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Unit of study_
GOVT3644: Political Campaigning
2026 unit information
This unit focuses on the art and science of running political campaigns. Based around a problem-oriented learning approach with an applied project, the course provides a primer on situational analysis, campaign planning, resource mobilisation, issue framing, and persuasion. The course considers overt and covert strategies for political change, including positive and negative messaging, with students evaluating a campaign opportunity and developing a for-implementation campaign plan in response through team-based work.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Arts and Social Sciences
| Study level | Undergraduate |
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| Academic unit | Government and International Relations |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Demonstrate understanding of academic research to generate informed insights and apply evidence-based models to campaign activities, including voter behaviour, political narratives, and campaign messaging.
- LO2. Analyse contemporary political campaign strategies using key concepts to demonstrate critical evaluation.
- LO3. Evaluate ethical implications of campaign tactics, including digital, data-driven, and grassroots methods.
- LO4. Communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to different audiences through written, oral, and digital formats.
- LO5. Demonstrate creative thinking and team work in considering campaign plans that integrate message framing, audience needs, and multimodal communication techniques suitable for real-world political environments.
- LO6. Reflect critically on the professional, ethical, and personal responsibilities involved in political campaigning, demonstrating awareness of power, representation, and the impact of political persuasion.
Unit availability
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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