Course coordinator
Dr Elena Block
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Communication & Arts School
COMU3222 examines how individuals and groups communicate about political ideas, processes and themes, and the communication strategies and tactics they use to put their messages across. Political communication is strategic communication on politics. It aims to study how political and media players get themes into the political agenda to build power, identity, and community through communication.
COMU3222 explores the world of political communication, a multi-level field of study and practice that encompasses the complex web of political and media discourses staged by different political actors and engaged audiences in the public arena. This course critically explores discursive and practicalﾠinteractions between:ﾠ(a) politicians, political institutions and political communication strategists and consultants; (b) media & social media organizations, journalists, bloggers, and pundits; (d) multilateral and non-government organisations, lobby, non-profit, advocacy, activist, and pressure individuals and groups; and (d) politically engaged and connected citizens. Thus, from different perspectives and with different aims, all these political communication actorsﾠaimﾠto have a voice and influenceﾠthe public agenda in increasingly complexﾠand mediatized multicultural and diverse settings and times.ﾠﾠ
Course requirements
Assumed background
This course is designed for third yearﾠ students. It is assumed that you are equipped withﾠ critical thinking,ﾠ academic writing and referencing capabilities. It is also assumed that you are familiar with basic personal computer applications andﾠdigital and social media platforms. You are encouraged to take advantage of short training programmes provided by the ﾠUQ Library,ﾠStudent Support,ﾠDigital Essential Modules ﾠand ﾠworkshops in media production provided by the School of Communication and Arts's MaPSﾠ team. Please note that ﾠAPA 7thﾠreferencing styleﾠis required for COMU3222 assignments. More information on Blackboard. Contact the course coordinator to discuss any concerns.ﾠ
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Elena Block
Tutor
Ms Eloise Cicero
Mr Regan Neal
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Whilst every effort is made to place students in their preferred activity, it is not always possible for a student to be enrolled in their tutorial of choice. If you require assistance, please ensure that you email timetabling.commarts@enquire.uq.edu.au from your UQ student email with:
- Your name
- Your student ID
- The course code
- A list of three tutorial preferences (in order of preference)
- Reason for the change – e.g. timetable clash, elite athlete status, SAP
Teaching staff do not have access to change tutorials or help with timetables; all timetabling changes must be processed through the Timetabling Team.
Aims and outcomes
The course aims to help make sense of political communication processes, events and power relations pervading our physical and digital everyday life. COMU3222 aims to inspire you to build knowledge and get an understanding of the different roles played by political and media actors and institutions, civil society and ordinary citizens, as well as the communication strategies such actors employ to represent themselves, their ideas and proposed policy, which, with various levels of influence, contribute toﾠshape the public agenda.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand and discuss political communication as a field and as a practice.
LO2.
Understand and evaluate the role and uses of speech, political campaigning, lobbying and activism to promote ideas and discourses, manage issues, and advocate for policy and causes.
LO3.
Understand the role and uses of all forms of communication (news media, social media platforms, and different types of physical and online events) employed in political communication work (e.g. electoral campaigns and polls; speeches; debates; government policy decisions; lobby/advocacy papers) to persuade, mobilise audiences, and shape the agenda.
LO4.
Research and analyse the political communication literature, policy papers, and advocacy actions to plan, write and present individually or in groups speeches, case study reports, and communication campaigns consistent with the course content and UQ standards.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation |
Presentation and Written Report
|
25% 7-minute pitch and 1000-word report |
Week 5 - Week 11
Oral Presentations: In person in tutorials from Week 5 to Week 11. Written Report: Submit by 4 pm on the day you present. Although not ideal, Week 11 presentations may also leave some room for students that could not present earlier. |
| Quiz |
Quiz on Key Concepts - Living in a populist world?
|
15% 60-minute quiz |
7/04/2025 - 9/04/2025
The quiz will be open for 48 hours from Monday 7 April at 10 am until Wednesday 9 April at 10 am |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Case Study / Briefing Paper | 30% 1200 words |
29/04/2025 4:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation, Portfolio, Role play/ Simulation |
Political Communication Campaign
|
30% 15-minute pitch and 1500-word portfolio |
10/06/2025 4:00 pm
Pitch: In person in Week 12 tutorials. Portfolio: Submit by 4pm 10 June 2025. 'Specified' submission date because the both, Pitch and Portfolio, are components of the same assignments marked using the same rubric. |
Assessment details
Presentation and Written Report
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation
- Weight
- 25% 7-minute pitch and 1000-word report
- Due date
Week 5 - Week 11
Oral Presentations: In person in tutorials from Week 5 to Week 11.
