University of Technology Sydney

54095 Government and Political Communication

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a 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 2021 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Communication: Public Communication
Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10246-C10251, and Category Type = Bachelor's Degree OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10252-C10263, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10264 Bachelor of Global Studies OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10269 Bachelor of Sound and Music Design OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10270 Bachelor of Sound and Music Design Bachelor of Arts International Studies OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10311 Bachelor of Arts Communication (Creative Writing) OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10312-C10313, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10314 Bachelor of Arts Communication (Digital and Social Media) OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10315-C10316, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10317 Bachelor of Arts Communication (Cultural Studies) OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10318-C10319, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10332-C10337, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined 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 (Creative Writing) OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10370 Bachelor of Communication (Creative Writing) Bachelor of Arts 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-C10383, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10276 Bachelor of Music and Sound Design OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10277 Bachelor of Music and Sound Design Bachelor of Arts International Studies OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10434-C10439 OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10425 Bachelor of Music and Sound Design Bachelor of Languages and Cultures OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10405 Bachelor of Communication (Creative Writing) Master of Teaching Secondary Education
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.

Description

Citizens in contemporary societies are immersed in government and political communication, from election campaigning and activist communication to anti-smoking drives and road safety promotions. This subject explores the practices, ethics and assumptions underpinning political and government communication, while clearly demarcating the differences between the two. It looks at the role of 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 'spin', and the impacts of spin on the public sphere and public debate. Students critically analyse contemporary issues and how they are understood and represented by different stakeholders. They produce a communication product based on their research.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

a. Compare and contrast government communication and political communication
b. Analyse multiple perspectives on a relevant issue
c. Critically reflect on communication practices
d. Identify stakeholders for an issue in the public sphere
e. Synthesize 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:

  • Possess a well-developed awareness of professional practice in the context of the communication industries (1.1)
  • Apply theoretically informed understanding of the communication industries in independent and collaborative projects across a range of media (1.2)
  • Possess information literacy skills to locate, gather, organise and synthesise information across diverse platforms to inform the understanding of the communication industries (2.1)
  • Be reflexive critical thinkers and creative practitioners who are intellectually curious, imaginative and innovative, with an ability to evaluate their own and others' work (2.2)
  • Possess the awareness of ethical practice in the personal, political and professional contexts of civil society (5.1)
  • Possess the skills to behave ethically in personal and professional contexts (5.2)
  • Possess well-developed skills and proficiencies to communicate and respond effectively and appropriately across different contexts (6.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

Classes will incorporate a range of teaching and learning strategies including short presentations, videos, role plays, case studies and discussions online. Students are expected to actively collaborate in group work designed to encourage multiple perspective-taking. Students learn through original research, discussion and analysis. Ideas are tested in collaborative workshops and tutorials before Assessment due dates to enable students to receive formative feedback from both other students and their tutor.

Content (topics)

Students will explore methods of government and political communication; differences and similarities in the two practices; functions and dysfunctions; models of democracy and political participation that frame government and political communication; the public sphere as well as public ‘sphericles’; the importance of voice and listening; silence and marginalisation of some groups; politicisation of government communication; threats to democracy and government trust and legitimacy such as ‘spin’ and propaganda; new approaches such as e-democracy and e-government; the relationship between politics, government and media; ‘mediatisation’ and what it means; and the role and activities of lobby groups and activist organisations. The subject will include examination of examples of political campaigns and government communication campaigns such as health and road safety promotion; public education and social marketing and, as well as lectures and tutorials, will include guest speakers from politics, government, lobby groups, and activist organisations who will share their practical experiences of government and political communication.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Contemporary issue presentation

Objective(s):

a, b, c, d, e and f

Weight: 30%
Length:

15 minutes for each group
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Clarity of explanation of contemporary issue 15 a 2.2
Insightfulness of analysis of communication in this contemporary issue 15 c 1.2
Application of a clear and appropriate theoretical framework for issue selection and analysis 15 c, e 2.2
Accuracy of stakeholder identification and explanation 15 d 2.2
Range of perspectives provided on the issue 20 b 5.2
Clarity and organisation of information in the presentation on communication for the identified issue 20 f 6.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Critical review of practice

Objective(s):

a, c, d and e

Weight: 40%
Length:

2,000 words
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Insightfulness of critique of the ‘client’s’ communication campaign, its objectives and appropriateness given the political and social context. 20 a 1.1
Depth of analysis of the role played by the client’s communication strategy, including whether the client was engaged in government or political communication 20 a, c 2.1
Clarity of explanation of the organisation’s contribution to the public sphere in terms of public interest and democracy 15 a, d 5.1
Relevance of concepts and theories from the academic literature used to support analysis 20 e 2.2
Conciseness and engaging style 15 e 6.1
Accuracy of UTS Harvard referencing and adherence to the word limit 10 e 6.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Applying theory to practice

Objective(s):

a, b, c, d, e and f

Weight: 30%
Length:

Communication product: 1,000 words

Brief report: 750 words
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Clarity of rationale for choice of client for the communication ‘product’ 10 c 1.2
Depth of analysis of stakeholders for the product 15 b, d 1.2
Relevance of perspectives and information from panel presentations 15 c 2.1
Integration of research into the analysis 20 a, c, e 2.2
Coherence of communication product argument and discussion 20 c, e, f 6.1
Clarity of written expression 15 f 6.1
Accuracy of UTS Harvard referencing and word limit 5 f 6.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

Classes are based on a collaborative approach that involves essential work-shopping and interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor.

