Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2018 - CMNS 432 J100

Political Communication, Public Opinion and Political Marketing (4)

Class Number: 2966

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Mon, 5:30–9:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    75 units including at least two CMNS or DIAL upper division courses.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines the core paradox of the political discourse in a democratic society today. Despite rising levels of education and citizen access to 24-hour news, public affairs and contemporary forms of satire, voting turnout in most advanced democracies is declining. We look at how politics is defined and meaning is mediated within the communicative public sphere during and between elections. Students with credit for CMNS 486 under this topic may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Overview:

This seminar course examines the core paradox of political discourse in a democratic society today.  Despite rising levels of education and citizen interest in 24-hour news and contemporary forms of satire, voting turnout in most advanced democracies is declining, and the majority (two in three) of young voters under the age of 25 choose not to vote.  We look at how politics is defined, and meaning is mediated, within the communicative public sphere during and between elections.  Is politics good entertainment?  To what extent are formal political systems increasingly by-passed by social media or by other modes of public assembly?

We look at the insider and outsider worlds of the spin-doctors, political journalists, strategists and speechwriters; and raise questions of moral ethics.  What are “good” politics and “bad” politics?  Conversely, what makes “good” political communication that empowers citizens, allows collective decisions, enables sustainable democracies, and mediates extremism?  And how does one pass judgements about “bad” political communications, that demobilize citizens, deceive political actors, or drive wedges amongst peoples to help the powerful preserve power?

This seminar places a strong emphasis on engaging with political discourse by participating in discussion, analyzing rhetoric and writing opinion pieces.  It is open to students taking the Dialogue Minor.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Course Objectives:

(1)       To enable students to identify the principal institutions, interests, and actors in political communication.
(2)       To explore rhetoric, political marketing, and the political (dark/light) arts of persuasion.
(3)       To produce two short, expressive pieces of political writing: a speech, and an editorial.
(4)       To write an advanced academic argument.
(5)       To create space for summative self–reflection on the craft of political communication.

Grading

  • To be finalized in the first class.
  • Seminar Participation 25%
  • Mid-Term Speech (In-Class 5-7 Minutes) 20%
  • Op-Ed Piece (750 Words) 20%
  • Final Paper (20-25 Pages) 35%

NOTES:

A minimum 2.25 CMNS GPA and 2.00 overall CGPA, and approval as a communication student is required for entry into most communication upper division courses.  

The school expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable relation to established university-wide practices with respect to both levels and distribution of grades. In addition, the School will follow Policy S10.01 with respect to Academic Integrity, and Policies S10.02, S10.03 and S10.04 as regards Student Discipline.  [Note: as of May 1, 2009, the previous T10 series of policies covering Intellectual Honesty (T10.02), and Academic Discipline (T10.03) have been replaced with the new S10 series of policies.]

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings will be made available on Canvas.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS