2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMM1950 Power, Politics and the Media

20 creditsClass Size: 80

Module manager: Cindy Ma
Email: C.Ma4@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module addresses the contemporary relationship between power, politics and the media through the ‘triangle' of politicians, public and media. We review the roles of each of these actors in turn and look at the relationship between them. We also address key debates within political communication and the extent to which digital technologies are changing or even eroding the triangle. We bring all of these themes together by looking back at recent election campaigns and other significant political events.

Objectives

This module aims to provide students with:
- an understanding of the central role that the media play in the relationship between citizens and the state;
- an overview of major perspectives on the role of the media in politics;
- insight into the role of digital communications technologies in altering the relationship between the citizen, the media and the state.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Discuss political communication as a communications system, identifying key institutions and describing their interactions
2. Critically evaluate key theoretical perspectives on the role of the media in politics
3. Apply key theories of political communication to the analysis of media texts
4. Plan and execute a small research poster project as a member of a team

Skills learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Critical thinking: the ability to weigh up different arguments and perspectives in the field of politics, communication and media, using supporting evidence to form opinions, arguments, and theories
6. Information searching: the ability to search for, evaluate and use appropriate and relevant information sources on media and communication to help strengthen the quality of academic work and independent research
7. Teamwork/collaboration: the ability to build positive relationships with others in order to successfully complete a research project centred around a specific assignment brief on politics and the media

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lectures	10	1.50	15.00
seminars	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			175.00
Total Contact hours			25.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

This takes place through: 1) the mid semester submission of the first essay which is then fed back to students prior to the next assignment ;2) through participation in seminars; and 3) through tutor monitoring of research group progress.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Essay 2,000 - 2,500 words	40.00
Assignment	Report 1,500 - 1,800 words	40.00
Assignment	Group poster	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Resits available via original assessment method.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 03/04/2024

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