Political Communication is not on offer in 2025. Applicants are invited to apply for Media Theory & Practice, which may offer some electives from the Political Communication programme.

Course Convenor

A/Prof. Musawenkosi Ndlovu


Admission requirements:

(a) Faculty requirements are set out under rules FM3.

(b) Programme requirements:

  • Completion of an Honours degree or a four-year degree with a strong emphasis on Political Science, Journalism or Media

OR

  • We will consider applications from students who have completed a degree and other postgraduate qualifications and have relevant political communication experience.

(c) Acceptance will be on the recommendation of the Convenor, working in collaboration with the programme committee, who will consider applications and may interview candidates. Normally candidates will be expected to have an upper second or better result for their honours degree.


Prescribed curriculum:

Master’s students are required to complete a minor dissertation and four taught courses of which no more than two can be at HEQSF Level 8 (4000 level).

Compulsory (Core) courses  

NQF credits    

HEQSF level  

FAM5017F 

 

Political Communication 

24 

FAM5013F 

 

 

Advanced Media Methodology 

24

FAM5006W 

 

Minor Dissertation (and one of the following) 

96 

FAM5011S 

 

Media and the Public Domain 

24 

FAM5014F/S 

 

Media, Development and the Environment

24 

Elective courses: If students have already taken any of the compulsory courses, or an equivalent course elsewhere, they may be allowed to substitute another course with the permission of the convenor. In the overall choices, at least two of the courses chosen must be at the 5000 level.

Elective courses  

NQF credits    

HEQSF level  

FAM5018S 

 

Political Journalism 

24 

FAM4018S 

 

 

Crisis Communication in Africa             

 

24 

FAM4031F/S 

 

South African Public Rhetoric 

24 

FAM5038S Digital Methods for Social Media Research 24

9