Communication and Governance

Subject 166-413 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points:

12.50

Level:

4 (Undergraduate)

Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.

Pre-teaching Period Start	not applicable
Teaching Period	not applicable
Assessment Period End	not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol	not applicable
Census Date	not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail	not applicable

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.

Time Commitment:

Contact Hours: A 2-hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: 2 contact hours/week , 8 additional hours/week. Total of 10 hours per week.

Prerequisites:

Admission to the postgraduate certificate/ diploma or fourth-year honours in political science, sociology, international politics, public policy and management or the Master of Public Policy and Management, Master of Social Policy or Master of International Politics.

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

None

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 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

Coordinator

Dr Michael Crozier

Contact

Dr. Michael Crozier

mcrozier@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:	This subject critically investigates the changing forms of governance in democratic polities in the wake of the informational age. Using communication as a central analytical category, the subject considers how democratic political systems are coping with increasing societal dynamism, diversity and complexity. It explores and critically examines the proposition that contemporary governance is essentially a communications challenge. The types of issues covered include the impact of information dynamics on political and social patterns, the proliferation of strategic communication practices, the media democracy thesis, democratic deficits and public consultation, and leadership as crisis management. On completion of this subject students should have a critical understanding of key configurations of contemporary governance as communication.
Objectives:	have acquired a critical understanding of contemporary governance systems; have a fundamental grasp of key problems in theories of informational society; have an appreciation of the role of communication in social organization; have developed the basic analytical skills to evaluate differing theoretical perspectives; have a good familiarity with differing research approaches to political and social inquiry.
Assessment:	A research essay proposal of 500 words, due one week after the presentation, worth 10%; and a research essay of 4500 words, due in the examination period, worth 90%.
Prescribed Texts:
Breadth Options:	This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:	be able to apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry; be able to develop persuasive arguments on a given topic; be able to communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively and articulately.
Notes:	Formerly available as 166-481, 166-066 and 166 413. Students who have completed 166-481, 166-066 or 166-413 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.
Related Course(s):	Bachelor of Public Policy and Management Bachelor of Public Policy and Management(Honours) Master of Global Media Communication Master of International Politics Master of Public Policy and Management (Coursework) Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Media and Communication)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	International Politics International Politics International Studies Political Science Political Science Political Science Public Policy and Management Public Policy and Management Sociology Sociology Sociology

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