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2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

COMM5610M Politics and the Media

30 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Dr Katrin Voltmer
Email: k.voltmer@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

This module explores the theoretical foundations of political communications in contemporary societies. It takes a broad comparative approach analysing the development of political communication both across time and across different contemporary political contexts. Particular emphasis will be laid on political communications in established democracies in Western Europe and North America, but the particular problems in emerging democracies and developing countries will be discussed.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- understand the role of communications in democratic politics;
- comprehend and critically discuss different theoretical approaches to political communications;
- discuss the normative foundations of public communication in democratic politics;
- evaluate the way in which the media shape the presentation of politics and how this affects the political process;
- critically assess the media's impact on electoral politics;
- analyse the interaction between political actors and its implications for political strategies;
- compare the role of the media across different political contexts of both established and emerging democracies


Syllabus

The first part of the module examines the normative assumptions underlying modern journalism and how they are related to competing models of democracy. The second part analyses the causes and consequences of mediated politics. In particular, we will discuss the structure of news, the media's role in electoral politics and the communication strategies of political parties and governments. Topics include democracy and communication 1: from Athens to Westminster; democracy and communication 2: deliberative democracy – ideal and practice; news between facts and fiction; politicians and the press 1: friends or foes?; politicians and the press 2: populism, popular culture and the transformation of politics; citizens and the media 1: voting behaviour; citizens and the media 2: a spiral of cynicism?; and mass media and public policy making.

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 (13 hours preparation per class: 143 hours) and prepare for an oral presentation (15 hours). The remaining private study time should be dedicated to thinking about, preparing and writing the required essays (60 hours each).

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 typeNotes% of formal assessment
Literature Reviewcritical evaluation of a key debate in mediated politics (2,000 - 2,500 words)35.00
Essay3,500-4,500 word essay65.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

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: 26/04/2017

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