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Political Science and International Relations
Political Systems and Media

Political Systems and Media

Code	17748
Year	3
Semester	S2
ECTS Credits	6
Workload	OT(15H)/TP(45H)
Scientific area	Communication Sciences
Entry requirements	n/a
Learning outcomes	The module emphasises the link between theoretical frameworks and empirical analysis, encouraging students to apply the conceptual tools covered in class to the interpretation of specific political and media phenomena—whether Portuguese, European or international. In fact, its main objectives are: 1. To identify and describe the various existing political systems and their relationship with media systems. 2. To describe, analyse and understand the relationships between different types of political systems and the mass media. 3. To understand and apply the main theories of political communication. 4. To examine the different communication strategies in accordance with the prevailing political regime.
Syllabus	• Module 1 — Basic Concepts (Political System, Easton, British/American/French systems) • Module 2 — Mass Communication Concepts (Mass Media, Journalism, News, Political Actors, Spin Doctors, Public Opinion) • Block 3 — Communication Theories (Hypodermic Theory, Persuasion Theory, Limited Effects Theory, Critical Theory (Frankfurt School), and Political Action Theory) • Block 4 — Democracy and the Media (Democracy without Mass Media? Mass Media as a Threat to Democracy?, Mass Media – Fourth Estate or Counter-Power?, Media and Elections, Polls, the Personalisation of Politics, and Media Exposure during Election Campaigns) • Block 5 — Political communication in non-democratic regimes • Block 6 — Post-truth, AI and Democracy/Journalism/Media
Main Bibliography	• Blumer, Jay G. e Gurevich, Michael, The Crisis of Public Communication, Londres, Routledge, 1995. • Bourdieu, Pierre, Sobre a Televisão, Oeiras, Celta, 1997. • Chomsky, Noam, A Manipulação dos Media, Mem Martins, Editorial Inquérito, 2003. • Costa, B.F. (2017). “A Vitória de Donald Trump na Imprensa Portuguesa – a (im)parcialidade em perspectiva”, Estudos da Comunicação, 24: 83-105. • Hallin, Daniel C. & Mancini, Paolo, Sistemas de Media: Estudo Comparativo (três modelos de comunicação e política), Lisboa, Livros Horizonte, 2010. • Lasswell, Harold, “A Estrutura e a Função da Comunicação na Sociedade”, in Esteves, João Pissarra (org.), Comunicação e Sociedade: Os Efeitos Sociais dos Meios de Comunicação de Massas, Lisboa, Livros Horizonte, 2002.
Language	Portuguese. Tutorial support is available in English.