Digital Politics and Policy
| Module title | Digital Politics and Policy |
|---|---|
| Module code | POLM158 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Professor Alison Harcourt (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
|---|
Module description
This module examines the regulation of the communications sector, encompassing traditional press and broadcasting markets, telecommunications, new media markets and the Internet. Emphasis is on European Union (EU) regulation and its effect upon the direction of national policy. Topics include: EU audiovisual regulation, the Digital Single Market; copyright, telecommunications, data protection and privacy policies. The focus will be the effects of Brexit on the UK and the future development of EU policy. Wider issues of globalisation and the UK’s role in the world will be investigated.
Module aims - intentions of the module
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.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 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.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 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.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 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.
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
- global internet governance
- data protection and privacy
- the dark web
- fake news and disinformation
- cybersecurity
- Fintech
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 278 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 22 | 11 x 2 hour weekly seminars |
| Guided independent study | 80 | 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 | 40 | Presentation preparation |
| Guided independent study |
Formative assessment
| 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 | A group email providing feedback will be sent to students at the end of each week |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 60 | 4,500 words | 1-11 | Written |
| Individual in-class presentation | 40 | 30 minutes | 1-11 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (4,500 words) | 1-11 | August/September reassessment period |
| Individual in-class presentation | Presentation on a one to one basis in front of the module convenor (30 minutes) | 1-11 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Harcourt, Alison, George Christou and Seamus Simpson (2020) Global Standard Setting in Internet Governance. Oxford University Press.
DeNardis, Laura, Derrick Cogburn, Nanette S. Levinson and Francesca Musiani (2020) Researching Internet Governance: Methods, Frameworks, Futures The MIT Press https://direct.mit.edu/books/book/4936/Researching-Internet-GovernanceMethods-Frameworks.
D’Haenens, L.; Trappel, J. and Soussa, H. (Eds) (2018) Comparative media policy, regulation and governance in Europe, Chicago: Intellect.
Martin Moore and Damian Tambini (eds) (2018) Digital Dominance: The Power of Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Apple Oxford University Press.
Valcke, Peggy, Miklos Sukösd and Robert Picard (2015) Media Pluralism and Diversity: concepts, risks and global trends. Palgrave global media policy and business series.
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 12/09/2018 |
| Last revision date | 11/05/2022 |
