Political Communication

Code:

CC049

Acronym:

CP

Instance: 2010/2011 - 2S

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

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
CC	12	Plano Oficial a partir de 2008/2009	2	-	5	52	135

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

Bezzon, Lara C. ; Comunicação, Política e Sociedade, Alinea, 2005
Hallin, Daniel C. and Mancini, Paolo; Comparing Media Systems : Three Models of Media and Politics, Cambridge University Press, 2004
Negrine, Ralph; The Communication of Politics, , London:Sage, 1996
Norris, Pippa; Virtuous Circle: Political Communication in Post-Industrial Societies, Cambridge University Press, 2000

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

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	52,00
	Trabalho laboratorial	42,00
	Exame	40,00
	Exame	1,00
	Total:	-	0,00

Eligibility for exams

1. Written test
2. Field work report
3. Prepare and present a research assignment on the topics suggested
4. Attendance (mandatory attendance of 75% of classes, unless established otherwise in the FLUP Assessment Regulations) and active participation in classes.

Mandatory attendance of theory-practice classes: 75% of classes
A minimum score of 8 (out of 20) in each assessment elements

Calculation formula of final grade

Field work report – 20%
Research assignment – 40%
Written test– 40%

Examinations or Special Assignments

In accordance with the regulations of the Faculty of Arts.

Classification improvement

Upon completion of theory/practical assignments.