Political Communication B.A.
Political Communication Major
The B.A. Political Communication major requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes UNIFI/General Education requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 120 hours.
| Required courses: | ||
| CM CORE 1010 | Mass Communication and Society | 3 |
| or COMM DM 1611 | Media and Power | |
| CM CORE 3255 | Advocacy Campaigns | 3 |
| COMM 4211/5211 | Rhetoric and Civic Culture | 3 |
| COMM 4216/POLSCI 4160/5160 | Political Communication | 3 |
| POLSCI 1014 | Power & Politics in the U.S. *** | 3 |
| POLSCI 3112 | Campaigns and Elections | 3 |
| POLSCI/PSYCH 3150 | Public Opinion and Voting Behavior | 3 |
| Internship in Communication and Media/Political Science: | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Internship in Communication and Media | ||
or POLSCI 3181 | Internship in Politics | |
| Engaged Learning: *, ** | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Citizen Participation and Civic Engagement | ||
| Seminar in Public Administration | ||
or UNIV 3930 | Civic Engagement and the Humanities: (Topic) | |
| Electives: | 12 | |
| Complete 6 hours in two bundles | ||
| Bundle 1: Data Analysis | ||
| Social Sciences Statistics | ||
or STAT 1772 | Introduction to Statistical Methods | |
| Quantitative Research Methods | ||
| Analyzing Politics | ||
or CM CORE 2020 | Communication Research Methods | |
| Qualitative Research Methods * | ||
| Geographic Information Systems I | ||
| Bundle 2: Campaign Communications | ||
| Political Psychology | ||
| Political Parties and Interest Groups | ||
| Congress: The First Branch | ||
| Persuasion | ||
| Principles of Public Relations | ||
| Social Media | ||
| Bundle 3: Digital Communication Tools | ||
| Digital Toolbox | ||
| Interactive Digital Communication | ||
or COMM DM 2651 | Digital Media Production II | |
| Bundle 4: Communication in Public Organizations | ||
| Introduction to Public Administration | ||
| Leadership and Management in Public Service | ||
| Modern Presidency | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Organizational Communication Assessment * | ||
| Total Hours | 39 | |
- *
Choice of courses and subsequent prerequisites may increase the length of this program. These courses have additional prerequisites as follows:
POLSCI 3181 has prerequisites of POLSCI 2010; 15 hours of Political Science, Political Communication, or Public Administration major.
POLSCI 4188/5188 has a prerequisite of POLSCI 1048; junior standing.
COMM 4022/5022 has a prerequisite of CM CORE 2020 or equivalent; junior standing.
COMM 4155/5155 has a prerequisite of CM CORE 2020 or consent of instructor; COMM 3055; junior standing.
- **
Students may take an additional 3 hours of Internship CM CORE 3900/5900 or POLSCI 3181 to satisfy the Engaged Learning requirement.
- ***
POLSCI 1014 satisfies the Human Condition: Domestic UNIFI requirement.
Four-Year Plan
Political Communication, B.A.
This major is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Communication Studies and the Department of Political Science. This is a sample plan of study with a suggested sequencing of classes for the major. University electives may be applied to earn additional academic majors, minors, or certificates. Students should regularly meet with their academic advisor to plan their specific semester schedule to include UNIFI/General Education program and/or university elective hours required.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hour | |
| POLSCI 1014 | Power & Politics in the U.S. | 3 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CM CORE 1010 | Mass Communication and Society | 3 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| POLSCI 2010 or CM CORE 2020 or COMM 4023 | 3 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CM CORE 3255 | Advocacy Campaigns | 3 |
| Bundle Elective | 3 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| POLSCI 4160/5160 | Political Communication | 3 |
| POLSCI 3112 | Campaigns and Elections | 3 |
| COMM 4444/5444 | Communication, Community, and Change | 3 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMM 4211/5211 | Rhetoric and Civic Culture | 3 |
| POLSCI 3150 | Public Opinion and Voting Behavior | 3 |
| Bundle Elective | 3 | |
| Engaged Learning Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| CM CORE 3900 Internship in Communication and Media or POLSCI 3181 Internship in Politics | 3 | |
| Bundle Elective | 3 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Political Communication elective/Communication & Media course | 3 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 15 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Learning Outcomes
Political Communication, B.A.
- Outcome 1: Students will be able to critically evaluate political communication concepts and theories to explain and investigate political communication phenomena such as elite rhetoric, persuasion, political campaign, political journalism.
- Outcome 2: Students will be able to analyze evidence and data and use it to assess claims/ test hypotheses.
- Outcome 3: Students will be able to develop persuasive arguments and reasoned judgments about the role of communication in democracy.
- Outcome 4: Students will be able to create political communication campaign materials.
- Outcome 5: Students will communicate effectively in writing.
- Outcome 6: Students will communicate effectively through oral presentations.