Course summary
This programme in Political Communications offers teaching that is critical, innovative and diverse. It combines theory with practical, applied elements, and draws on a range of research and contemporary examples. The programme covers political communication from national and international level, down to the local and personal – from governments and parties, to NGOs and local acitivist groups. You'll have the opportunity to engage with cultural, alternative and digital, interactive communication as well as traditional mass media. 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. Develop your critical thinking This dynamic programme offers critical engagement, asking difficult questions about politics, economic policy, society and the media. You will not only gain an understanding of the forms and impacts of political communications. It will also help you contextualise that knowledge in relation to the structures, institutions and actors that are at the heart of politics and media.
Modules
The Postgraduate Certificate in Political Communications aims to provide students with a systematic understanding of the interactions between political actors, communication industries and the public in contemporary societies. Specifically, the programme will equip students with in-depth knowledge of the importance of communication in the political process and of how, in a democratic polity, political institutions and others seek to communicate with the public and vice-versa. For the main part, this will lead to a concentration on the role of the mass media but other forms of political communication - including the techniques of marketing, polling, face-face interaction and internet campaigning - will also be studied. However, the knowledge and skills acquired in such a study will have far broader applications. Students completing this programme will gain a range of tools that will enable them to analyse social and communicative interactions in the public sphere and to make judgements about future modules of action based on this understanding. The programme will provide students with: Knowledge of the history and development of political communications with a international emphasis; An understanding of the theoretical debates that have informed the study of political communications; An awareness of both dominant and alternative models of interaction between political actors, communicators and the public; An overview and insight into current debates - both academic and professional - within the field In addition, the programme will also provide students with practical skills and insights that will enable them to: Undertake a range of tasks in relation to the planning and commissioning of political communications work from within various public and private bodies; Commission political communications work from within public and private sector bodies or on behalf of clients; Analyse political communications activity from and academic and journalistic perspectives. Compulsory Modules The Structure of Contemporary Political Communications Critical Perspectives on Political Communications Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.
Assessment method
6,000 word essays, or equivalent, for each of the core modules.
Entry requirements
Applicants will normally have, or expect to gain a first degree of at least upper second class standard (or equivalent). International qualifications We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world. 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. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.
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.
Provider information
Goldsmiths, University of London
New Cross
Lewisham
SE14 6NW