Strategic Political Communication (PPMN90057)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject focuses on the strategies used by political actors to communicate with a focus on political, public and government communication in comparative perspective. Within the framework of this subject, students will engage with diverse and topical case studies illustrating successes and failures in political communication, ranging from the United States Presidential elections to local and regional campaigns that made headlines. Students will work together to solve communication 'crises' inspired by real-life scenarios and design an effective communication campaign under limited temporal and material resources. These activities will put students in a role of a political strategist and give them a first-hand experience of adapting to ever-changing situations in medium- to high-risk political environments.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who complete this subject should be able to:
- Apply theoretical knowledge to deconstruct real-world successes and failures in political communication and develop effective solutions to simulated communication crises
- Analyse how (social) media shape electoral and policy processes in different local, national and international contexts
- Design comprehensive political communication campaigns, considering diverse audiences, limited resources and evolving situations that require adaptability and strategic thinking
- Identify the complexities and ethical considerations involved in the role of a political strategist.
Generic skills
Students who complete this subject should be able to:
- Demonstrate critical, analytical and independent thinking
- Utilise databases for sourcing appropriate information for various purposes
- Assess quality of information and sources.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Media & Communication, Politics and International Studies or Public Policy at Undergraduate level
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Group-based solution to a crisis scenario (4 to 5 students per group) (15 minutes presentation)
| From Week 5 to Week 11 | 20% |
Individual reflection on group-based assignment
| From Week 6 to Week 12 | 30% |
Individual design of a campaign strategy
| During the examination period | 50% |
| Hurdle requirement: As this is an Intensively-taught subject, Lecture/Seminar attendance is compulsory for all classes and regular class participation is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Benjamin Leruth Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours: a 2-hour seminars for 12 weeks of semester. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
Dr Benjamin Leruth: benjamin.leruth@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
Total 170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025