CJB303 Political Communication

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit surveys the theory and professional practices of political and governmental communication, especially through journalism, media and communications industries. It examines contemporary and historical political issues and communications in Australia and internationally from the perspectives of democratic theory, media influence, strategic image, and issue management. The unit comprises an overview of theoretical approaches to political communication, the construction of political discourse, and the mobilisation of audiences/voters; an understanding of the relationship between communication strategies and the management of politics, with cases drawn from Australian and international politics. Students will develop the capacity to critically appraise strategic issues such as political persuasion, electoral strategy, uses/impacts of digital and social media, and public opinion formation and to create messages about issues connected to politics and government.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an applied understanding of key political structures and institutions and how they shape political discourse and associated communication practices.
2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the main democratic functions performed by the media.
3. Demonstrate an applied understanding of how theories of political communication and popular culture inform politics, parliament, and political campaigns.
4. Apply knowledge and communication skills in a variety of contexts and modes relevant to political communication.
5. Engage in critical, creative, and analytical thinking in relation to the theory and practice of political communication.

Content

Learning Approaches

The unit combines lectures, tutorials, and readings with activities designed to promote your conceptual understanding of political communication strategies. A series of weekly study questions and readings will guide your study and class discussion.

You will be expected to complete any prescribed self-study, including readings out of class, and in preparation for subsequent classes.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

• You will gain formative feedback on your progress during tutorial exercises and discussions throughout the semester.
• You will gain written feedback on Assessment Items 1 and 2.

You will gain formative feedback throughout the semester.

Assessment

Overview

The formative assessment approach of ongoing class activities enables learners to become confident evaluators of the progress of their own work and of the work of others. The assessment is designed to be challenging, realistic and meaningful. An authentic approach to assessment is taken and assessment is linked to the courses' content and outcomes. Assessment outcomes demonstrate applied and critical understanding of the key content.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Group Presentation

You will conduct an oral presentation in class time about a political communication topic in groups of approx. five students (depending on overall class size). The presentation will address the theme and readings that have been prescribed for your chosen week, plus do additional work to further understand the topic, such as find examples and case studies to explain and illuminate the themes. Group members’ performance will be assessed individually, accompanied by an overall assessment of how individuals cohere as a group. To help evaluate your individual performance and groupwork, you will submit a brief written summary of your presentation (e.g., your PowerPoint notes or a dot point summary) with references and will complete a 'peer evaluation sheet' that will accompany the written summary.

Assessment: Critical engagement and professional dialogue

This task requires you to demonstrate your developing critical communication skills and capacity for professional dialogue through your participation in peer group discussion exercises within your tutorial sessions.

These critical discussions will relate to unit content, readings, and key concepts; expectations for how you contribute through the semester will be clearly outlined in the assessment criteria sheet.

Assessment: Take-Home Examination

For assessment 3, you will complete a two-part take-home examination.

In section 1 of our take-home examination, you will need to provide a 200-300 word response to five questions on course content from across the semester that has been delivered during the lectures and via Canvas.

In section 2 of the examination, you will provide a lengthier (1,000-1,500 word) response to one question of your choice from a list of two options.

You will be provided with the exact exam questions via Canvas prior to the due date in May.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages.

You will be advised if a unit requires additional mandatory health and safety inductions.  

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Cushion, S. & Thomas, R. (2018). Reporting Elections: Rethinking the Logic of Campaign Coverage. Cambridge: Polity Press.

McNair, B. (2017). An Introduction to Political Communication. 6th edition. Oxford, New York: Routledge.

Recommended text(s)

Schapals, A. K.; McNair, B.; Bruns, A. (2019): Digitizing Democracy. New York: Routledge.

Risk Assessment Statement

For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information.

You are advised to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.

Please be advised that this unit may include the presentation and scholarly analysis of material and subject matters that may be considered confronting, such as certain representations of race, class, gender and violence. QUT counselling support is available should you feel the need to avail yourself of these services.

Course Learning Outcomes

KC40 Bachelor of Communication

1. Demonstrate capacity to understand and critique the historical, cultural, technological, and regulatory implications of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Group Presentation, Take-Home Examination
2. Demonstrate capacity to engage with and apply specialised knowledge of one or more areas of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries, including the relationship between disciplinary theory, research methodologies, and professional practice.
   Relates to: ULO3, ULO5, Group Presentation, Critical engagement and professional dialogue, Take-Home Examination
3. Demonstrate capacity to engage with and apply diverse ways of knowing the world in local and global contexts, including Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives.
   Relates to: ULO3, Group Presentation, Take-Home Examination
4. Demonstrate effective communication skills with the ability to adapt strategies across different media and professional settings and for diverse audiences.
   Relates to: ULO4, Critical engagement and professional dialogue, Take-Home Examination
5. Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise complex forms of information and evidence to inform decision-making, problem solving and argumentation.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO5, Group Presentation, Critical engagement and professional dialogue, Take-Home Examination
6. Critically interrogate the economic and cultural power of digital media, communication, entertainment, and news to make ethical, sustainable, and inclusive contributions to diverse workplaces, communities, and audiences.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO4, ULO5, Group Presentation, Critical engagement and professional dialogue, Take-Home Examination