Political Institutions And Communication POLITIC5012

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course will analyze the strategic use of Political Communications in key political institutions in society; in particular, the course will examine how politicians use communications for gaining and maintaining political support.  

Timetable

One two-hour seminar held weekly for 10 weeks.

Requirements of Entry

Open to postgraduate students only

Assessment

One essay 1000 words worth 30%, one essay 5000 words worth 70%

Course Aims

· To outline and subject to critical scrutiny the role of communications in the political sphere;

· To define and assess the notion of strategic communications in the comparative study of political institutions;

· To define and analyze strategies of electoral campaigns communications;

· To provide an overview of central research methods (including content analysis) in the field of political communication.
· To develop the specialist analytical skills needed by political communication specialists (for parties, media outlets, governments, military, etc.).

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of the course, students should be able:
· To understand the interaction between the political and media spheres and the public;

. To understand the key role played by various institutions such as parties and political offices in shaping political communication;
· To assess the relative impact of communications on elections;
· To identify and evaluate the potential of the agenda setting for political strategies;
· To understand how political communications are embedded within different political frameworks;

· To analyse the relationship among the media, the public, the military and the government in times of national events (such as wars, natural disasters, etc);

· To advance reasoned and factually supported arguments both orally and in writing.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Successful completion of assessed components