Political Communication

This subject is not offered in 2008.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject examines the role of communication systems in the constitution of contemporary political and social life. It pays particular attention to the new modes and means of political communication given the developments in information technologies and global reach. It introduces students to a number of different approaches to the understanding and analysis of political communication in the information age. The subject explores substantive topics such as political consultants and spin-doctoring; civic malaise; political scandal; distant emotion; cyberdemocracy; and shock-jock politics. On completion of this subject, students should have an understanding of a number of the key configurations of contemporary political communication.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;

• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;

• be able to communicate knowledge ideologically and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

• be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision;

• be able to participate in team work through small group discussions.