AIP781 - Political Communication: Public Watchdog Or Propaganda Machine?
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Maria Rae |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour online seminar per week |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
New communication technologies have paradoxically made us more connected than ever and yet more sharply divided along political lines. In the era of fake news and post-truth politics, what role does political communication play in a democracy? Does it serve as the people’s watchdog against the corruption of power or as a propaganda machine pedalling spin and soundbites. This unit examines the interplay of communication and politics in different liberal democracies, such as the US and in Europe, and across eras from the printing press to the Twitterverse. Drawing on theories of the public sphere and the political economy model, it analyses how politicians, lobby groups, the public sector and activists engage with the media to shape opinion and the policy agenda. It considers how political leaders have become celebrities, why government advertising can be effective and whether traditional media is dead. During this unit, students will identify a communication problem and learn how to create a solution with their own media campaign or strategy. Students will also benefit from developing a strong understanding of the vital and complex role that political communication plays in contemporary politics.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Conduct extensive research and critically evaluate political communication theory as it applies to real-life problems and be able to devise comprehensive solutions to address these | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO2 | Communicate political ideas to a public audience through the creation of discerning social and written media, based on an informed evaluation of the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of political communication | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication |
| ULO3 | Undertake a reflective analysis of the ability to identify and critique political communication issues as they relate to theory and practice and the skills to design and develop effective approaches to address these | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO6: Self-management |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Journal | 1500 words or equivalent | 30% | Week 3 and 9 |
| Assessment 2: Research and Writing Exercise | 1000 words or equivalent | 20% | Week 6 |
| Assessment 3: Essay | 2500 words or equivalent | 50% | Week 11 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for AIP781 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
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Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
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