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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "CMS 324"
COURSE NAME: "Political Communication"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2014
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Lorenzo Coretti
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 6:00 PM 7:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course aims at providing a theoretical background of research in political communication, with a focus on the historical development of the research field, from classical rhetoric to online campaigning.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course is divided in six sections. The first section focuses on the theoretical background, history, structure, and diversity of political communication research. The second section considers studies about framing processes of political message, from classical rhetorical modes and propaganda to political advertising and debates. The third section concentrates on the relationship between politics and media. The fourth will illustrate issues about news media coverage, public opinion and the audiences. Section Five offers international perspectives on political communication, with the inclusion of European and Asian approaches. The final Part provides an account on the ever-developing relationship between new technologies, campaigning, and activism. Moreover, student will be provided of case studies about the campaigns implemented by Barack Obama in 2008 and the Italian “5 star Movement” in Italy in 2012-2013.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of the course the student will be able to:
- Develop an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of the field
- Assess the different theoretical overviews and research approaches
- Understand how political communication processes take place and the relationship of power between different actors in the same processes
- Recognize critically the impact of Information and Communication Technologies on the field
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Attendance and Participation | | 20% |
| Mid-Term Exam | The exam may include short essays and open-ended questions | 40% |
| Group Project | Students will present an analytical case study on a political campaign (50%) + an in-class report over the case study (50%) | 40% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the cours
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Students are expected to attend all scheduled class meetings presented in the course outline. Grading will be also based on active class participation with the major emphasis on the quality of your attitude and contribution and not the quantity. If you come to class with the intention of being a “spectator,” than you may expect to see your final course grade lowered by as much as 10%. In this class, students are encouraged and expected to be a part of this class and not apart from it.
Please also refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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PART 1 – Theories and research Approaches
1. What is Political Communication? An introduction to the field
Reading: Handbook Introduction (p. xiii)
2. Theoretical Diversity
Chapter 1 by Everett M. Rogers
3. Political Marketing
Chapter 2 by Bruce I. Newman and Richard M. Perloff
4. Methodological developments in Political Communication Research
Chapter 3 by Doris A. Graber
PART 2 – The Political Message
5. Rhetoric and Politics
Chapter 6 by Bruce E. Gronbeck
6. Political Advertising
Chapter 7 by Lynda Lee Kaid
7. Political Campaign Debates
Chapter 8 by Mitchell S. McKinney and Diana B. Carlin
PART 3 - News Media Coverage of Politics, Political Issues, and Political Institutions
8. News Coverage of Political Campaigns
Chapter 9 by Girish J. Gulati, Marion R. Just, and Ann N. Crigler
9. Agenda-Setting Research: Issues, Attributes, and Influences
Chapter 10 by David Weaver, Maxwell McCombs, and Donald L. Shaw
10. Gatekeeping and Press–Government Relations
Chapter 11 by W. Lance Bennett
11. Review Session
12. Introduction to Projects
13. Politics, Governments and Privacy: Part 1
Guest Speaker: Prof. Simon Davies
14. Politics, Governments and Privacy: Part 2
Guest Speaker: Prof. Simon Davies
15. Mid-term Exam
16. The Presidency and the Media
Chapter 12 by Amy McKay and David L. Paletz
PART 4 - Political Communication and Public Opinion
17. The Spiral of Silence and the Social Nature of Man
Chapter 13 by Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann and Thomas Petersen
18. Knowledge as Understanding
Chapter 14 by Mira Sotirovic and Jack M. McLeod
PART 5 - Political Communication & The Internet
19. Screening: Enemy of the State
20. Social Movement Theory
Della Porta, D., and Diani, M. (2006) Social Movements. Introduction (Available on MyJCU)
21. Online Social Movements
Kavada, A. (2010), ‘Activism Transforms Digital: The Social Movement Perspective’ in M.Joyce (ed.) Digital Activism Decoded: The New Mechanics of Change, New York& Amsterdam: International debate education association, pp.101-118.
PART 6 - New Trends in Political Communication Channels and Messages
22. Communication in the Digital Age
Chapter 19 by John C. Tedesco
Dahlgren, P. (2005). The Internet, Public Spheres, and Political Communication: Dispersion and Deliberation. Political Communication, 22:147–162.
23. Re-Programming Communication Networks (Obama 2008)
Manuel Castells, Communication Power, Chapter 5
24. The Politics of Spectacle (5-Star Movement 2012-2013)
Christian Ruggiero, Forecasting in the Politics of Spectacle, From Berlusconi to Grillo: The Narrative of Impolite Politics
25. Presentations (1)
26. Presentations (2)
27. Final review Session
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