Written Report: Submit by 4 pm on the day you present.
Although not ideal, Week 11 presentations may also leave some room for students that could not present earlier.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
This assignment involves an oral tutorial presentation and a written report and may be developed and showcased individually or in pairs. If you decide to work in pairs you are encouraged to execute the last piece of assessment (Political Communication Campaign) with the same partner. During the first and second tutorial students will select partners and themes.
The task: You are asked to research and present one of the themes discussed in weekly lectures from weeks 1 to 10. You will use an "argument map" to develop the topic and its pitch. You will prepare an in-class presentation that will take place in tutorials between weeks 5 and 11 (ideally 2 groups/individuals per week - max. 3). You will select one of the topics discussed by the lecturer during one of the previous weeks to the week when you aim to present. If a topic needs to be presented by two groups/individuals, it should be approached from a different angle, or sub-theme. What matters is that the approach to the topic is original or authentic, from a different perspective to the way it was presented in the lecture. The originality of the presentation will be provided by two items: (a) explaining how the argument map was used to develop the presentation (b) an original real-life case or example from Australia or other country of your choice (as a way of illustration or support). Further instructions and exercises about the argument map and examples in lecture and tutorials, and on Blackboard.
This assignment involves two tasks:
- A 7-minute oral pitch whereby students will use the argument map (graphically presented in a slide) to provide a well-informed and supported critical reflection about the selected theme/concept/topic. Students will be the 'experts', the teachers. The aim is to trigger an in-class discussion about the suitability, relevance, and/or usefulness of the chosen theme to understand today's political communication events. Presenters should be prepared to answer questions from their peers and tutor. Students will support the content in their presentations on three sources: (a) weekly recommended academic reading; (b) a real-life case or example drawn from recognised news media journalistic outlets and/or government documents, from Australia or other country, that is relevant or illustrates the concept. You must avoid using the same examples used in the lecture; and, (c) you must explain the concept using the 'argument/mind map' (pasted to a word doc or slide). This map may be done by hand (and copied to the slide) or via digital tools that will be provided in the lecture. The mind map will be evaluated through the 'knowledge' criterion' in the rubric. Presentations will be recorded.
- The same pitch in writing, fully referenced (APA) and illustrated by your mind map pic and other relevant visuals (e.g., from the example used). This paper must be submitted via Turnitin. Note that a 7-minute presentation is equivalent to approximately 1000 words or two pages (approximate equivalence). More information on Blackboard.
Note 1: You must include a minimum of three academic references whereby your must demonstrate your direct engagement with some of the course readings. The written version will be submitted via Turnitin. Team members submit the same paper. Please write the team members’ full names and surnames (as in the class list) on the cover, your topic and presentation week on the report’s cover. Although team members will submit the same report, they must submit the assignment individually (Turnitin does not facilitate group submissions).
Note 2: We will practice this assignment in tutorials where we will compare the quality and accuracy of real life political communication cases found via generative AI vs. cases found via traditional research (mainly by researching the academic and professional literature). We understand that you may use content that may involve AI and/or Machine Translation (MT) tools in your presentation. All, the literature, AI and MT tools MUST be referenced (APA 7th) when you use them in your assignment. A failure to reference academic literature, AI and MT tools may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Recording of Oral and Practical Assessment
- All presentations will be recorded for marking purposes via recording facilities available where the assessment takes place (eg. ECHO360, Zoom, camera device)
- Recordings will be retained by the School of Communication and Arts for at least 12 months from the release of the final grade for the course.
- Recordings will be stored in a secure manner and will only be accessed by authorised school staff for the purposes of:
- Moderation of marking;
- Provision of feedback to the student(s) recorded; and/or
- Re-marking following a successful re-mark application.
