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Making News and Making Policy: The Media and Politics

Unit code: HAPM226/HAPM326

Credit points12.5 Credit Points
Duration1 Semester
Contact hours3 Hours per Week
CampusHawthorn
PrerequisitesNil
CorequisitesNil

Related course(s)

A unit of study in the Bachelor of Social Science , Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology), Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) . This unit of study may be taken at Stage 2 or Stage 3.

Aims and objectives

After completing this unit of study students should have developed an understanding of:

  • The role of the mass media in advanced industrial societies;
  • How the media reports national and international politics;
  • How contempory political elites operate in media environments;
  • The debate about the impact of the media on mass political attitudes.
    Students should also have developed their skills in research and communication.

Teaching methods

Lectures and Tutorials

Assessment

Stage 2 - Tests, Class presentation, 2500 word essay. Stage 3 - Tests, Class presention, 3000 word research report.

Generic skills outcomes

Students will develop their ability to:

  • Undertake independent research.
  • Evaluate contrasting views on controversial issues.
  • Provide full, accurate and verifiable documentation of their claims.
  • Communicate ideas clearly and effectively.
  • Undertake advocacy in relation to both government and the mass media.

Content

This unit of study explores the political influence of the media and political and economic elites through a critical examination of the 'Propaganda Model' developed by Chomsky and Herman. This involves examining how news is produced, arguments about bias, and about the extent to which the media shape political attitudes. It includes case-studies of coverage of national Australian and international political events.

Reading materials

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