EVSb2078 EU Diplomacy in a Digital Age

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Monika Brusenbauch Meislová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Monika Brusenbauch Meislová, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Tue 10:00–11:40 U35
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 40 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 35/40, only registered: 3/40, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/40
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 8 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
"EU Diplomacy in a Digital Age" course invites students into the exciting and dynamic world where diplomacy, politics, and digital communication intersect. With a specific focus on the European Union, the course explores how this unique actor navigates the challenges and opportunities of the digital era, crafting its image, engaging diverse audiences, and responding to crises in real time. Through compelling case studies, creative assignments, and interactive teaching methods, students gain hands-on insight into how digital diplomacy is practiced across EU institutions and member states. They will examine how social media posts, livestreams, and online campaigns have become tools of influence, and how digital platforms shape the EU’s voice. Designed to cultivate both critical reflection and creative thinking, the course trains students to think like 21st-century diplomats - strategic, agile, and digitally fluent. The students will participate in engaging projects such as a digital audit, an original vlog, and a collaborative innovation pitch in order to discover that diplomacy today extends far beyond formal negotiations - into the realm of smartphones, memes, and viral storytelling.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will have developed a solid understanding of how the digital transformation is reshaping EU diplomacy. They will be able to critically assess how the EU uses digital platforms to communicate, influence, and engage with international audiences - from official channels to more experimental formats. Through case studies, hands-on assignments, and group collaboration, students will learn to connect theoretical concepts with real-world practice, sharpening their ability to interpret digital strategies in complex political contexts. In the process, they will also strengthen their skills in communication, creativity, and critical thinking - essential tools for navigating today’s hybrid information environment.
Syllabus
In an age where global influence is increasingly exercised through screens, platforms, and algorithms, the European Union must constantly adapt how it conducts diplomacy. "EU Diplomacy in a Digital Age" course offers students a unique opportunity to explore how the EU navigates this transformation. This course is designed as a deep dive into the EU’s evolving diplomatic toolkit and its engagement with the world in a rapidly digitalizing landscape. Throughout the semester, students will trace the evolution of diplomacy from traditional to digital formats, explore how EU institutions and diplomats craft their online presence, and analyze concrete cases such as the EU’s digital response to the war in Ukraine, climate diplomacy, or global disinformation campaigns. The course will challenge students to think critically about how the EU practices digital diplomacy, while facing challenges to its credibility, transparency, and visibility. Key themes will include the transformation of diplomatic practices in the digital era; strategic use of social media; digital crisis management and public diplomacy; and the broader implications of digital diplomacy. Students will work with real-world material, assess live campaigns, and develop creative outputs of their own. The course stands out for its interactive, student-driven approach and emphasis on practical application. It draws from a wide range of disciplines - EU studies, international relations, political science and communication studies - to offer a well-rounded perspective on how the EU's diplomacy engages the digital landscape. Numerous guest speakers will share insider perspectives, among others helping students connect course content with potential career paths in diplomacy, public affairs and academia.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • The Oxford handbook of digital diplomacy. Edited by Corneliu Bjola - Ilan Manor. First edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2024, xv, 681. ISBN 9780192859198. info
  • Digital diplomacy and international organisations : autonomy, legitimacy and contestation. Edited by Corneliu Bjola - Ruben Zaiotti. New York, NY: Routledge, 2021, 1 online. ISBN 9780367469993. URL info
  • Countering online propaganda and extremism : the dark side of digital diplomacy. Edited by Corneliu Bjola - James Pamment. First published. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2019, xiv, 213. ISBN 9781138578630. info
  • Digital diplomacy : theory and practice. Edited by Corneliu Bjola - Marcus Holmes. First published. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2015, xiii, 238. ISBN 9781138843820. info
Teaching methods
The "EU Diplomacy in a Digital Age" course is designed as an interactive and hands-on learning experience. Rather than relying solely on traditional lectures, the course blends short expert inputs with active, student-driven activities that encourage participation, reflection, and creativity. Throughout the semester, students will engage in a variety of dynamic formats such as World Cafés, Gallery Walks Seminars, Speed-Dating Discussions, Reading Relays, Scenario Planning Workshops, MemeFests etc. To support independent learning and digital skills development, students will also be invited to explore EU digital diplomacy campaigns, audit institutional social media accounts, and create their own digital content. As such, the teaching style encourages an open and collaborative classroom atmosphere, where students are active participants, not passive recipients.
Assessment methods
Assessment in “EU Diplomacy in a Digital Age“ course reflects the spirit of the course: creative and varied. Rather than relying on a single high-pressure exam, the course uses a mix of formats that include a balance of both individual effort and teamwork. Students will complete a set of exciting assignments designed to build both analytical and creative skills. These include a digital audit of an EU actor, a self-produced vlog, and a group pitch for an original digital diplomacy innovation. Along the way, students will take part in a series of interactive (and often slightly unconventional learning formats :) such as World Cafés, Gallery Walk Seminar, Speed-Dating Discussions, MemeFests, Policy Hackathons, Scenario Workshops or Reading Relays. As such, the course emphasizes continuous engagement and regular feedback throughout the semester, rather than the traditional “grand finale of panic.” This approach helps students stay actively involved with the content and track their progress more effectively, while keeping the pressure low, the learning steady, and the caffeine consumption at reasonable levels. :)
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
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