2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

COMM5615M Keywords in Political Communication

30 creditsClass Size: 48

Module manager: Julie Firmstone
Email: J.A.Firmstone@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Module replaces

COMM5610M Politics and the Media

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module explores the theoretical foundations of political communication in contemporary societies. It takes a broad comparative approach, analysing the development of political communication both across time and across different contemporary political contexts

Objectives

Organised around a number of ‘keywords’ or concepts that are central to understanding the dynamics of political communication, this module aims to:-
-examine how emergent media technologies and uncertain political realities bring new opportunities and challenges to various political actors.
-examine the nature of the relationship between political activity and the media.
-interrogate whether changes in the political information environment undermine democratic values.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
1) explain and critique different theoretical approaches to political communication.
2) evaluate and critically reflect on the way in which the media shape the presentation of politics and how this affects the political process.
3) analyse the relationship between political actors, citizens, and the media and discuss its implications for the political information environment and electoral politics.
4) compare and contrast the conditions of the political communication in a range of different political and cultural contexts

Skills learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5) Academic Writing - The ability to write in a clear, concise, focused and structured manner that is supported by relevant evidence from scholarly literature on political communication and its related fields.
6) Critical Thinking - The ability to weigh up different arguments and perspectives on political communication, using supporting evidence from contemporary case studies to form independent opinions, arguments, theories and ideas.

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
Seminar	10	2.00	20.00
Private study hours			280.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The first assignment has to be submitted in week 7 and feedback will be given before the Christmas break so that feedback can inform the second assignment (essay), which will be submitted at the beginning of the Examination period in January.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	3,000 - 3,500 words	65.00
Literature Review	Critical evaluation of a key debate in mediated politics (2,000 - 2,500 words)	35.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Resit available via the original assessment method.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/01/2024

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