Submission guidelines
Presentations: In person in tutorials from Week 5 to Week 11.
Report: Submit via TurnItIn on Blackboard by 4pm on the day you present. Team members submit the same paper. Please write the team members’ full names and surnames (as in the class list) on the cover, your topic and presentation week on the report’s cover. Although team members will submit the same report, they must submit the assignment individually (Turnitin does not facilitate group submissions).
TurnItIn Receipts:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial.
When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can:
- View the name of the submitted file
- View date and time of the upload
- Resubmit your paper (if necessary)
- Download your submitted paper
- Download digital receipt.
If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached.
Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
This presentation component of this assessment task is to be completed in person. Students are NOT able to apply for an extension via the Unitask portal for the presentation. Please contact your tutor/course coordinator directly to see if alternative arrangements are available.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Quiz on Key Concepts - Living in a populist world?
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 15% 60-minute quiz
- Due date
7/04/2025 - 9/04/2025
The quiz will be open for 48 hours from Monday 7 April at 10 am until Wednesday 9 April at 10 am
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
This quiz is about some of the key concepts that frame and shape today's political communication environment. It consists of 5 questions (open-ended and multiple choice) that will involve a critical knowledge of democracy, communication, civility, populist communication and other concepts or themes that are salient in the contemporary political vocabulary. To answer the quiz you will study and reflect upon the concepts and themes discussed in lectures and tutorials, and also provided in the "Political Communication Glossary" (available on Blackboard). It is recommended that you read the weekly material (lecture slides, textbook chapters, journal articles, guest lecture slides, and real life political discourses, news media article or reports, and cases) to do well in this assignment. The quiz will be open online (via Blackboard) for 48 hours (Monday 7 April at 10 am until Wednesday 9 April at 10 am). It will be completed by students individually, based on their own knowledge and original critical reflection about the the concepts. Reading, understanding and applying the recommended weekly material will be crucial to obtain the maximum grade. Once you start the quiz you will have 10 minutes to read the instructions, and 60 minutes to complete the test. This assessment task evaluates students' own critical thinking and reflection capabilities, engagement with course resources, and academic knowledge. More information and reading material on Blackboard and lectures and tutorials from weeks 1 to 6 (inclusive).
Note this assignment specifically encourages you to study, define and/or academic concepts and theories found in the recommended academic literature to answer mini-essay types of questions in the quiz. This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage with concepts researched and built by humans in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
The quiz will be open online (on Blackboard) for 48 hours. Once students start the quiz they will have 10 minutes to read the instructions, and 60 minutes to complete the test. The quiz will be open from Monday 7 April at 10 am until Wednesday 9 April at 10 am.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Students unable to undertake the online quiz at the required time due to exceptional circumstances that lasted for the duration of the original quiz should apply for a deferred examination via SI-net. If your request is approved, the deferred quiz will be open online (via Blackboard) for 48 hours from 10am 12 May 2025 until 10am 14 May 2025, under the same conditions outlined above but with different questions. Please note that this will be the only opportunity to sit the deferred quiz. If you do not take the deferred quiz at this time you will receive zero marks.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Case Study / Briefing Paper
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 30% 1200 words
- Due date
29/04/2025 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Instructions: This assignment is based on desk/secondary research and critical reflection on your findings. Students will write a 1200-word case study/briefing paper about a political campaign or campaign element (issue or topic, policy, lobby/advocacy group proposal, or law) that is relevant or similar (in topic or style) to their choice of scenario for assignments 3 and 4 (scenarios will be published on Blackboard - Assessment - in weeks 5/6). You will write this case study or briefing paper for your 'employer' in the simulation (political party, politician or candidate, government department, professional consultant, and your teachers). For this task you will research and critically analyse a current or historical political campaign, or campaign element (such as policy or other) which will be used to inform Assignment 4 “Political Communication Campaign”. It can be related to individual politicians; political parties; advocacy or lobbying organisations; or political or social movements relevant to your chosen simulation or scenario. Examples of relevant campaigns include elections; referendums; advocacy or lobbying campaigns. The chosen campaign can be no more than twenty years old and can be from any country. While students are encouraged to identify a campaign themselves, there will be a list of examples posted to Blackboard that can be used.
