This special study module is an introduction to political communication from the lens of hybrid media environments. It enables students to examine the new research agenda and the emerging practices in this field of study beyond the limits of the media effects approach applied to traditional or mass media. The topics covered on the module are partly linked with the research interests and projects of teaching staff and will enable students to benefit from research-informed teaching in their final year of study. Students will undertake extensive exploration of the new challenges facing political communication in multi-platform contexts, drawing on pertinent theoretical debates and current media stories. Students will deliver an assessed presentation, and produce an extended and focused practice-based or essay-based project on a particular topic negotiated with the module leader.
To enhance students' skills of project and time management, negotiation, and presentation
Curriculum Content:
Western models of public opinion: from mass persuasion to polarization
Symbolic and ritualized politics in non-western cultures
Socialization of youth, Diasporas, and minorities into the political process
Branding, advertisement, and lifestyle politics (personality, voice, face, dress)
Spin doctors, political scandals and cross-media events
Theorizing political authority
Media effects: news media, agenda-setting and broadcast-centred model of political communication
Media affects: networks, the media amateur, and interpersonal small-group communication
Mash-up democracy: political communication and media interactivity
This module will be taught in a fortnightly, two-hour lecture and seminar block. Activities within this block remain as flexible as possible to allow the module to adapt to student interests and questions as they develop from readings and discussions. Seminars will encourage active participation and as part of this encouragement ask all members of the seminar to come prepared to ask specific questions of the group each session and, where appropriate, to lead discussions. Within the seminar format, students will present work in progress on their projects and also assessed presentations relating to key themes from the module content. Two practical workshops will be devoted to project design and management skills.
Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
Scheduled learning and teaching | Lecture and Seminars | 22 |
Scheduled learning and teaching | Tutorials and supervision | 3 |
Guided independent study | Research and reading in preparation for taught classes, and preparation of assignments | 275 |
Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 |
Students are required to produce an extended researched essay or a piece of practice informed research related to the module content. The title and scope of this will be agreed with the module tutor in advance and will enable students to develop focused and sustained work based on their own guided research and in response to the themes and concerns of the module.
Students will also give a 15 minute presentation on an aspect of the module content in the first half of the teaching schedule. Presentations are designed to ensure students cover a range of material from the module. Students will be asked to present one of the topics covered in the module reflecting critically, and interconnecting theory and practice using relevant examples.
Formative assessment and feed forward opportunities will be provided through class based exercises and discussion and work-in-progress seminar presentations. These will also offer opportunities for peer review.
Breakdown of Element of Assessment:
a) The practice-based option:
1) Individual Presentation (30%)
2) Coursework (70%): Students will be required to produce a Portfolio of two pieces of work as part of their practice informed research project.
1. Practical Project: (50% of the mark for coursework)
2. Extended research essay: (max 2,500 words, 50% of the mark for coursework)
b) The essay option:
1) Individual Presentation (30%)
2) Coursework (70%):
5.000 words research essay (100% of the coursework).
Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
---|---|
Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of how the convergence of mass media and social media is transforming the field of political communication research and practice. | The presentation and the extended researched essay/piece of practice informed research. |
Utilise rigorously conceptual and theoretical perspectives and debates in the analysis of political communication across mass and new media texts, images, and practices. | The presentation and the extended researched essay/piece of practice informed research |
Demonstrate critical understanding of the significance of social, historical and cultural contexts in their analysis. | The presentation and the extended researched essay/piece of practice informed research |
Demonstrate an ability to work independently, negotiate research foci and to manage their time efficiently. | The extended researched essay/piece of practice informed research |
Demonstrate an ability to design and produce an extended piece of researched study in an appropriate format. | The extended researched essay/piece of practice informed research. |
Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
---|---|---|
CWK | CWK | 100 |
Total (to equal 100%) | 100% |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module