POL2093 : Politics, Participation and Citizenship in the Digital Age (Inactive)
POL2093 : Politics, Participation and Citizenship in the Digital Age (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Judy Murray
- Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
This course will explore the changing practice of politics, political participation and citizenship in an increasingly digital environment. The aims in this module are to enable students: to gain a grasp of theories and methodological approaches to the study of political participation, political communication and government service delivery in the digital age, to critically examine these theories and methodologies related to the digital environment, and to assess the legal and ethical issues emanating from increasing dependence on ITCs in the political sphere.
Outline Of Syllabus
Topics taught will be drawn from the following:
1. The historical trajectory of the study of political communication:
a. Walter Lippmann and original conceptions of media influence in politics
b. Harold Lasswell and The Institute of Propaganda
c. Paul Lazarsfeld and the Limited Effect Model
d. Jack McLeod et al. and the Agenda Setting Model
e. Non linear theoretical approaches to ‘new media’ i.e. sender-message-receiver versus interactivity and audience participation
2. ‘Democracy requires political knowledge’: The relationship between political communication, information acquisition and political participation
a. constructionism, cognitive ability, and socio demographic factors
b. The numerous platforms of news delivery
c. The fall of traditional news gatekeepers
d. News ‘specialization’ and emerging bias
e. Changing the day to day demands of politics and politicians
f. Instant responses and immediate demands – realistic?
3. Web 2.0
a. WEB 2.0 as a ‘game changer’ in political activity
b. Features of Web 2.0
c. The emerging digital narcissism and the role of ‘experts’
4. Social media and political engagement
a. Quality of participation
b. Potential for polarization
c. Self-filtering of information
d. The concept of cocooning
5. ICTs and their role in changing the structure and dynamics of public opinion and perception
a. Crowdsourcing public opinion
b. Public agenda setting power
c. Motivating collective action
d. The role of social context
6. ‘Alternative’ political participation assisted by ICTs:
a. Participation by diasporas
b. Enabling transnational politics
c. Political parties and ‘virtual’ overseas party branches
d. Campaigning/Fundraising
e. The role of cyber NGOs, non-profits and foundations
7. E-Government, E-Democracy and E-Voting
a. Online government services: streamlined, cost saving and ineffective?
b. Citizen as consumer
c. Digital Civics defined
d. E-voting, E-registration: expanding or shrinking the franchise?
8. The changing repertoire of civil disobedience
a. Electronic civil disobedience
b. Hacktivism
c. Publishing private information
d. Denial of service attacks (DDoS)
9.The digital divide and equality of access
a. Global divides and local divides
b. Socio economic factors etc.
10. Legal challenges for emerging technology
a. Privacy
b. Security
c. The concept of functional equivalence
11.The future of digital technologies.
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
Intended knowledge outcomes include:
1. An understanding of the main theories of political communication, participation and new media
2. An understanding of the changing nature of politics and participation in the digital age
3. An understanding of contemporary debates concerning the promise, benefits and challenges posed by information and communication technologies in the political sphere
Intended Skill Outcomes
Intended skill outcomes include:
1. To develop oral communication through seminar participation
2. To develop written communication through assessment
3. To develop critical and analytical ability
4. To actively engage in digital technology
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 21 | 1:00 | 21:00 | N/A |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | N/A |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | N/A |
Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 164:00 | 164:00 | N/A |
Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lectures introduce students to the key themes of the module. The seminars allow for participation by students in clarifying and exploring key ideas and issues. These help to develop critical-analytical and oral communication skills. Blog posts and essays help to develop critical-analytical skills and written communication skills. Planning and organisational skills are developed throughout module.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
Written exercise | 2 | M | 30 | Students will be required to write 3 blog posts between 500 and 750 words in length. |
Essay | 2 | M | 70 | 2,500 words |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Blog posts engage the student with current trends in political communication and new engagement practices in digital media. These will also reinforce understanding of topical issues presented in lectures and seminars. Essays allow students to research, interpret and present sources and information concerning theories of political communication, participation and citizenship in the digital age. Moreover, essays assess critical thinking, written communication and argumentation. Weighting towards the essay allows the blog post activity to fulfill a formative function of giving the student feedback and the opportunity to develop their skills further.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- POL2093's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- POL2093's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
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