Within the assignment, you will:
- Provide brief context/background about the issue.
- Research opinion polls, policy papers, and/or advocacy campaigns, and/or any other information linked with the selected scenario.
- Identify communication strategies associated with the campaign and critically analyse why they were successful or unsuccessful. This analysis will involve applying theoretical evidence and illustrative evidence. You must use academic sources to support the analysis.
- Explain why this example is relevant to your choice of scenario for Assignment 4 and how you could use similar campaign elements to develop your own campaign.
Note: If applicable, you may use generative AI, but only to research topics or data associated with selected scenario, not to write the assignment. You must acknowledge, write, and reference (a) the use of AI; (b) the prompts you used to research, and (b) the AI tool you employed. You will use APA 7th to reference (in-text and ref. list) all the material, academic literature, media texts, and/or AI tools you use in this assignment. A failure to reference AI and machine translation (MT) tools may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn on Blackboard.
TurnItIn Receipts:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial.
When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can:
- View the name of the submitted file
- View date and time of the upload
- Resubmit your paper (if necessary)
- Download your submitted paper
- Download digital receipt.
If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached.
Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Political Communication Campaign
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation, Portfolio, Role play/ Simulation
- Weight
- 30% 15-minute pitch and 1500-word portfolio
- Due date
10/06/2025 4:00 pm
Pitch: In person in Week 12 tutorials.
Portfolio: Submit by 4pm 10 June 2025.
'Specified' submission date because the both, Pitch and Portfolio, are components of the same assignments marked using the same rubric.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
This is the implementation step.
Instructions: Early in the semester (week 5/6) students will choose a simulation or scenario provided on Blackboard. Assignment 3 asked students to conduct research about a real-life political campaign (or an element of that campaign) with the intention to ‘revisit’ and analyse the associated communication strategies with the ultimate the aim to develop their own political communication campaign plan in Assignment 4. So, based on the research input provided by assignment 3, students, in groups, will plan a communication campaign plan and propose strategies and tactics that will address their selected scenario or simulation.
The aim is to develop original communication strategies that either ‘counter’ or undermine the strategies that were used in the example chosen for assignment 3, OR ‘rethink’ the strategies that were used and propose more effective and persuasive ones. This task will be informed by material provided during classes, weekly readings, guest lectures, and by the research developed for assignment 3.
This assignment aims to give COMU3222 students the opportunity to demonstrate the political communication knowledge, understanding and problem solving capabilities acquired during the semester by proposing effective communication strategies and tactics to effectively resolve/promote the issues posed by their chosen scenario. As the assessment is authentic and incremental, you will draw on the results of the previous assignments to craft and frame the campaign message and strategies and tactics.
Students will work individually, in pairs, or in groups of three (max.) acting as communication/media consultants to the campaign. You are encouraged to work with the same partner you had for the tutorial exercise.
The political communication campaign consists of a simulation of a real-life political communication campaign plan. Your written proposal will include.
Part 1: Executive summary (800 words) with the following elements:
- Desk Research: Situation or PEST analysis of the main elements of the client’s (party, leader, or group) political communication and media context, culture, or environment.
- Goal(s) of the political communication campaign.
- Specific target audiences or stakeholders (explain and justify);
- The main message(s) that you aim to put across to your audiences that should ideally raise awareness and include a call to action.
- Outline and support the main communication strategies and tactics (e.g. media release(s), series of social media posts, blog post, events like town hall meetings, other). Include references of literature or websites used to design and support your strategy
- A critical reflection (a couple of paragraphs) about (a) the importance of democratic or communicative vs. populist, polarising, divisive, uncivil, and/or disruptive political campaigning, and/or (b) the relevance of news media and social platforms on democracy.
- You may use dot points.
