Dr Nick Anstead

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Politics and Communication. This course is not available as an outside option.

None.

The aim of the course is to examine the relationship between the media and political processes in comparative perspective. It offers a critical review of key aspects of contemporary theory and research in political communications, examining a range of interconnected issues concerning the relationship between politics and media including: the political influence of the media; the concept of public opinion; the effects of election and referendum campaigning; data-driven political communication; populism and democracy; and public diplomacy in international relations.

10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars in the AT.

This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of term.

All students are expected to complete advance reading, prepare student-led seminars in small groups, and submit one 1500 word essay.

• Bennett, W. L. & Segerberg, A. 2012. The Logic of Connective Action: Digital Media and the Personalization of Contentious Politics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Chadwick, A. 2013. The Hybrid Media System: Politics and Power. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Davis, A. 2019. Political Communication: A New Introduction for Crisis Times. London: John Wiley & Sons.
• Klinger, U., Kreiss, D., & Mutsvairo, B. (2023). Platforms, power, and politics: An introduction to political communication in the digital age. Polity.
• Nielsen, R. K., & Ganter, S. A. (2022). The power of platforms: Shaping media and society. Oxford University Press.

Podcast suggestion

• The Democracy Paradox Podcast (2020-present). A wide array of theorists and political scientists talking about various topics related to democracy. https://democracyparadox.com/the-democracy-paradox-podcast/

Essay (100%, 3000 words) in the WT.