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.