Communication and Governance

Subject POLS40003 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points:

12.50

Level:

4 (Undergraduate)

Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 1, Parkville - 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. If enrolments exceed 30, the 2nd hour of the seminar may be split into 2 or 3 small classes.
Total Time Commitment: Not available

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, or Master of Social Policy.

Corequisites:

none

Recommended Background Knowledge:

Politics and International Studies or Sociology at Undergraduate level

Non Allowed Subjects:

166-413 Network Society

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/

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, 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 (10%) due mid-semester, and a research essay of 4500 words (90%) due in the examination period.
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:	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:
Related Course(s):	Bachelor of Public Policy and Management Bachelor of Public Policy and Management(Honours) Master of Public Policy and Management (Coursework)
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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