| CODE | PPG3004 | ||||||
| TITLE | Media and Politics | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Policy, Politics and Governance | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Political communication can be placed as either an art or a science. On the one hand, understanding and interpreting the way communication works and how people respond to it is a scientific phenomenon. On the other hand, to be able to communicate in a precise manner to influence and inspire the public requires talent involving the arts. Founded on this duality of art and science, this study-unit explores the rapidly evolving function of mass and digital communication in political life. Lectures cover both the traditional modes of communication, including rhetoric and oratory, both in writing and in speeches, as well as their adaptations to the innovative channels of online and social media platforms and image-based politics. Study-Unit Aims: Effective communication is at the core of any politician or political activist skills鈥� portfolio who aspires to put across his/her messages, as well as influence and inspire public perception. This study-unit aims to provide students with theoretical and applied knowledge to understand how traditional and online media channels influence political discourse and, in turn, are influenced by it. The study-units also aims to instil ethical standards and conduct in both content and form of political communication, in a context characterized by a susceptible public to persuasive techniques due to rampant fake news and social media targeting and manipulation. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Explore the art and science involved in the form and content of political communication; - Decipher the political content of the mass media; - Examine the impact of media coverage of politics on audiences; - Identify falseness and manipulative tactics in political messages; - Apply high ethical and moral standards when engaged in script/speech writing, as well as when being involved on social media platforms. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Develop fundamental skills in media analysis; - Foster a skills鈥� set that is complimentary to persuasive politics; - Be committed to ethical conduct when engaging in political communication. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Van Aelst, P. & Walgrave, S. (Eds) (2017), How Political Actors Use the Media: A Functional Analysis of the Media鈥檚 Role in Politics. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Access provided by University of Malta Library. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Practicum | ||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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