Master Meetings

16.05.2023

Argumentation in Public Communication

Recent research in public communication reveals the importance of an argumentative turn in policy analysis. This turn is justified because, in public communication, most activities and interactions (oral and written) are characterized by argumentation, as actors are committed to be accountable for their decisions and give reasons for their claims. Argumentation in Public Communication focuses on oral and written argumentative discourse in public policy and public communication, assuming that a well-conducted argumentative dialogue increases the quality of public communication. Examples of argumentation will be taken from different contexts of public communication, ranging from public press releases, to policy documents, to the debate around popular initiatives, to NGO campaigns and political debates and their echoes on the media and social media. Throughout the course, we will adopt a critical perspective: the analytical reconstruction of argumentation will be associated to the critical evaluation of its logical and communicative validity, including the discovery of  manipulative processes, for example misleading premises hidden in online hate speech.

E-Government

The course examines main opportunities offered by new technologies for governments´ actions. The use of the Internet and other communication technologies in order to provide information and services to citizens, businesses, and other public organizations will be discussed, along with the implications for government efficiency, transparency, communication, service delivery and engagement with citizens. It will also tackle how international organizations and NGOs could leverage on ICTs.

Furthermore, the course addresses legal issues related to the collection and use of data by state agencies and access to governmental information by the media and the general public. It will present the rules governing personal data protection, right to information and open data.