Political Leadership & Communication Syllabus
Political Leadership & Communication Syllabus
The course prepares students to address contemporary challenges by examining issues within political communication and leadership through surveys, opinion polls, and exit polls. It also covers empirical and professional implications of political communication and leadership, adding to students' ability to deal with present-day challenges in these areas. Additionally, the curriculum includes examining techniques and theories central to understanding and overcoming contemporary issues .
Opinion polls and exit polls are integral to the curriculum as they provide practical tools for researching communication and leadership. These methodologies are critical for analyzing public opinion and behavior, enabling students to apply theoretical knowledge of political communication to real-world scenarios. This practical application is necessary for understanding the empirical and professional implications of political leadership .
Psephology, or the study of elections and voting, features prominently as it bridges theoretical political communication with empirical analysis. It is considered both an art and a vocation within the course, equipping students with the ability to interpret electoral data and trends. This skill is essential for students aiming to pursue careers in media, politics, or academia, as it requires the synthesis of data analysis and strategic communication .
'Developing the Leader Within You' by John C. Maxwell is included in the essential readings because it provides foundational insights into personal leadership development, which is crucial for understanding and executing political leadership. The book's emphasis on self-awareness and personal growth aligns with the course's objectives of understanding leadership themes, theories, and typologies, as well as developing communication and leadership skills .
The course highlights the cross-cutting multi-disciplinary linkages through political communication and leadership. It emphasizes constructing a linkage between political communication and leadership using conceptual frameworks and qualitative research skills. This integration facilitates media managers, policy-makers, political analysts, journalists, and public relations officers in understanding the intricate dynamics of political communication and leadership. Moreover, it expands into areas like psephology, opinion polls, and exit polls .
The course employs various assessments including internal assessment (25 marks), practical exams (25 marks), and an end semester university exam (50 marks). Internal assessments may include class participation, assignments, class tests, projects, and presentations. These methods are designed to actively engage students, ensuring they can apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, thereby achieving the course's learning outcomes of professional insight and career orientation .
Critical reviews of political communication and election campaigns are facilitated through the study of specific concepts and frameworks within the course. These include an exploration of the evolution and transformation of political communication, as well as leadership themes and theories. By engaging with these areas, students are able to critically assess and develop informed perspectives on how political messages are crafted, delivered, and perceived during elections .
The course facilitates a professional orientation by equipping students with insights into media management, policy-making, and political analysis. The curriculum includes understanding political communication's evolution and transformation, exploring leadership themes and theories, and developing communication and leadership through research. These components are designed to build students' skills for careers in government agencies, political parties, and higher education .
Conceptual frameworks and qualitative research skills are integrated through units focused on developing communication and leadership via research. This involves analyzing modes and techniques of political communication and understanding leadership as a dynamic and adaptive discipline. The course guides students in constructing linkages between diverse elements such as political communication strategies and leadership styles, using qualitative methodologies such as thematic analysis and case studies .
Studying the evolution and transformation of political communication allows students to understand the historical context and technological advancements shaping current communication strategies. This understanding is critical for developing effective political messages and campaigns. By learning about these transformations, students can anticipate future trends and adapt strategies accordingly, which is essential for roles in media management, policy making, and political analysis .