This module is inactive in the selected year. The information shown below is for the academic year that the module was last running in, prior to the year selected.

2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMM3340 The Reporting of Politics

20 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Judith Stamper
Email: j.stamper@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

This module is mutually exclusive with

COMM2380

The Reporting of Politics

Module replaces

COMM2380 The Reporting of Politics

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

From the main constitutional debates - the role of the monarchy; constitutional reform; devolution in the United Kingdom; and the UK's relationship with Europe and its membership of the European Union - and the way they are reported by the British media; to the theory and practices of political communication between citizens and political elites; the module will examine the role of journalism in British democracy.

Objectives

The module will help provide an understanding of the way politics is reported on television radio the print media and Internet. The module will follow the development of political reporting in Britain over the past 50 years. It will examine the current public perceptions of politicians, the apparent disengagement of the electorate, the global nature of political activity, and the role of the media in the political process.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students should:
- have developed an understanding of how Britain is governed and why this particular system of government has emerged over the years
- have a critical awareness of the role of the mass media in British democracy
- be able to analyse the impact of the developing technologies of mass communication
- have developed an understanding of the relationship between politicians and the media and be able to critically evaluate the influences broadcasters may have on political outcomes.

Skills outcomes
Students will be expected to assess the relationship between politicians and the media and critically evaluate the reporting of political events.

Syllabus

- A brief examination of the history of British politics and political communication.
- Analysis of the recent political scene, including the relationships between journalists and politicians
- The range of political news programme genres will be examined, and critiqued

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	2.00	22.00
Seminar	11	1.00	11.00
Tutorial	2	1.00	2.00
Private study hours			165.00
Total Contact hours			35.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

- Weekly seminar preparation (22 hours)
- Exam and essay preparation (143 hours)

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Two small group tutorials of 4/5 students for one hour each to monitor essay progress and give formative feedback. Summative feedback is given after the essays are submitted and marked and before the examination is taken. Final seminars are for monitoring exam preparation.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 2,500 - 3,000 words	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 23/02/2017

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD