NTU Course
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Seminar on Political Campaigns and Communication

Offered in 113-2

  • Serial Number

    28829

  • Course Number

    PS5716

  • Course Identifier

    322 U2520

  • No Class

  • 2 Credits

  • Elective

    DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE / GRADUATE INSTITUTE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

      Elective

    • DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

    • GRADUATE INSTITUTE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

  • KAI-PING HUANG
  • Fri 3, 4

  • 社科306

  • Type 2

  • 30 Student Quota

    NTU 30

  • No Specialization Program

  • English
  • NTU COOL
  • Notes
    The course is conducted in English。
  • Limits on Course Adding / Dropping

    • Restriction: juniors and beyond

  • NTU Enrollment Status

    Enrolled
    0/30
    Other Depts
    0/10
    Remaining
    0
    Registered
    0
  • Course Description
    All democratic societies conduct competitive elections on a regular basis. For many people, the rise of democracy around the world means that even when government actions are disagreeable or contrary to their personal preferences, they are generally viewed as legitimate, provided that the leaders taking the actions were elected in an electoral system widely considered fair. However, the practice of democracy is often messy and imperfect. This course considers the degree to which political campaigns and communication affect electoral outcomes in particular and the quality of democracy at large. Topics to be covered include the history of political campaigns, recent trends in the media, theories of media effects, the implications for politics of changes in media (e.g., the rise of the Internet, social media and partisan media), the ways in which the news shapes the public's perceptions of the political world, and the general role of campaigns and communication in the democratic process. ****For those who didn't get the enrollment but would like to sign up for the course, please COME TO THE FIRST CLASS TO GET THE CODE****
  • Course Objective
    By the end of this course, students should be able to: 1. identify and analyze communication concepts used during campaigns in contexts such as candidate image formation, campaign strategies, candidate debates, and media coverage; 2. describe and contrast the communication encounters among campaigners, reporters/media, and citizens in the context of political campaigns; 3. articulate and demonstrate how politicians use communication tools, tactics, and strategies to recruit electoral support; 4. illustrate, hypothesize, and appraise candidates’ discussions of various issue topics.
  • Course Requirement
    Students are required to complete the following assignments. Pre-class reading discussion 10% In-class discussion and participation 15% Mid-term exam 25% Group presentations 20% Final term paper 30%
  • Expected weekly study hours after class
    1-2 hours
  • Office Hour
    Fri12:30 - 13:30

    Or by appointment

  • Designated Reading
    See material list
  • References
    (1) Craig, S. C., & Hill, D. B. (2010). The Electoral Challenge: Theory Meets Practice. SAGE. (2) Denton (Jr. ), R., & Kuypers, J. A. (2008). Politics and Communication in America: Campaigns, Media, and Governing in the 21st Century. Waveland Press. (3) Denton, R. E., Jr, Trent, J. S., & Friedenberg, R. V. (2019). Political Campaign Communication: Principles and Practices. Rowman & Littlefield.
  • Grading
    10%

    Reading discussion

    To complete one record, submit your questions or thoughts regarding the course readings to NTU COOL before class begins. Three records can be exempted. That is, in the case of 12 weeks of discussion, students only need 9 records to gain 100 points.

    15%

    In-class discussion

    This course is premised on active discussion and students are expected to come to class having completed the readings and ready to discuss them. Three records can be exempted. That is, in the case of 12 weeks of discussion, students only need 9 records to gain 100 points.

    25%

    Mid-term exam

    The mid-term exam will include multiple choice questions and short answer questions. Application and identification are stressed more than memorization of material. The test will be conducted online and will last 1 hour and 50 minutes.

    20%

    Group presentations

    Students should form groups at the beginning of the semester. Topics will be announced after the mid-term exam.

    30%

    Final term paper

    Students will write an essay (not more than 10 pages) on a topic they choose for the final report. The instructor will provide the topic in advance. Grading criteria will include whether or not there is a clear argument, sufficient and convincing reasons and evidence to support the argument, and the relevance of the argument to the literature.

  • Adjustment methods for students
    Adjustment MethodDescription
    Teaching methods

    Assisted by video

    Assignment submission methods

    Mutual agreement to present in other ways between students and instructors

    Exam methods

    Final exam date postponement

    Written (oral) reports replace exams

    Others

    Negotiated by both teachers and students

  • Course Schedule
    2/21Week 1Introduction
    2/28Week 2228 holiday. No class
    3/7Week 3Phases of Political Campaigns
    3/14Week 4Campaign Strategies-Incumbents
    3/21Week 5Campaign Strategies-Challengers
    3/28Week 6The Role of Media and the Internet
    4/4Week 7Holiday. No class.
    4/11Week 8Mid-term exam
    4/18Week 9The Role of Consultants
    4/25Week 10Political Speeches and Debates
    5/2Week 11Scandals and Campaign Ethics
    5/9Week 12The Role of Citizens
    5/16Week 13Impacts on Democracy
    5/25Week 14Group Presentations I
    5/30Week 15Group Presentations II
    6/6Week 16Final term paper due