PRK 3631 Political and government communication

APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2014/2015

PRK 3631 Political and government communication


Responsible for the course
Tor Bang

Department
Department of Communication and Culture

Term
According to study plan

ECTS Credits
7,5

Language of instruction
Norwegian

Introduction
The course is a basic introduction to howthe government communicate with its public, and how the public communicate with political and governmental decision-makers.


    Learning outcome
    Acquired Knowledge
    On completing the course, students should be able to understand and explain how the governmental decision system is designed in Norway, how the government communicates with the public, and how the public may communicate with politicans as well as government officials through lobbying.

    Acquired Skills
    On completing the course, students should be able to use their knowledge of the governmental and political decision system to analyze and solve governmental communcation problems, and how lobbying is planned and implemented.

    Reflection
    On completing the course, students should understand how the different elements in the political and governmental decision system interact in complex ways in political processes.

    Prerequisites
    None.

    Compulsory reading
    Books:
    Fimreite, Anne Lise, Jan Erik Grindheim. 2007. Offentlig forvaltning. 2. utg. Universitetsforlaget. Kapittel 1-7, side 1-150.
    Østbø, Ivar Buch. 2010. Storting og regjering. 2. rev. og bearb. utg. Schibsted. s. 155-275

    Collection of articles:
    Bang, Tor. 2013. Politisk og offentlig kommunikasjon. Publiseres elektronisk

    Recommended reading

    Course outline
    Part 1: The Storting, public administration, government relations and lobbying
    1.1 How public management is organized in Norway
    1.2 Interaction between public administration and the political sector
    1.3 The role of citizens: The right to knowledge
    1.4 Information- and communication strategies for public administration
    1.5 The role of the Storting and how it works
    1.6 The relaytionship between the governmental administration, the Cabinet and the Storting
    1.7 Lobbying
    1.8 Governmental communication policy

    Part 2: Election campaign communication
    2.1 The Norwegian party system
    2.2 How politicians communicate with the electorate
    2.3 Political campaign communication

    Computer-based tools
    The course presuppses the use of computers for assignments.

    Learning process and workload
    The course is implemented through classroom teaching and group assignments. During the semester students must submit two written papers, individually or in groups of up to three students. Papers are to be presented in class. Attendance during all presentations is compulsory for all students in the class. Papers and presentations are to be included in a file for grading.

    The course consists of classroom instruction and problem solving in groups.

    During the semester, there will be two assignments which must be answered in writing, individually or in groups of up to three students. Assignment 1 and 2 can be answered in different groups. Each of the assignments undergo a three-step process. First the assignments must be handed in within a specified time limit. Then the assignments must be presented to the class where feedback from the lecturer will be provided. The student(s) then prepares a final version of the assignment. Attendance during the presentation of task 1 and 2 are mandatory for all students in the class.

    A portfolio is used as work and evaluation form. Submission of the folder is done individually, but the tasks can be solved in groups. The portfolio should consist of the following:
    • The final answer on the task of
    • The final answer on the task II
    • Self Reflection Notes over their own learning process

    Recommended time spent in the course:
    Activity Use of hours
    Participation in lectures and group presentations
    39
    Preparation for lectures
    45
    Group work and paper development
    47
    Private study/ reading of curriculum literature / preparations for examinations
    69
    Total recommended use of time
    200


      Examination
      The examination consists of a process evaluation with file submission in groups of up to three students. The file must contain two papers that will be presented in class and other material used in the presentations. Each of the papers will go through a three- stage process. First, the paper is submitted at a pre-set date. Second, the paper is presented in class, with feedback. Attendance during all presentations is compulsory for all students in the class. Third, the student(s) makes (make) a final version of the paper that is submitted at a pre-set date. Finally, at the end of the semester the whole file with attachments from presentations is submitted. Each paper with attachments will initially account for 50 % of the grade, but the final grading will be performed after a full evaluation of the content of the file.

      Examination code(s)
      PRK 36311 - Portfolio assessment of file that counts 100 % towards the total grade for the course PRK 3631 Political and Governmental Communication - 7,5 credits.

      Examination support materials
      All support materials are allowed.

      Re-sit examination
      This course will be lectured for the last time autumn 2014.
      Re-sit exam will be offered autumn 2015 and last time spring 2016.

      Additional information

      Semester

      Oversettelser