Political Communication (Taught)

This Masters in Political Communication is designed to give you an advanced understanding of the interplay between politics, the media, civil society, and public opinion. The programme will help you to understand how information flows and influences contemporary societies, both domestically and internationally, across diverse platforms, structures, and systems. It is excellent preparation for employment in politics, journalism, strategic communication, diplomacy and related fields.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

• The Political Communication MSc gives you an advanced understanding of foundational theories and cutting-edge developments in the interdisciplinary field of political communication research, examining the power relationships between media and politics in today’s world.

• This programme is ideal for those who want to pursue careers in public affairs and communication in the public, private, and third sectors, as well as in media and journalism.

• Through innovative and industry-relevant assessments, you will develop a wide range of transferrable skills including critical thinking, evidence-based argumentation, case analysis, and policy-oriented writing.

• We provide a supportive learning environment with high levels of staff-student interaction. You will engage in active discussion of topical issues, ranging from the power of social media platforms to the nature of media biases and the effects of disinformation.

• Our courses are taught by internationally recognised experts in political communication research across a range of specialisms, countries, and contexts. In addition to Political Communication courses, you can choose courses from across the School of Social & Political Sciences, subject to availability.

• The programme has a strong focus on practice-based learning with a range of activities, including alumni networking events and high-profile speakers from the world of politics, communications, political strategy and journalism.

• We partner with the John Smith Centre to bring practitioners and industry leaders into the classroom, providing you with unparalleled networking opportunities and access to top professionals working at the intersection of politics and communication.

• Our programme is unique in Scotland, and is one of the very few political communication programmes in the UK to be taught by Politics and International Relations specialists, rather than scholars of media and communication studies.

• Students on this programme come from a range of different countries and professional backgrounds. You will be part of a vibrant and diverse student body in the School of Social & Political Sciences, which offers regular extracurricular events, societies, and activities to improve your experience in Glasgow.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
You will take three core and three optional courses (please note that the list of available optional courses varies slightly from year to year). MSc students also write a dissertation over the summer months on a relevant question of their choice, under the supervision of a specialist member of staff.

Core courses
Media And Democracy
Political Institutions And Communication
Research Design for Politics and International Relations

Recommended optional courses
Media and Conflict in Divided Societies
Media, War and Security
Propaganda and Public Diplomacy: Authoritarian States
The Internet and Civil Society

Other optional courses
Gender, Race and International Relations
Global Social Movements
Globalisation: Challenges from the South
Humanitarian Intervention: Civilian or Sovereignty
International Organisations
International Relations and Development
International Relations of the Middle East
Political Economy of Conflict
Quantitative Data Analysis