Module POLM158 for 2019/0
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
POLM158: Digital Politics and Policy
This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.
Module Aims
On completion of this module you will be cognizant about communications theories and regulation of digital markets in Europe. The module will provide you with an advanced understanding of market developments, global, and EU regulatory frameworks and the differing national structures regulating traditional and new media markets. You will establish connections between theory and regulatory practice. By the end of the module you will have the ability to critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of different theoretical and regulatory models and assess the prospects for European integration on the basis of empirical and normative analysis.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
---|---|
Module-Specific Skills | 1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the nature of digital markets in Europe, particularly with regard to market, global and regulatory frameworks. 2. Understand different national regulatory structures relating traditional and new media markets. 3. Establish connections between theory and regulatory practice. 4. Critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of different theoretical and regulatory models. |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 5. Critically analyse primary and secondary source material. 6. Understand and use concepts, models, and theory from public policy. 7. Construct well-structured and rigorous arguments. 8. Use academic objectivity to advance a normative perspective. |
Personal and Key Skills | 9. Communicate effectively in speech and writing. 10. Work independently and in collaboration with peers to achieve common goals. 11. Use IT for the retrieval and presentation of information. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Communications theory
- Market developments
- Twitterati and political opinion formation
- Europe's Digital Single Market
- Copyfighters
- Telecoms and connectivity
- Fintech
- Global internet governance
- Data protection and privacy
- The dark web
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
---|---|---|
22 | 278 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 22 | 11 x 2 hour weekly seminars |
Guided independent study | 80 | This includes a variety of private study tasks directed by module leader. These tasks include: reading assignments; |
Guided independent study | 50 | conducting research, preparing the methodology, analysing qualitative texts and writing; |
Guided independent study | 108 | preparation for and completion of: assigned essay; |
Guided independent study | 20 | presentation; |
Guided independent study | 20 | written paper |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|
Participation in class exercises based on seminars and discussion. | Weekly attendance and participation in discussion and class exercises. Class exercises will take part in the second half of the seminar. | 1-11 | Feedback will be provided in a one to one meeting in the module leaders office in Week 6. |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
---|---|---|
90 | 0 | 10 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Essay | 70 | 7,000 words | 1-11 | Written feedback |
Written seminar paper | 20 | 2,000 words | 1-11 | Written feedback |
Individual in-class presentation (on the same topic as the written seminar paper). | 10 | 40 minutes | 1-11 | Written feedback |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
---|---|---|---|
Essay | Essay (7,000 words) | 1-11 | August/September reassessment period |
Written Seminar Paper | Written Seminar Paper (2,000 words) | 1-11 | August/September reassessment period |
Individual in-class presentation (on the same topic as the written seminar paper). | Presentation (on the same topic as the written seminar paper) on a one to one basis in front of the module convenor (40 minutes) | 1-11 | Arranged in terms with convenor. |
Indicative Reading List
This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.
Curran, J. et al. (eds.) (2012) Misunderstanding the Internet. London: Routledge.
Diamond, L., and M. F. Plattner (2012) Liberation Technology: Social Media and the Struggle for Democracy. The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Fuchs, Christian (2014) Social Media: A Critical Introduction, London: Sage.
Mueller, M. (2010) Networks and States: The Global Politics of Internet Governance. Cambridge: MIT Press.
Pauwels, Caroline, Harri, Kalimo, Donders, Karen and Ben Van Rompuy (2010) Rethinking European Media and Communications Policy (Institute for European Studies).
Valcke, Peggy, Miklos Sukösd and Robert Picard (2015) Media Pluralism and Diversity: concepts, risks and global trends. Palgave global media policy and business series.