52699 Government and Political Communication
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10264 Bachelor of Global Studies, and Category Type = Bachelor's Degree OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10359 Bachelor of Communication (Digital and Social Media) Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10361-C10364, and Category Type = Bachelor's Degree OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10365-C10368, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10369 Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10370 Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) Bachelor of International Studies OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10371 Bachelor of Communication (Digital and Social Media) OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10372-C10377, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10434-C10439, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10451 Bachelor of Communication (Media Business) OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10452 Bachelor of Communication (Media Business) Bachelor of International Studies OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10454 Bachelor of Communication (Media Business) Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 54095 Government and Political Communication
Description
Citizens in contemporary societies are immersed in government and political communication, from election campaigning and activist communication to health promotion and road safety campaigns. This subject explores the theories and practices of political and government communication, including ethical considerations, while clearly demarcating the differences between the two. It looks at the role of strategic communication in democratic citizenship and participation, including examining the rise of alternative and emerging public spheres, especially those that exist primarily online, and the rise of e-government and e-democracy. It explores misinformation and disinformation and the impacts of these practices on the public sphere and public debate. Students critically analyse contemporary issues and how they are understood and represented by different stakeholders.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | Identify critical differences and similarities between government communication and political communication |
|---|---|
| b. | Analyse multiple perspectives on an issue relevant to government and political communication |
| c. | Critically reflect on protocols and practices associated with government and political communication |
| d. | Identify stakeholders for an issue in the public sphere |
| e. | Synthesize pertinent academic literature and original research |
| f. | Prepare written material and present to a professional standard |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
- Act in a professional manner appropriate to communication industries (1.1)
- Apply theoretically informed understandings of communication industries to independent and collaborative projects across a range of media (1.2)
- Act as reflexive critical thinkers and innovative creative practitioners who evaluate their own and others' work (2.2)
- Analyse and act ethically in the personal, political and professional contexts of civil society (5.1)
- Exemplify effective and appropriate communication in different communication industry contexts (6.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject includes examination of examples of contemporary political campaigns and government communication campaigns. Through lectures, tutorials and online activities, the subject includes guest speakers from politics, government, lobby groups, and activist organisations who share their practical experiences of government and political communication. Students create government and or political communication materials from different perspectives. Classes incorporate a range of teaching and learning strategies including videos, role plays, case studies and discussions. Students learn through original research, expert panels, discussion and analysis. Ideas are tested in collaborative workshops and tutorials before assignment due dates to enable students to receive formative feedback from both other students and their tutor.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Quizzes
| Objective(s): | b, c and e | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 20% | ||||||||
| Length: | Five randomised questions in each quiz (10 questions total). | ||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Public Policy Issue Analysis
| Objective(s): | a, b, c, d and e | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Producing Political Communication Materials
| Objective(s): | a, c, e and f | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | Four communication products= 1,000 words (roughly 200 words each with an accompanying rationale for the four products) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
None.
Required texts
E-readings will be provided for this subject.