Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

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Aims

This module aims:
To provide a synergy between theoretical and practical knowledge that furthers academic development and informs professional practice.

To provide students with knowledge and an understanding of the structures, functions and underlying principles of public administration at national and international levels.

To provide students with a critical understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and the role of the media in democratic processes.

To develop an ability to identify, evaluate and investigate political debates and issues.

To provide students with a critical understanding of political communication and the role of media and PR institutions in public administration.

To understand the role of different media within particular social and ideological contexts.

To critically reflect on the reporting of major political issues and events.

To write academically, critically and intellectually through a combination of academic and journalistic sources.

To understand past, present and future concerns regarding the relationship between media and political institutions.

This module introduces students to levels of organisation within UK politics and those of transnational institutions such as the European Union and the United Nations. The module provides students with the information needed to comprehend democratic and governmental processes that shape public administration. Case study examples will be used from selected nations and regions to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the parallels and differences between them. Students explore the role of the media within governmental and democratic processes and reflect on the political communicative issues that journalists, politicians and the public face in transnational contexts.

Outline Of Syllabus

•       Journalism, politics and public institutions
•       The Leveson Inquiry, press regulation, and journalism ethics
•       Citizenship and decision-making processes
•       The British Constitution: origins and reform; parliamentary system;
•       The political process: parties, elections, legislative process, the executive;
•       Devolution: The political processes and structures of devolution in UK regional assemblies: (Scotland, N. Ireland and Wales), key issues in news media coverage of devolution;
•       European Union: Origins, institutional structure, debates and issues
•       Media coverage of the EU and debates about membership
•       Structures, functions, and issues concerning the United Nations
•       Humanitarian intervention and media coverage of international conflict
•       The National Health Service: Historical background and current debates
•       International Healthcare: Debates, issues and the role of private enterprise

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

• A broad knowledge of structures of public administration as they apply to the production of news
and current affairs;
• A broad knowledge and understanding of access, rights and restrictions to journalistic reporting on
public institutions;
• An in-depth appreciation of the ethical issues surrounding reporting on public institutions, access to
information and freedom of expression;
• To understand and critically evaluate the major principles of the British constitution including the
role and function of Parliament and central government departments;
• Understand and critically evaluate the structure, role and function of local government and other
public bodies in England and Wales, including the powers of elected representatives and
committees;
• Define the role and powers of the European Union including the major Treaty obligations, and of
other transnational institutions;
• Apply the law which governs the reporting of public affairs in the writing and editing of fair and
accurate reports for publication.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Subject specific & professional skills:
• The skills and knowledge needed to report on public institutions and the workings of government.
• An ability to apply key principles and concepts in journalism to the context of public administration.
• An ability to challenge constraints imposed by restricted access to information relating to public
administration, at transnational, national and regional levels, and to understand and be able to
exercise rights of access to such information.
Cognitive Skills:
• A competence in appraising the role of the media in relation to the rights and responsibilities of
citizens in relation to freedom of information, and human rights as they apply to journalists.
• An ability to interpret and report on the structures, roles and functions of public organisations.
Key skills:
• An ability to develop and apply techniques of researching and writing in the political context of
public administration.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lectures in the module will introduce and analyse the concepts, problems and issues involved in comprehending the structures, functions and forms of political institutions and their relationship with the media. Seminars will provide students with a framework in which to develop further thinking beyond lectures whilst demonstrating their knowledge of weekly readings. Students will be expected to reapply theoretical and practical frameworks covered in lectures to international case studies and/or cross-cultural contexts. Students will develop and be able to identify their professional skills and to enhance them in the context of advanced professional study, employability, or career. Classes will mix formal instruction experiences with informal advice and workshop sessions. Case studies will vary from year to year in order to remain current and topical.

The assessment strategy will be presented to the students as an opportunity for them to demonstrate their knowledge of public administration and news reporting through structured systematic argument and some a strong understanding of case study material.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessment strategy will be presented to the students as an opportunity for them to demonstrate their knowledge of public administration and news reporting through structured systematic argument, theoretical knowledge and independently researching case study material. The assessment methods relate closely to key elements in the module’s outline of work (above). The assessments are designed to allow students to develop critical and analytical skills whilst demonstrating the institutional awareness necessary for journalistic practice. Students are given the opportunity to debate ideas and evaluate work by established journalists.

General Notes

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