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.
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.
Course leader
Arno Bonte is Vice Mayor for Sustainability, Clean Air and Energy Transition in Rotterdam, the second city in the Netherlands. He has made a strategy to transform Rotterdam from a mainly fossil based city into a front-runner in sustainability.
Target group
Young professionals and university students with intermediary level of English
Course aim
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
Schedule
- Day 1 Introduction to politics - History of politics / Political issues (economy, inequality, climate crisis) / Group exercise: lower house debate
- Day 2 Debating - 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 4 Local politics - Crisis management (Case study: Covid-19) / Resilient cities / Civic participation / Negotiation techniques / Group exercise: negotiation
- Day 5 International politics and geopolitical conflicts - The Cold War / The New Silk Road / World powers (USA, European Union, China) / International diplomacy / Group exercise: negotiation
- Day 6 Political speeches - The secrets of speechwriting / Analyzing speeches (Reagan, Thatcher, Blair, Obama) / Individual exercise: write your own speech
- Day 7 Personal performance - Public speaking / Media training / Individual exercise: deliver your speech
- Day 8 Campaigning - Campaign strategies and tactics / Analyzing political campaigns / Group exercise: develop a campaign strategy
- Day 9 Campaign advertising - Voter’s values / Target groups / Analyzing political ads / Group exercise: make a political video ad
- Day 10 Evaluation and presentation - Reflection on the course / Question time / Group exercise: presenting and showing the video ads
Credits info
5 EC
You will receive an official Certificate of Attendance upon completion of your course which you may use to show evidence of the skills you have learnt during the course and have the credits accepted by your home university.
Fee info
EUR 850: Course fee includes the application fee, study materials, afternoon/evening social activities and events during the week, barbecue and a welcome drink. Other expenses, such as meals, accommodation, insurance, personal expenses, extra activities (such as trips outside town over the weekend) are not included in the price.
Please note, after the 30th of April 2022, there will be a late enrollment fee charged in the amount of 50EUR on top of the course fee.
EUR 208: Accommodation fee for a 13-night stay at Botic Student House starts at 16 EUR/night for a double bed room. Single bed is 23EUR/night.
For further information, please click the "LINK TO ORIGINAL" button below.