Information Package / Course Catalogue
Sustainability Communication
Course Code: İLT333
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 2
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 5
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to enable students to evaluate the concept of sustainability from the perspective of communication studies and to understand the relationship between environmental, social, and economic issues and communication processes. Within the scope of the course, students are expected to analyze sustainability communication practices carried out by institutions, brands, public organizations, and civil society actors in the context of strategic communication, public relations, stakeholder communication, and campaign management. The course also aims to help students develop ethical, transparent, and target audience-oriented sustainability communication practices.

Course Content

This course examines the concept of sustainability through its environmental, social, and economic dimensions and discusses the main approaches to sustainability communication. Within the scope of the course, sustainable development goals, stakeholder communication, corporate communication, public relations, campaign management, sustainability reporting, digital media, ethics, and greenwashing are evaluated. In addition, examples and practical activities are carried out to help students develop ethical, transparent, and effective sustainability communication practices for different target audiences.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.The student can explain the concept of sustainability through its environmental, social, and economic dimensions.
2.The student can evaluate the basic concepts and aims of sustainability communication and its relationship with communication studies.
3.The student can analyze the importance of sustainable development goals for communication processes, institutions, and social actors.
4.The student can examine sustainability communication practices carried out by institutions, public organizations, civil society, and the media within the context of strategic communication.
5.The student can develop sustainability messages, campaigns, and digital content for different target audiences.
6.The student can discuss the concepts of ethics, transparency, trust, corporate responsibility, and greenwashing in sustainability communication.
7.The student can transform theoretical knowledge into practice by designing a campaign, project, or content in the field of sustainability communication.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Sancar Demren, G. A. (2022). Kurumsal İletişim Bağlamında Kurumsal Sürdürülebilirlik İletişimi. Beta Yayınları.
2.Ertürk, M. C. (2025). Sürdürülebilirlik İletişimi: Yeşil Yıkama Riskleri ve Paradokslar. Ekin Yayınevi.
3.Kahle, L. R., & Gurel-Atay, E. (Eds.). (2015). Communicating Sustainability for the Green Economy. Routledge.
4.Genç, R. (2017). The Importance of Communication in Sustainability & Sustainable Strategies. Procedia Manufacturing.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Introduction to the course; the concept and scope of sustainability and its relationship with communication studies
Week 2 - Theoretical
The sustainable development approach; environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability
Week 3 - Theoretical
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and their relevance to communication processes
Week 4 - Theoretical
Basic concepts, aims, and functions of sustainability communication
Week 5 - Theoretical
Sustainability in the context of strategic communication; target audience, message, and media selection
Week 6 - Theoretical
Stakeholder communication; the relationship among institutions, public organizations, civil society, media, and society
Week 7 - Theoretical
Sustainability practices in the context of corporate communication and public relations
Week 8 - Theoretical
Sustainability campaigns; awareness raising, behavioral change, and social participation
Week 9 - Theoretical
Social marketing and sustainability communication; communication strategies focused on social benefit
Week 10 - Theoretical
Sustainability communication in digital media; social media, online campaigns, and digital content production
Week 11 - Theoretical
Sustainability reporting, ESG communication, and corporate transparency
Week 12 - Theoretical
Greenwashing, ethical issues, and building trust in sustainability communication
Week 13 - Theoretical
Sustainability in the context of risk and crisis communication; communication of environmental, climate, and social issues
Week 14 - Theoretical
Sustainability communication practices; examples of campaign, project, or content design and general evaluation
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures5%5
Quiz1%10
Midterm Examination1%25
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory143384
Reading2114
Individual Work4028
Quiz1000
Midterm Examination1819
Final Examination119120
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)125
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
OÇ-1
2
2
2
1
4
3
4
3
2
2
2
3
2
2
3
OÇ-2
2
2
3
1
4
4
4
3
2
3
3
4
3
2
4
OÇ-3
2
2
3
1
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
4
3
2
4
OÇ-4
3
3
3
2
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
4
4
2
4
OÇ-5
4
3
4
3
4
3
3
4
4
5
4
4
4
3
5
OÇ-6
2
2
3
1
4
4
5
3
3
2
2
3
3
2
4
OÇ-7
4
3
5
3
4
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026