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2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

COMM5601M Innovations in Political Communication

30 creditsClass Size: 16

Module manager: Professor Stephen Coleman
Email: s.coleman@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications


Pre-requisites

COMM5610MPolitics and the Media

Module replaces

COMM5620M Political Campaigns and Political Public Relations

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to ...
This module explores innovations in political communication resulting from changes in culture, technology and global power dynamics.
It focuses on a series of broad innovations, with particular emphasis upon examples and case studies.
Particular emphasis will be laid on political communications in established democracies in Western Europe and North America, with some secondary references to democratising nations and regions.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- understand the role of communications in democratic politics;
- comprehend, discuss and critically evaluate a series of contemporary innovations in political communication;
- discuss the relationship between these innovations and democratic norms;
- compare the effectiveness and risks of such innovations


Syllabus

The module will begin by considering why innovation in political communication has been thought necessary. It will focus on weaknesses and deficits in both dominant practical and academic approaches to political communication.
In subsequent weeks, the module will consider a series of recent ‘turns’ in political communication: deliberative, digital, performative, anti-political, transnational etc. Each ‘turn’ will be illustrated by at least one case study/example and students will be required to provide their own examples.
The final classes will involve student presentations.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Seminar112.0022.00
Private study hours278.00
Total Contact hours22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)300.00

Private study

Students are required to prepare for each class (165 hours) and prepare for an oral presentation (30 hours). The remaining private study time should be dedicated to thinking about, preparing and writing the required essays (83 hours).

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay or Dissertation1 x 4,500-5,500 words60.00
PresentationGroup Presentation40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Students who need to re-sit the group presentation will be asked to submit a 3,000 - 3500 word essay.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 27/04/2017

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