In this subject assessment tasks are cumulative so that each task builds understanding and/or skills, informed by formative feedback. Consequently, all assessments must be submitted in order for you to receive feedback. Students who do not submit all assessments will not pass the subject.

Required texts

E-readings will be provided for this subject.

References

Bennister, M. 2012, Prime Ministers in Power: Political Leadership in Britain and Australia, Palgrave McMillan, Basingstoke, UK

Canel, M., & Sanders, K. 2012, ‘Government communication: An emerging field in political communication research’ in H. Semetko & M. Scammell (eds.), The SAGE Handbook of Political Communication, Sage, London, UK, pp. 85-96.

Craig, G. 2003 'Living with Spin: Political and Media Relations in Mediated Public Life', Southern Review: Communication, Politics and Culture, Vol.36, No. 3, pp 82-91.

Dahlberg, L. 2014, ‘The Habermasian public sphere and exclusion: An engagement with poststructuralist-influenced critics’, Communication Theory, Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 21-41.

Dahlgren, P. 2009, Media and Political Engagement: Citizens, Communication, and Democracy, Cambridge University Press, New York.

Dahlgren, P. 2013, The Political Web: Media, Participation and Alternative Democracy, Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan.

Demetrious, K. 2013, Public Relations, Activism and Social Change, Routledge, Kentucky USA.

Fairbanks, J., Plowman, K., & Rawlins, B. 2006, ‘Transparency in government communication’, Journal of Public Affairs, Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 23-37.

Gillard, J., 2014, Julia Gillard: My Story, Vintage Books, Australia.

Graber, D. 2003, The Power of Communication: Managing Information in Public Sector Organizations, CQ Press, Washington, DC.

Graber, D. (ed.) 2011, Media, power in politics, 6th ed., CQ Press, Washington DC.

Gregory, A. 2012, ‘UK government communications: Full circle in the 21st century’, Public Relations Review, Vol. 38, No. 3, pp. 367-375.

Harris, P. & Fleisher, C. (eds) 2005, The Handbook of Public Affairs, Sage, London.

Habermas, J. 2006, ‘Political communication in media society: Does democracy still enjoy an epistemic dimension? The impact of normative theory on empirical research’, Communication Theory, Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 411-426.

Howard, J. 2010, Lazarus Rising: A Personal and Political Autobiography, HarperColins Publishers, Pymble, NSW.

Jackson, S. 2016, The Australian Greens: From Activism to Australia's Third Party, Melbourne University Press, Carlton, Vic.

Kelly, P., 2009, The March of Patriots: The Struggle for Modern Australia, Melbourne University Press, Carlton, Vic.

Kelly, P., 2014, Triumph and Demise: The Broken Promise of a Labor Generation, ?Melbourne University Press, Carlton, Vic.

Kent,, J., 2009, The Making of Julia Gillard, Viking, Camberwell, Vic.

Lee, M. 2014, ‘Government is different: A history of public relations in American public administration’, in B. St John, M. Lamme, & J. L’Etang (eds), Pathways to Public Relations: Histories of Practice and Profession, Routledge, pp. 108–127.

Louw, E. 2010, The media and political process, 2nd ed., Sage, London, UK & Thousand Oaks, CA.

Macnamara, J. 2012, ‘Democracy 2.0: Can social media engage youth and disengaged citizens in the public sphere’, Australian Journal of Communication, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 65-86.

Macnamara, J. & Kenning, G. 2013, ‘E-electioneering 2013: An analysis of social media and online communication in the 2013 Australian federal election and comparison with the 2007 and 2010 elections’, Australian Centre for Public Communication, University of Technology Sydney, October. Available at https://www.uts.edu.au/ sites/ default/ files/ fass-acpc-e-electioneering-2007-13-report.pdf

Macnamara, J. & Kenning, G. 2014, ‘E-electioneering 2007-2014: Trends in online political communication over three elections’, Media International Australia, No. 152, pp. 57-74.

Macnamara, J. 2015, ‘Creating an “architecture of listening” in organizations: The basis of engagement, trust, ethics, healthy democracy, social equity, and business sustainability’, University of Technology Sydney, June. Available at http://www.uts.edu.au/ sites/ default/ files/ fass-macnamara-organizational-listening.pdf

Mills, S. 2014, The Professionals, Black Inc., Collingwood, Vic.

Sanders, K., & Canel, M. (eds) 2014, Government Communication: Cases and Challenges, Bloomsbury, Broadway, NY.

Strangio, P., 't Hart, P. & Walter, J. 2017, The Pivot of Power: Australian Prime Ministers and Political Leadership 1949-2016. The Miegunyah Press, Carlton, Vic.

Street, J. 2001, Mass Media, Politics and Democracy, Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan.

Strömbäck, J. & Kiousis, S. (eds) 2011, Political Public Relations: Principles and Applications, Routledge, New York & London.

Tham, J. 2010, Money and Politics: The Democracy We Can’t Afford, University of NSW Press, Sydney. Viewed

Turnbull, N. 2007, ‘Perspectives on government PR’, in S. Young (ed.), Government Communication in Australia, Cambridge University Press, Port Melbourne, Vic., pp. 113-129.

Watson, D. 2002, Recollections of a Bleeding Heart: A Portrait of Paul Keating PM, Random House, Milson's Point, NSW

Wolff, M. 2018, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, Little, Brown, London.

Young, S. (ed.) 2007, Government Communications in Australia, Cambridge University Press, Melbourne, Vic.

Other resources

Use of appropriate software for the production of the communication product in Assignment 3.