Political Communication

What role does the media play in affecting political attitudes and behaviors—and what does it reveal about the inner workings of political institutions and systems?

For decades, politicians have been increasingly using communications platforms—newspapers, radio, television, and in recent years, social media—to boost their public outreach, enhance their message and manage their brands in a changing and complex media environment.

Through this interdisciplinary minor through the political science and communications & media studies majors, you will learn the analytical, critical thinking and leadership skills in high demand on the campaign trail, in Congress or in boardrooms, situation rooms and news desks across the country and around the world. This minor is a great compliment to students considering communications in journalism, public relations, lobbying and consulting, internal political communications, political campaigns, and politics more generally.

Minor Requirements

View the 2022-2023 Academic Catalog to find course titles, numbers and descriptions.

Requirements for a Minor in Political Communication

  • 1. ENGL1502  Introduction to Communication, Media and Cultural Studies (SA) (SS)
  • 2. POLSC1201  Introduction to American Government and Politics (SA) (SS)(SJ) OR POLSC1301  Introduction to Comparative Politics (SA) (SS) OR POLSC1401  Introduction to International Relations (SA) (SS)

3. MEDIA WRITING (Choose one):

  • ENGL2501  Journalism 
  • ENGL3501  Writing for Electronic Media 
  • ENGL3801  Feature Writing

4. THEORIES OF POLITICAL COMMUNICATION (Choose one):

  • POLSC2207  Politics and the Media 
  • POLSC2409  The Politics of International Economic Relations 
  • POLSC3201  Congress, Representation and the Legislative Process 
  • POLSC3303  Street Democracy

5-6.POLITICAL COMMUNICATION IN PRACTICE (Choose two):

  • POLSC2211 Campaign Strategies and Electoral Politics
  • POLSC2421 Model UN
  • ENGL2521 Public Relations and Persuasion (LI)
  • ENGL2523 Advertising and Culture (VCI)
  • SPCH1111 Public Speaking: Voice and Diction
  • IDS4994 Internship (in Political Communication)

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Featured Faculty: Petros Vamvakas

Petros Vamvakas is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Latin American Studies, Middle East Studies and Peace Studies Programs. His work focuses on security and democratization, as well as issues related to identity and race in politics throughout the Americas. As part of his teaching, he has escorted groups of students to Crete, Greece, and will be bringing a group of students to Cuba.

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