Political Communication

Code:

CC049

Acronym:

CP

Instance: 2011/2012 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Journalism and Communication Sciences
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Communication Sciences

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Political Communication aims to attract students wishing to understand the dynamic interaction between communication and politics, and its implications in terms of the future of democracy in the world. The course unit introduces the main approaches in the scientific field, and focuses on key notions and concepts such as: construction of the political reality by the media, the impact of the media in political directions and civic participation, power relations between the media and the political actors, information management and political journalism.

Program

1- Introduction
1.1 - General considerations
1.2 - Theory-conceptual framework
1.3 - Methodologies
2- Themes for political communication
2.1 - Infotainment
2.2 - The increasing professionalization of information and the use of spin doctors
2.3 - The personalisation of politics
3. Strategic communication
4. Communication campaigns and political marketing
4- The impact of the media in politics
5.1-Media coverage of wars and conflict resolution
5.2- International disasters and humanitarian crises
5.3- The media and foreign policy
5.4- Management of high-profile scandals involving politicians
5.5- Terrorism
6. Political journalism

Mandatory literature

Canel, Maria José; Comunicacón Política, Tecnos, Madrid, 2006. ISBN: 84-309-4440-0
Norris, Pippa; Virtuous Circle: Political Communication in Post-Industrial Societies, Cembridge University Press, 1999
Bernays, Edward ; Propaganda, Mareantes Editora, 2005. ISBN: 972-8808-11-9

Teaching methods and learning activities

In the theory-practical classes, a combination of expository classes (with the projection of videos), students’ participation and practical application of knowledge acquired by students, in both the field work and the resulting group assignment according to the course programme, plus its oral presentation. Tutorials are designed for the development of activities related to individual research assignments.

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	52,00
	Exame	2,00
	Trabalho escrito	81,00
	Total:	-	0,00

Calculation formula of final grade

Final Exam : 70%
Work: 30%

Examinations or Special Assignments

In accordance with the regulations of the Faculty of Arts.

Classification improvement

In accordance with the regulations of the Faculty of Arts.