Module: Political Communication 2: Campaigns & Strategies

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Political Communication 2: Campaigns & Strategies
Module Code	MCO1056 (ITS: CM5962)
Faculty	Communications	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module examines elections and political campaigns with a focus on communication strategies utilized to influence public opinion.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a substantial understanding of the evolution of political campaigning and the relationship between campaign discourse, candidate discourse and public opinion
2. Demonstrate an understanding of campaign effects and campaign management including the role of leadership
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of marketing and advertising in the formation of political communication strategies
4. Assess efforts to improve the ethics of campaigning and the role of finances and lobbying
5. Assess the effectiveness of both ‘traditional’ media and digital media as central forces in political campaigning
6. Identify the ways in which civic and political engagement are affected by different approaches to conduct of the electoral process

Total Workload: 0

Section Breakdown
CRN	20698	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Kevin Rafter	Module Teacher	Mark O'Brien

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Participation	n/a	10%	n/a
Group assignment	n/a	40%	n/a
Essay	n/a	50%	n/a

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None