2020/21 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

COMM5601M Innovations in Political Communication

30 creditsClass Size: 32

Module manager: Dr Lone Sorensen
Email: L.N.Sorensen@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2020/21

Pre-requisite qualifications

Pre-requisites

COMM5615M

Keywords in Political Communication

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

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 type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Seminar	11	2.00	22.00
Private study hours			278.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
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 type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay or Dissertation	1 x 4,500-5,500 words	60.00
Presentation	Group Presentation	40.00
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: 03/11/2020

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