Part 2. Main tactics and channel(s) of communication or media (700 words)
You can select a combination of the elements outlined below:
A. Media text: you are asked to write a 700-word text that may consist of:
- A media release; blog post; speech; podcast or video script. It can be a combination of these formats, provided it meets 700 words. If you choose to write a media release or blog post, you should include accompanying visuals, photos and/or graphs (from free-copyright sites). You are invited to employ any skills learnt via MaPs training using Adobe InDesign, WordPress, or other like Shorthand. We are open to other ideas provided the content is equivalent to 700 words.
- A set of relevant social media posts (that add up 700 words). This may be formed, for example, by a group of Facebook / Instagram relevant posts (4 posts x 130+ words approx. each = 520+ words) and 4 linked (but differently worded) tweets of 40 words = 280 characters) = 520 + 160= 680 words Each one of these posts should be ideally illustrated by relevant copyright free pictures, table/graphs/visuals, and/or copyright free cartoon or drawing.
OR
B. Strategic plan for a political event or activity (town hall meeting; rally; publicity event, other) It should be a 700-word, well-illustrated Plan. You will describe and briefly justify (in terms of its potential effectiveness) the main elements of the event, namely, its goal/purpose (what do you want to achieve with this activity?), key message (via a speech); target publics; main speakers, partners, endorsers; venue, logistics, and possible props, that you will mobilise to persuade your audiences. You may use dot points to outline your proposed event. You are also invited to use free copyright pictures, graphs or other visuals with data or statistics, to illustrate how the event will look like.
IMPORTANT NOTE 1: You will briefly pitch/present the main elements of your political communication final campaign in tutorials in week 12. You will present goal, publics, message, and main political communication strategies and tactics, justifying what makes it different, original, persuasive, or effective.
Note that the pitch is marked via the assignment 4 rubric (strategy item) and values 2 pts (marked by your tutor). The feedback you will receive during the oral pitch will help you refine your final submission of the political campaign plan. The pitch can last a maximum of 15 minutes (feedback and Q&As included). Bring one or two slides with some visual representation of your proposed main political strategies or insights. The presentations will be recorded (as requested by the school). More on this task via Blackboard.
IMPORTANT NOTE 2: We will practice the political communication campaign in tutorials where we will compare the quality and accuracy of AI political communication campaigns vs. traditional campaigns planned and designed by humans, based on human research and planning tools, and critical thinking. This assignment encourages students to plan the campaign themselves, strategically and critically.
However, we understand that some media strategies and assets may involve, or have embedded, AI and/or Machine Translation (MT) tools. If this is the case, you MUST reference them using APA 7th. A failure to reference the academic literature, AI and MT tools may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies in the process, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Recording of Oral and Practical Assessment
- All presentations will be recorded for marking purposes via recording facilities available where the assessment takes place (eg. ECHO360, Zoom, camera device)
- Recordings will be retained by the School of Communication and Arts for at least 12 months from the release of the final grade for the course.
- Recordings will be stored in a secure manner and will only be accessed by authorised school staff for the purposes of:
- Moderation of marking;
- Provision of feedback to the student(s) recorded; and/or
- Re-marking following a successful re-mark application.
Submission guidelines
Pitch: In person in Week 12 tutorials.
Portfolio: Submit via Blackboard, one per group (note that Blackboard submissions are different from Turnitin ones, as they accept group submissions).
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
This pitch component of this assessment task is to be completed in person. Students are NOT able to apply for an extension via the Unitask portal for the pitch. Please contact your tutor/course coordinator directly to see if alternative arrangements are available.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
- Where fractional marks occur in the calculation of the final grade, a mark of x.5% or greater will be rounded up to (x+1)%. A percentage mark of less than x.5% will be rounded down to x%.
- Where no assessable work is received, a Grade of X will apply.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
- Further information regarding the assessment, including marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
- Marks Cannot Be Changed After Being Released: Marks are not open to negotiation with course staff. If you wish to discuss the feedback you have received, you should make an appointment to speak with the Course Coordinator.
- Assessment Re-mark: If you are considering an Assessment Re-mark, please follow the link to important information you should consider before submitting a request.
