Internal communication and communication of change

lcomu2610  2026-2027  Louvain-la-Neuve

Internal communication and communication of change
5.00 credits
30.0 h
Q1
> Schedule
Teacher(s)
Dungelhoeff Chloé (compensates Lambotte François); Lambotte François;
Language
English
Main themes
This course shows the main issues of internal communication, using a series of analytical categories provided by the communication and information sciences. It presents the relations between internal communication, culture and identity of organizations. It also presents the relationship between internal communication and human resource management (HRM), and the contribution of internal communication to change management.
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1. Master in a reflexive and critical way a series of elements that relate to the internal communication of the organizations :
  • distinguishing phenomena and practices of internal communication ;
  • identify the main tools and techniques of internal communication and understand their logic ;
  • distinguish the different methods of analysis of internal communication ;
  • develop a communication strategy for change ;
  • understand the relationship between internal communication and human resources management (HRM) ;
  • grasp certain normative aspects and the ethical dimension related to internal communication, in a context of multiculturalism.
 
Content
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  • understand what Internal Communication is (and is not), and grasp its actual purpose;
  • identify the actors responsible for Internal Communication within an organization (communicators, managers, HR, social partners, influencers, change agents);
  • adopt different positions as an internal communicator depending on the organizational system, and understand how this shapes missions, levers and responsibilities;
  • master the basics of internal communication channels and tools;
  • translate organizational strategy and its environment into concrete, meaningful messages for internal audiences;
  • foster a sense of belonging, engagement and trust within the organization;
  • adopt a listening posture towards internal stakeholders (bottom-up approach);
  • understand the stakes of managerial communication;
  • distinguish between different types of change and the phases of change communication (prepare, manage, sustain);
  • analyse real-life cases and contemporary Internal Communication challenges, including through a group panel exercise;
  • reflect critically on emerging issues in Internal Communication, including the impact of artificial intelligence on information and communication management; ESG;  psychosocial risks; EDI. 
Teaching methods
The course will be based on lectures and case studies.
Evaluation methods
During the first session:  
  • Group panel debate (40%)  during a plenary session
  • Individual assessment on comprehension of the content of the course (60%) - Oral exam
During the second session : Individual oral exam on the complete course: 60%. The initial rating of the working group (40%) will be maintained if the group obtained 50% of the rating; otherwise, the student must present a complementary work to be fixed with the teacher.
 
Other information
The course is taught in English. 
Online resources
All content will be made available on the course's Moodle page.
Faculty or entity
> COMU


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Master [120] in Multilingual Communication
MULT2M
5
Master [120] in Communication
CORP2M
5
Master [120] in Information and Communication Science and Technology
STIC2M
5
Master [120] in Communication
COMM2M
5
Master [120] in Human Resources Management
GRH2M
5
Master [120] in Journalism
EJL2M
5