Strategic Political Communication

Subject MECM90010 (2014)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2014.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2014.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: This subject will be taught intensively from 9:00am - 5:00pm on 20, 21, 23, 24 January 2014.
Total Time Commitment:

Total of 120 hours

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge:

Media & Communication, Politics and International Studies or Public Policy at Undergraduate level

Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Subject Overview:

This subject examines the strategies used by political actors to communicate with a focus on political, public and government communication. Topics covered include theories of political communication and how news media cover politics, ‘spin’ and PR methods used by politicians to manage the media, political advertising, political oratory, government communication and broadcast political interviews.


Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this subject students should:

  • be able to demonstrate understanding of key studies and major theoretical frameworks deployed in the analysis of strategic political communication;
  • be able to critically analyse the relationship between media and political processes;
  • be able to demonstrate an advanced understanding of how communication operates within and across various political, public and government contexts.
Assessment:

A project consisting of 1000 words (20%) due a week after the intensive period, and a written essay of 4000 words (80%) due in early March.

Hurdle Requirement: As this is an Intensively-taught subject, Lecture/Seminar attendance is compulsory on all 4 days. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject students should:

  • be able to demonstrate an advanced capacity for critical, analytical and independent thinking in both theoretical and practical contexts of debate and interaction;
  • be able to demonstrate competence in advanced library searches and information retrieval;
  • be able to demonstrate conformity to academic protocols of presentation and research procedures.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts (Honours)(Media and Communications)
Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Administration (Enhanced)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: 100 Point Master of Global Media Communication
100 Point Master of Public Policy and Management
150 Point Master of Global Media Communication
150 Point Master of Public Policy and Management
200 Point Master of Public Policy and Management
Governance, Policy and Communication
Governance, Policy and Communication
Media and Communications
Public Policy and Management
Public Policy and Management

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