Political Communication MSc

On this programme you will explore a variety of themes in areas related to mass media, politics and communication. You will seek to understand flows of information and their political consequences both domestically and internationally, across a diversity of platforms, structures, and systems.<br/><br/>**WHY THIS PROGRAMME**<br/><br/><br/>- This programme is designed for those who want to pursue a career in political communication, offering you a range of theoretical insights and analytical tools and skills that will be beneficial for a broad range of careers.<br/><br/><br/>- You will engage in discussions about the role of mass media and new media in society, the ways in which politicians and citizens use media, and the quality of public deliberation.<br/><br/><br/>- You will also explore themes such as the effects of media and communications on public opinion and public policy, the ways in which political parties communicate their messages, and how digital media shapes politics.<br/><br/><br/>- You will engage with a range of perspectives from political science and communications especially, but also psychology, sociology, computing science and big data analytics, and economics.<br/><br/><br/>- Our programme is unique in Scotland and one of few political communication programmes based in a Politics department in the UK, rather than in communications or media studies.<br/><br/><br/>- We have a diverse and vibrant student body with students from all over the world. You will share courses with students from other programmes in the school, which enriches the liveliness and breadth of experience for all. Like our students, research staff come from many different places.<br/><br/><br/>**PROGRAMME STRUCTURE**<br/><br/>You will take three core and three optional courses. You will also write a dissertation on a topic of your choice, under the supervision of a specialist member of staff.<br/><br/>**Core Courses**<br/>MEDIA AND DEMOCRACY<br/>POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS AND COMMUNICATION<br/>RESEARCH DESIGN OR QUALITATIVE METHODS IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES OR QUANTITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS.<br/><br/>**Optional Courses may include:**<br/>CHINAS INTERNATIONAL POLITICS<br/>CHINESE POLITICS AND SOCIETY<br/>COMPARATIVE PUBLIC OPINION: CONCEPTS AND APPLICATIONS<br/>CRIME, MEDIA AND POPULAR CULTURE<br/>CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON HUMAN RIGHTS<br/>HUMAN RIGHTS AND GLOBAL POLITICS<br/>HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTION: CIVILIAN OR SOVEREIGNTY<br/>INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT<br/>INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS RESEARCH<br/>INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORY<br/>INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND STRATEGIC STUDIES<br/>INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL THEORY FOR RESEARCHERS<br/>THE PSYCHOLOGY OF POLITICAL COMMUNICATION<br/>MEDIA AND DEMOCRATISATION IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE AND THE FORMER SOVIET UNION<br/>MEDIA, WAR AND SECURITY<br/>RESEARCHING AUDIENCES AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIONS<br/>THE INTERNET AND CIVIL SOCIETY<br/>THEMATIC ISSUES IN GLOBAL SECURITY