Communicating Politics G (11627.1)

Please note these are the 2025 details for this unit
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Communicating Politics G
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods Online
On-campus
Online real-time
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Arts And Design
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
School Of Arts And Communications Graduate Level Band 2 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905)
This unit introduces contemporary issues in strategic political communication. It examines diverse political and media systems, and how various actors engage and operate in a global digital environment. How and why politicians, media and citizens shape and influence public opinion and political outcomes is scrutinised. It appraises the roles and networks of political communication professionals, including government communication, on the global and national stage. The unit deconstructs the way politicians and media professionals think, and how strategy impacts on political discourse and policy outcomes.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Compare and critique current global political and media systems that influence political communication;
2. Analyse dynamics between key actors in the political communication system, identifying rhetoric, bias and agendas;
3. Interpret and apply knowledge of political and media systems to lobbying and election campaigning; and
4. Deconstruct strategic and tactical political communication with reference to local and global Indigenous connective action.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2025 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2024 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 05 February 2024 Online Dr Caroline Fisher
2024 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 05 February 2024 On-campus Dr Caroline Fisher
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 03 February 2025 Online real-time Dr Caroline Fisher
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 03 February 2025 On-campus Dr Caroline Fisher
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

All required readings for the unit will be provided on the library course reading list or directly on the Canvas site.

There are several texts that are drawn on consistently by the unit. While reading them in their entirety is not compulsory, they are recommended as further readings for those interested in more detail or seeking a deeper understanding of the topics and assessments covered in this unit. They are available through the library.

- Chadwick A (2017) The hybrid media system: Politics and Power. New York: Oxford University Press.

- Davis, Aeron (2023) Political Communication: An introduction in crisis times

- Lees-Marshment, Conley, Elder, Pettitt, Raynald, Turcotte (2019) Political Marketing: Principles and Applications. New York, London: Routledge (3rd edition)

- McNair B (2018) An Introduction to Political Communication. New York, London: Routledge. (6th edition)

- McNair et al. (2017) Politics, Media and Democracy in Australia. Routledge.

- Van Aelst P and Blumler J (2022) Political Communication in the Time of Coronavirus. New York, London: Routledge.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Please see Canvas for details about the submission of each assessment.

Special assessment requirements

You are required to attempt all assessment items to pass this unit. 

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and 69蹤獲 (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

In this unit, you are assessed on your engagement and participation in online discussions with your colleagues. If you do not participate, you will not be able to pass Assessment 1.

Required IT skills

You are required to have basic word processing and internet skills. If you choose to pre-record a video presentation you will be expected to do so using your own resources. Video recording skills will not be taught in this unit.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

Stay up to date: To succeed in this unit you will need to stay up to date with major political events in your own country and Australia. Please read, watch or listen to the news and current affairs to keep abreast of major issues.

Reading: This is an MA unit and therefore you are expected to complete any set reading prior to class.

Citation conventions: please use Harvard or APA7th for all intext referencing. 

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