- Integrity Pledge: Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin. Before submitting any assignments for this course, you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Modules.ﾠIn uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
- Withholding marks prior to finalisation of grades: Per UQ Assessment Procedures – Release of Assessment Item Marks and Grades: The final assessment item and the marks for the assessment item are to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
1)ﾠPlease, access the Course reading site via the UQﾠLibrary (COMU3222).ﾠThe readings are organised on a weekly basisﾠfor your convenience. You will find digitalised versionsﾠof some of theﾠkey recommended book chapters (when available). Alternatively, some of the books are available via the Library physically and/or online, inﾠeBook versions (but regretfully not all). Just 10% of a book (one chapter approximately) can be digitalised.ﾠThis explains why we gave you aﾠsubstantial list of recommended readings for you to choose fromﾠthe ones that are available. You do not need to read them all. It is not mandatory to buy the requiredﾠtextbook either (this is optional). Just check the chaptersﾠthat are relevant for your weekly presentations and assessment.ﾠ
2) Check theﾠlist of relevant academic journal articles are updated and posted to Blackboard and available online through the UQ Library or Google Scholar.ﾠ
4) Resources such as the enumerated below may be used during the semester. Some key questions to try to seek answer are: Are we living now in a populist world? Are we all populists now?:
- Nai, A., & Maier, J. (2024).ﾠDark Politics: The Personality of Politicians and the Future of Democracy.ﾠOxford Academic, which we will be used throughout the semester. You will be able to access this book online (ebook) via the UQ Library.ﾠ
- Grant, D. (2025). Populism, Artificial Intelligence and Law: A New Understanding of the Dynamics of the Present (p. 274). Taylor & Francis.
- Volcic, Z., & Andrejevic, M. (2023). Automated media and commercial populism. Cultural Studies, 37(1), 149-167.
- Howard, R. G. (2022). Manufacturing populism: Digitally amplified vernacular authority. Media and Communication, 10(4), 236-247.
- Gabor, E., Oancea, M., & Pripp, V. (2024). The Impact of Deep Fakes in the Age of Populism and Post-Democracy. Revista de Stiinte Politice, (83), 32-46.
- Gandesha, S. (2024). Algorithmic Populism. The Many Faces of Populism: Perspectives from Critical Theory and Beyond, 303, 85.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Lecture |
Week 1 Lecture: Overview: What is political communication? How has PC, as a discipline and as a practice, changed overtime? From partisan media to today's platform politics and 'broligarchy' (Topic 1). Internal guests (Librarian and MaPs representatives ) who will explain the access to relevant resources to do well in the course and assessment. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Tutorial |
Week 1: NO TUTORIALS Tutorials start in Week 2. |
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Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Lecture |
Week 2 Lecture: Democracy, news, and communication - Do the rule of law, separation of power, and respect for human rights still matter? What is the role of the news media? How has the political news evolved overtime? Does the news media still matters, or even exist? (Topic 2). Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Tutorial |
Week 2 Tutorial: Forming groups and selecting weekly topics. Overview of the assessment - Political communication cases, actors and topics overtime: Research literature and media articles on this topic in class - exercises - Q & As. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Lecture |
Week 3 Lecture: Lecture and tutorials were cancelled in week 3 due to Cyclone Alfred - The material for week 3 (Naming, framing, agenda setting, affective polarisation, populist communication, discursive disruption - Fascism, oligarchy/broligarchy, 'wokism': What do they mean? - Topic 3) was merged to Week 4's topic. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Tutorial |
Week 3 Tutorial: This tutorial was cancelled due to Cyclone Alfred. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Lecture |
Week 4 Lecture: Persuasion vis-à-vis Propaganda (Topic 4) + Naming, framing, agenda setting, affective polarisation, populist communication, discursive disruption - Fascism, oligarchy/broligarchy, 'wokism': What do they mean? - Topic 3). The importance of speech: Words matter (all in the Political Communication Glossary and recommended readings). Guest lecture 1: Hon Milton Dick, Speaker of the House: Maintaining civility in a populist uncivil world. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Tutorial |
Week 4 Tutorial: Discussing the week's topics 3 and 4. Case studies/Exercises. Workshopping assignment 2 (Quiz) - Prepping for Presentations (which will start in week 5). Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Lecture |
