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MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
Politics and the Media
Reference CBM036 Version 2
Created January 2020 SCQF Level SCQF 11
Approved February 2019 SCQF Points 15
Amended June 2020 ECTS Points 7.5

Aims of Module
To equip students with an understanding of the structures of political power and governance in the UK; the relationship between political communication and journalism; and the role of both in promoting and/or hindering democratic participation, transparency and accountability.

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1 Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the broad constitutional and political structure, systems of governance and public administration in the UK - at local, devolved, national and international levels.
2 Identify and define the ethical, legal and political frameworks within which political communicators and commentators (journalists) and interest groups operate.
3 Distinguish between different forms and functions of political communication, media management and commentary/journalism.
4 Critically evaluate the role played by political communicators and public affairs practitioners, the effectiveness of political campaigns and communication strategies, and the ethics and efficacy of lobbying.
5 Relate professional practice in the field to theoretical concepts from academic literature.

Indicative Module Content
UK constitution, systems of governance and public administration at local, devolved, national and international levels. Relationship between political communicators/actors, institutions/structures and the media. Political marketing, special advisers and spin, lobbying, briefings, censorship and propaganda. Political advertising, image and celebrity politics. Concepts and theories of public sphere, spectacle, media effects, audience reception and public opinion.

Module Delivery
The module will be delivered by a combination of formal lectures, seminars and guest speakers. Students are expected to prepare for seminars and contribute to the discussion of the topics. Distance learning students are expected to participate actively on the online discussion threads.

Indicative Student Workload Full Time Part Time
Contact Hours 36 N/A
Non-Contact Hours 114 N/A
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours N/A N/A
TOTAL 150 N/A
Actual Placement hours for professional, statutory or regulatory body    

ASSESSMENT PLAN
If a major/minor model is used and box is ticked, % weightings below are indicative only.
Component 1
Type: Coursework Weighting: 100% Outcomes Assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Description: Individual Written Assessment

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
The calculation of the overall grade for this module is based on 100% weighting of C1. An overall minimum grade D is required to pass the module.
Module Grade Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
A The student needs to achieve an A in C1.
B The student needs to achieve a B in C1.
C The student needs to achieve a C in C1.
D The student needs to achieve a D in C1.
E The student needs to achieve an E in C1.
F The student needs to achieve an F in C1.
NS Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination

Module Requirements
Prerequisites for Module None.
Corequisites for module None.
Precluded Modules None.

ADDITIONAL NOTES
Students will be expected to consult a range of journals and media sources to complement and maintain their knowledge of current affairs. These may include: Campaign, PR Week, New Statesman, Prospect, Vanity Fair. Journals: Political Communication, Journal of Public Affairs. Further reading is available via Aspire.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 BRANTS, K. and VOLTMER, K., 2011. Political communication in postmodern democracy . Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
2 HERMAN, S. and CHOMSKY, N., 1995. Manufacturing consent: the political economy of the mass media . London: Vintage.
3 McNAIR, B., 2016. An Introduction to political communication . 6th ed. London: Routledge.
4 MORRISON, J., 2017. Essential public affairs for journalists . 5th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
5 SAVIGNY, H., 2017. Political communication: a critical introduction . London: Palgrave.
6 VAN ZOONEN, L., 2005. Entertaining the citizen: when politics and popular culture converge . Oxford: Rowman and Littlefield.
7 ZETTER, L., 2014. Lobbying: the art of political persuasion . London: Harriman House.
8 HARDING, J., 2009. Alpha dogs: how political spin became a global business . Kindle ed. Penrhyn: Atlantic Press.

Robert Gordon University, Garthdee House, Aberdeen, AB10 7QB, Scotland, UK: a Scottish charity, registration No. SC013781