium
12	Presentation of digital diplomacy campaigns			Classes		3.00	auditorium
13	Counseling before the exam			Classes		1.00	auditorium
14	Exam			Classes		2.00	auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Study of literature: Analysis of scientific literature on the theoretical and practical aspects of social media and digital diplomacy. Case study analysis: Examination of practical examples and cases, analyzing successful and unsuccessful digital diplomacy campaigns. Report: On certain aspects of the course, discussing theoretical knowledge and its application in practical situations. Development of a digital diplomacy campaign: Independent creation of a digital diplomacy campaign, including strategies, target audience, content, and communication channels. Presentations and discussions: Preparation of presentations and participation in group discussions, where course topics and independent work results are discussed. Learning digital diplomacy tools: Practical work with social media platforms, analytics tools, and other digital instruments.
Assessment Criteria:
Knowledge/understanding of the course's theoretical aspects and the ability to integrate them into analysis and argumentation. Analytical abilities: Quality of case and literature analysis, ability to identify key issues, and argue conclusions. Execution of practical tasks: Creation of digital diplomacy campaigns - demonstration of skills and their compliance with modern standards. Communication skills: Ability to present ideas and arguments clearly and convincingly, as well as to participate effectively in discussions. Creativity and innovation: Use of unique and innovative approaches to problem-solving and task completion. Adherence to ethics and professional attitude towards tasks/content.
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam
Final Examination (Part-Time):
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		Knows information about the use of social media in digital diplomacy.
Skills:		Skills in analyzing the digital diplomacy activities conducted on social media by international actors.
Competencies:		Create digital diplomacy campaigns on social media designed to implement the interests of international actors.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	Paredzēta studentiem gan latviešu, gan angļu plūsmā (literatūra paliek nemainīga)
2	Klynge C., Ekman M., Waedegaard N. J., Diplomacy in the Digital Age: Lessons from Denmark’s TechPlomacy Initiative, in Ministries of Foreign Affairs in the World. Actors of State Diplomacy, Lequesne C., Ed., (Koninklijke Brill: Leiden, 2022).
3	Spry D., From Delhi to Dili: Facebook Diplomacy by Ministries of Foreign Affairs in the Asia-Pacific, in Ministries of Foreign Affairs in the World. Actors of State Diplomacy, Lequesne C., Ed., (Koninklijke Brill: Leiden, 2022).
4	Erpul O., Digital Diplomacy and International Society in the Age of Populism, in Hare P. W., Manfredi-Sánchez J. L., Weisbrode K.,Eds., The Palgrave Handbook of Diplomatic Reform and Innovation, (Palgrave Macmillan: Cham, 2023)
5	Bjola C., Coplen M., Digital Diplomacy in the Time of the Coronavirus Pandemic: Lessons and Recommendations, in Hare P. W., Manfredi-Sánchez J. L., Weisbrode K.,Eds., The Palgrave Handbook of Diplomatic Reform and Innovation, (Palgrave Macmillan: Cham, 2023)
6	Fletcher T., Beyond Meeting and Tweeting: The Next Challenges for Innovation in Diplomacy, in Hare P. W., Manfredi-Sánchez J. L., Weisbrode K.,Eds., The Palgrave Handbook of Diplomatic Reform and Innovation, (Palgrave Macmillan: Cham, 2023)
7	Manfredi-Sánchez J. L., Huang Z. A., Disinformation and Diplomacy, in Hare P. W., Manfredi-Sánchez J. L., Weisbrode K.,Eds., The Palgrave Handbook of Diplomatic Reform and Innovation, (Palgrave Macmillan: Cham, 2023)
8	Heine J., Aguirre D., Digitalizing South American MFAs: Reform and Resistance, in Hare P. W., Manfredi-Sánchez J. L., Weisbrode K.,Eds., The Palgrave Handbook of Diplomatic Reform and Innovation, (Palgrave Macmillan: Cham, 2023)
9	Bjola C., Manor, I., Introduction: Understanding Digital Diplomacy—The Grammar Rules and Patterns of Digital Disruption, in Bjola C., Manor, I., Eds., The Oxford Handbook of Digital Diplomacy (Oxford University Press: New York, 2024)
10	Rawnsley G. D., Soft Power in the Digital Space, in Bjola C., Manor, I., Eds., The Oxford Handbook of Digital Diplomacy (Oxford University Press: New York, 2024)
11	Briant E. L., Researching Influence Operations: ‘Dark Arts’ Mercenaries and the Digital Influence Industry, in Bjola C., Manor, I., Eds., The Oxford Handbook of Digital Diplomacy (Oxford University Press: New York, 2024)
12	Kello L., Digital Diplomacy and Cyber Defence, in Bjola C., Manor, I., Eds., The Oxford Handbook of Digital Diplomacy (Oxford University Press: New York, 2024)
13	Grincheva N., Digital Cultural Diplomacy: From Content Providers to Opinion Makers, in Bjola C., Manor, I., Eds., The Oxford Handbook of Digital Diplomacy (Oxford University Press: New York, 2024)
14	Huang Z. A., Arceneaux P., Ethical Challenges in the Digitalization of Public Diplomacy, in Bjola C., Manor, I., Eds., The Oxford Handbook of Digital Diplomacy (Oxford University Press: New York, 2024)
15	Wiseman G., Digital Diplomatic Cultures, in Bjola C., Manor, I., Eds., The Oxford Handbook of Digital Diplomacy (Oxford University Press: New York, 2024)