Week 5 Lecture: Political campaigning - How have campaigns evolved? Do elections, rallies and debates still matter? (Topic 5). Researching and polling for campaigns - Explaining the cases or simulations for assignment 4. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Tutorial |
Week 5 Tutorial: Weekly presentations start (Topics 1 and 2 - Pol Comm, Democracy and News) - Case studies. Exercises. Quiz Q&As Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Lecture |
Week 6 Lecture: Government Communication (Topic 6) - Understanding simulations/scenarios for assignments 3 and 4 - Guest lecturer #2: How governments should communicate with clarity (Mr. Tom Davies - Gov. Comm Consultant). Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Tutorial |
Week 6 Tutorial: Weekly Presentations (Topics 3 and 4 - Naming/Framing + Persuasion/Propaganda). Class discussion - Selecting simulations/scenarios for assignments 3 and 4. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Lecture |
Week 7 Lecture: Building and influencing policy - Policy communication - The power of lobbying - Digital/physical activism and advocacy (Topic 7). Problem Solving Framework - Guest Lecturer # 3: Ms Helen Hutchings, Managing Director Philips Group and Chair of CPRA. Expert in Gov and Policy Comms. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Tutorial |
Week 7 Tutorial: Presentations of Topic 5 (Campaigns). Class discussion. Selecting simulation/scenarios for assignments 3/4 - Workshopping Assignment 3 using Problem Solving Framework (see Learning Resources on Bb). Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Lecture |
Week 8 Lecture: Platform politics: How is it used? Social media, content creators, misinformation, polarisation, post truth, and audience political engagement (Topic 8). Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Tutorial |
Week 8 Tutorial: Weekly presentations (Topics 6 and 7 - Gov. Communication - Influencing policy, policy communication, lobbying, advocacy and activism). Class discussion. Continue prepping assignment 3. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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Mid-sem break (21 Apr - 27 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
MID-SEMESTER BREAK |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Lecture |
Week 9 Lecture: Populist communication and its appeals: Living in a populist age - A framework (Topic 9). Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Tutorial |
Week 9 Tutorial: Weekly presentations (Topic 8 - Platform Politics, social media, post-truth, political content creators and their impact). Class discussion. Start prepping assignment 4. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
Lecture |
Week 10 Lecture: The moral language of politics: The links between weakening democracy, legacy media, and the rise of "dark politics". Is communicative democracy possible? Prepping and tips for Political Communication Campaign and Pitching session. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Tutorial |
Week 10 Tutorial: Weekly presentations Topic 9 (Populist communication and its appeal: Living in a populist age ) - Prepping assignment 4 - the Pitch. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Lecture |
Week 11: LECTURE: Final Review and Q&As (optional) Review towards the Pol Comm Campaign Plan (Assignment 4) and the Pitch - Q&As - Final Reflexion - Living in post-truth, disruptive times - Discussion. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Tutorial |
Week 11: Tutorial Final Q&As session and review to prepare for Assignment 4 and the Pitch - Pending presentations (of students that could not present earlier for health or other reasons). Note: this tutorials substitutes Week 3's missed tutorial. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Lecture |
Wk 12: NO LECTURE |
Tutorial |
Week 12 Tutorial Pitching sessions: Presenting your political campaign ideas in tutorials - Marked in class-exercise to obtain feedback (kindly see Assignment 4 instructions). Your pitch will be marked together with written Assignment 4, included in the same rubric. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 13: NO LECTURE OR TUTORIALS |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
Course guidelines
Communication Expectations
While you are a student at UQ, all communication must be conducted according to the UQ Student Code of Conduct. The UQ Library has a helpful Communicate and collaborate online module.
- Email is the primary way for you to send messages to, and receive information from, the School and our staff.
- You must use your UQ email address (not a private address) to communicate with staff.
- You should add a clear subject line, including course code, and a 2-3 word statement.
- You can send email at any time, however please do not expect responses outside normal working hours (Monday to Friday from ~8am to ~5pm).
- Emails that constitute bullying, harassment or discrimination against staff contravene the Student Code of Conduct. Emails like this will be reported to the University, and the matter will be pursued as misconduct.