Course summary
Interrogate the status quo with leading academics who don’t just talk and write about politics, but actively campaign to create change in the world
- All around us governments are in crisis, protests are on the increase, dissent and mobilisation is widespread and relayed across the world instantaneously on a screen. Communication is at the very heart of the structures, institutions and actors that give meaning to politics in governments, in parties and on the street.
- How do we live our politics on a daily basis? Who holds the power to influence political decisions that structure our lives? How might democracy be done better? What is the relationship between politics, the individual, institutions and the media? These are the kinds of questions we’re asking on this programme.
- And we take an expansive view, so you’ll learn about politics and communications not just as a singular discipline, but as a subject that’s much more nuanced, moving across everything from governments and parties to NGOs and activists; from economic and environmental policy and conflict representation, to issues of race, gender, social theory and popular culture.
- Alongside traditional lectures and seminars we also do workshops and research exercises to reflect on how political communications are part of the rituals and rhythms of our daily lives and how this is influenced by others.
- As part of the programme you may also be tasked with designing and pitching your own political campaign. We use these kinds of exercises because we think it’s only by actively engaging with political communications that we can better understand how it is part of our everyday lives.
- We’re active not passive so this course isn’t just about having our heads in books, it’s about applying ideas to the real world. We’ll expect you to be reading the news every day because we want you to engage with what’s happening and unravel it.
- There are also opportunities to interact with industry experts, get involved in live campaigns and collaborate with people coming from all over the world. We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive environment and offering an open door throughout your time with us. At Goldsmiths the conversations are always just starting.
- The Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies has been ranked 2nd in the UK for 'world-leading or internationally excellent' research (Research Excellence Framework, 2021) and 12th in the world (2nd in the UK) in the 2022 QS World Rankings for communication and media studies.
Modules
The programme’s core curriculum will address a range of contemporary issues, debates and theory in political communication, including work on: comparative media systems theories of communication and democratisation global media, international governance and transnational communication economic, financial and industrial policy digital media and online politics media sociology and news production political parties, party ideologies and party-member dynamics public relations, political marketing and spin government communication systems and media management media audiences, effects and agenda-setting public opinion and public sphere debates interest groups, social movements and alternative media advocacy, civil society and public affairs new technologies and the information society citizenship and public engagement the policy process and government decision-making politics and culture social theories of power, culture and communications Theory is usually applied to a number of case study areas on, for example: conflict and war; elections; social and environmental debates; foreign affairs; the economy, finance and business; crime and disorder. Theory and discussion is always related to current events and debates. Structure The MA in Political Communications is built up of modules that must count up to 180 credits. The programme comprises: Two compulsory modules taught in the Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies (60 credits in total) A personal dissertation project involving first-hand empirical research, worth 60 credits 60 credits' worth of option modules chosen Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies or from other departments including Politics and International Relations Compulsory modules The Structure of Contemporary Political Communications 30 credits Critical Perspectives on Political Communications 30 credits MA Political Communications Dissertation and Research Methods 60 credits Option modules Media options We offer a wide range of option modules each year. Politics options You can choose to take option modules from other departments including Politics and International Relations. Recent examples of Politics modules include: The Political-Economic Governance of the European Union 30 credits Risk in Contemporary Politics 30 credits Global Political Cultures 1: Knowledge, Power and Culture 15 credits Theories of International Relations 30 credits Government and Politics of the European Union 15 credits Continental Political Theory 15 credits Global Political Cultures 2: The Body Gender and Politics 15 credits *Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.
Assessment method
The MA is assessed primarily through coursework essays and written projects. Practical modules may require audiovisual elements to be submitted. It will also include a dissertation of approximately 12,000 words.
Entry requirements
You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in a relevant/related subject. If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Sponsorship information
AHRC funding may be available.
Provider information
Goldsmiths, University of London
New Cross
Lewisham
SE14 6NW