Module: Political Communication 1: Concepts & Issues

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Political Communication 1: Concepts & Issues
Module Code	MCO1050 (ITS: CM548)
Faculty	Communications	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

The module will introduce students to some of the key theories and debates in the field of political communications while developing an understanding of political communication scholarship that can be applied to contemporary events and issues. The module will examine the role of news media in political communication and will explore relevant theories to understand the interplay between politicians, media and the public.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically analyse political communication scholarship from a range of academic sources in order to demonstrate an understanding of the discipline;
2. Assess theoretical approaches to understanding the public sphere and the role of political communication in the creation of an informed citizenry;
3. Identify the ways in which politicians, media and citizens engage to shape public policy;
4. Identify how political decision-makers and opinion leaders influence policy outcomes by framing issues in specific ways and seek to control media agendas;
5. Assess the role of different models of broadcasting on the public sphere and evaluate the issue of media ownership and market regulation.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lecture
Independent Study	226	Independent learning time/library/assignment
Lecture	24	Lecture
Independent Study	226	Independent learning time/library/assignment
Total Workload: 500

Section Breakdown
CRN	11007	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Alessio Cornia	Module Teacher	Kevin Rafter

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Essay 1 (1,700 words)	40%	Week 8
Assignment	Essay 2 (2,500 words)	60%	Sem 1 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Topics
• Public Opinion • Political Media and Models of Media and Politics • Media Effects • Leadership • Media and Political Corruption • Celebrity Politics • Election campaigns • Political Advertising • 'Fake News' and Disinformation • Populism and Political Communication

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Brian McNair: 2018, An Introduction to Political Communication, Sixth edition, Routledge,
Aeron Davis: 2019, Political Communication: A New Introduction for Crisis Times, Polity,
Richard Perloff: 2014, The Dynamics of Political Communication, Routledge,
Ralph Negrine and James Stanyer: 2007, The Political Communication Reader, Routledge, 9780415359368

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None