Course content

More recently, new political cleavages have emerged, volatility has increased and party identification has declined, indicating that the political landscape is changing. This course focuses on how political actors, the media, and the electorate change their strategies in accordance with these new trends. Why do two voters react differently to the same message? Are the voters more influenced by emotion than by knowledge? Have new identities replaced loyalty to class and party? Which strategies of communication do political parties prefer when they are dependent upon the mass media? Has the mass media become an important political power, and how does this power work?

Learning outcome

Knowledge - the student shall:

• have knowledge about the media and symbolic power in the formation of opinion focusing on how political actors, media and voters act under changing conditions

Skills - the student shall demonstrate the ability to:

• treat one of the themes which was discussed in instruction in an independent analytical manner which fulfills the requirements for scientific writing
• be able to orally discuss and reflect over one's own written work and the themes which were taken up in teaching

Learning methods and activities

Lectures/group discussions. Supervision of term paper.

If 6 or fewer students attend the course the two first weeks of teaching, the course will be offered as an individual study course with supervision. Please contact the departement for further information.

Compulsory assignments

• Presentation

Recommended previous knowledge

See formal requirements.

Required previous knowledge

60 credits including SOS1002 or an equivalent course in research methods. The requirement must be fulfilled to be admitted to the course.

Course materials

To be decided at the start of the course.

Credit reductions