Program Overview

Program Overview

The program in question is Politieke Communicatie en Journalistiek (DCW4), which is part of the Bachelor Communicatiewetenschap and the Bachelor Verkorte Bachelor Communicatiewetenschap at the University of Amsterdam.

Program Details

• Study Load: 6 EC
• Language of Instruction: Nederlands (Dutch)
• Admission Requirements:
  • For regular bachelor students starting in 2014 or later: BSA positief.
  • For students with a shortened bachelor's degree: no requirements.
  • For students who started before September 2014: ICW and MCO/BS.
• Period: Semester 1 and Semester 2
• Educational Institute: College Communicatiewetenschap
• Instructors:
  • H. Ateş
  • dr. K.A.E. Beckers
  • dr. M. Elenbaas
  • M. van Hoof
  • F. Reerds BSc
  • dr. K. de Swert (coordinator)

Learning Objectives

The domain modules in the Bachelor Communicatiewetenschap are designed to provide students with an overview of the most important theories and research results from the various domains of communication science. Both knowledge and insight are crucial in this course. Students will learn:

• To frame practical, societal problems in a theoretical perspective and formulate scientific research questions around them.
• How to write an academic essay on a normative question and apply new knowledge to a concrete situation (e.g., advising on a campaign by an NGO or political party).

Course Content

The domain module "Politieke Communicatie en Journalistiek" focuses on the informative function of (news) media. Media play a crucial role in our democracy, acting as an independent actor in the political arena that can strongly influence both the public and politics. In recent years, there has been increasing fragmentation of political information in the media and among voters.

This course centralizes the interactions between three actors: the Public (what do voters know or think about politics and politicians? Why do they vote or not? Do media help or hinder this process?), the Media (how do journalists translate politics to their audience? Are there different styles and roles among news makers? Are news media still neutral, or do they produce biased or even fake news? What are the differences between classical mass media and social media, and do the latter make journalists obsolete?), and the Politics (how are campaigns set up? What is the role of spin doctors, AI, and big data in this story? What is the relationship between journalists and politicians?). These are just a few of the questions that will be examined with the help of classical theories, recent literature, and current events.

Recommended Prior Knowledge

It is strongly recommended to follow national and international political news on various news media during the course.

Registration

• Registration is via the 'Toevoegen aan planner' button.
• Instructions for course registration can be found separately.

Teaching Method and Contact Hours

• Lectures (2 hours per week)
• Workgroup (2 hours per week)

Study Materials

Scientific articles (downloadable from the library), with a list to follow later.

Assessment

This course applies a combination of individual assignments, group assignments, and exams to test the learning objectives. Details about the assessment can be found on the Canvas page of the course. Students are expected to know and comply with the university's fraud and plagiarism regulations.

Notes

• For further information, see the workbook on Canvas.
• This course is not open to students from other programs. Students who wish to follow this course must submit a request to the Examencommissie CW.
• The most important results of the evaluation of the bachelor's education can be found via the university's website (under 'Campus, organization, and facilities').