Political Communication I, Essay

The students can understand the interdependence between politics and the media. Students recognise how the media influences the political agenda and how politicians make use of the media for their own ends. The students can analyse the role of the media in electoral campaigning as well as the personalisation and privatization of politics.

Interaction between politics and media; mediatization of politics; the
role of mass media and social media in election campaigns; politicians’
media performance skills and communication competencies.

An essay is an extended piece of (academic) writing on a particular topic or theme that you carefully analyze. You must always contact the responsible teacher of the study unit before starting to write the essay. With the responsible teacher you should discuss and agree on the theme and scope of the essay, the book(s) it will compensate for, and its length. Furthermore, the examiner must approve the bibliography before you can start writing. Citations, references and the bibliography need to be marked and listed in accordance with good scientific practice (see further instructions from the Politics’ Guide to Writing Academic Papers).

You can find the Guide to Writing Academic Papers here (detailed instructions for writing essays on page 7).

Compulsory Prerequisites

• Introduction to Political Science, POL.102, 5 cr

McNair, An Introduction to Political Communication. 6th Edition. Routledge 2018 (3 ECTS)

and

Isotalus, Mediapoliitikko. Gaudeamus 2017. (2 ECTS)

or

Kunelius, Noppari & Reunanen, Media vallan verkoissa. Tampereen yliopisto 2010. (2 ECTS)

or

Laaksonen, Matikainen & Tikka (eds.), Otteita verkosta -Verkon ja sosiaalisen median tutkimusmenetelmät.  Vastapaino 2015) (2 ECTS) (also e-material)

For alternative literature in English, please contact the teacher in charge.

General scale, 0-5

• POL.VO-M20 Intermediate Studies in Political Science, Open University Studies
• YHTOPPIOAY Social Studies for Subject Teachers, Open University Studies