MA Political Communication

Year 1

(Award available for year: Master of Arts)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the programme students should have shown evidence of being able:
- comprehend the depth and scope of political communication as a field enquiring the complex relationship between the media and modern politics;
- show sophisticated understanding of the key debates in political communication and critically evaluate the validity of competing approaches;
- critically reflect on the way and extent to which the media interact with, influence, and are influenced by political processes and institutions;
- acquire the necessary research skills to carry out high-quality research on postgraduate level and apply them independently and creatively to specific research questions.
- understand key innovations in the practice and study of political communication
- communicate complex ideas effectively both to an academic and non-academic audience
- demonstrate ability to apply knowledge of political communication in the design of a local campaign strategy
- demonstrate additional expertise and an understanding of contemporary research, in one or more designated areas of the field

Transferable (key) skills

Masters (Taught), Postgraduate Diploma & Postgraduate Certificate students will have had the opportunity to acquire the following abilities as defined in the modules specified for the programme:
- the skills necessary to undertake a higher research degree and/or for employment in a higher capacity in industry or area of professional practice;
- evaluating their own achievement and that of others;
- self direction and effective decision making in complex and unpredictable situations;
- independent learning and the ability to work in a way which ensures continuing professional development;
- critically to engage in the development of professional/disciplinary boundaries and norms.

Assessment

Achievement for the Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the programme and will involve the achievement of the students in:
- demonstrating the ability to apply breadth and/or depth of knowledge to a complex specialist area;
- drawing on a range of perspectives on an area of study;
- evaluating received opinion;
- make sound judgements whilst understanding the limitations on judgements made in the absence of complete data.