Political Communication (Com 371)
Joseph Zompetti
Illinois State University
School of Communication jpzompe@ilstu.edu

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Make PEP more cohesive
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Develop instructional experiences
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Enhance student knowledge, attitudes & behaviors

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Gain different perspectives from a cohort
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Building knowledge from contemporary literature
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Develop a cohesive pedagogical approach
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Work on “transformational goals” (as opposed to
“transactional” philosophy)
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Work on learning outcomes/objectives
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Work on experiential activities

1.
Establish a “transformative goal”
2.
Formulate a purpose
3.
Generate course objectives
4.
Develop instructional activities & experiences

1. to understand our role in political communication
2. to understand components and dynamics of political communication
3. provide opportunities for students to engage in political communication
4. to appreciate their abilities to make a difference
5. Others:
Realize potential as a citizen
Be a more active citizen
Be more knowledgeable
Obtain some media literacy
Enhance critical thinking skills
Take ownership

The purpose of this course is to provide students with opportunities involving knowledge, skills and attitudes in order to realize the potential for a more active citizenry. OR….
This course will provide students with opportunities involving knowledge, skills and attitudes for the purpose of realizing the potential for a more active citizenry

This course examines basic theory and research relating to political campaign communication.
Special attention is paid to the persuasive process of political campaigning focusing upon the role of the media, the candidate, image creation and other selected topics on political campaign communication. We will also examine the importance of political communication on citizen advocacy and activism.

At the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. recognize and describe the key components of political communication,
2. in oral and written capacities, express critical arguments about political communication,
3. have a working vocabulary of different concepts involving political communication, citizenship and democracy,
4. have a familiarity and critical understanding of key, common theories involving political communication.

This course examines basic theory and research relating to political communication from the perspective of civic engagement. Special attention is paid to the persuasive process of political campaigning focusing upon the role of citizens, role of the media, the candidate, image creation and other selected topics on political campaign communication. Throughout the course we will examine the importance of political communication on citizen advocacy and activism.

[in addition to the current objectives] … Students will:
1. Learn how to be more active participants in the political communication process
2. Learn how to be advocates
3. Understand the relevancy of political communication in their individual lives
4. Experience how to process and create change in political communication

PRE-COURSE REDESIGN
Political Communication
Presidential Campaigns
Local Political Communication
CE/PEP

POST-COURSE REDESIGN
PEP Context
Everyday political comm
Political
Communication
President
Campaign
Congress
Local &
Community

TYPES OF INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES &
EXPERIENCES:
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Vote
Write
Research
Talk
Go to rally
Understand the process
Go to lecture
Current events
Others?

Joseph Zompetti
Illinois State University
School of Communication jpzompe@ilstu.edu