Minor in Political Communication (CHSS)

Catalog Year: 2023-2024

Banner Code: LA-MINOR-COMM-PCOM

This interdisciplinary minor is offered jointly by the Schar School of Policy and Government and the Department of Communication.

Political communication explores the interaction among members of the public, the media, advocacy groups, and politicians in a democratic society. This minor uses a diverse approach to questions of how mass and interpersonal communication influence democratic functioning, including:

  1. how political actors use strategic messaging to persuade and mobilize the public;
  2. how citizens make sense of these messages and their impact on engagement, deliberation, efficacy, knowledge, and participation;
  3. the role of the mass media in facilitating or hindering this relationship.

Political communication includes explicitly political activities like voting and political campaigns. It also encompasses any issue of public debate or deliberation, including culture and social movements.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.

Minor Requirements

Total credits: 18

Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.

Coursework

COMM 327 Political Communication 3
COMM 412 Politics and the Mass Media 3
or GOVT 412 Politics and the Mass Media
Total Credits 6

Communication and Political Process

Select one course from the following: 1 3
Rhetoric of Social Movements and Political Controversy (Mason Core)  
Political Journalism  
New Media and Democracy  
Free Speech and Ethics (Mason Core)  
Community Engagement and Collaborative Problem Solving  
Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior  
Total Credits 3

Persuasion Theory

Select one course from the following: 1 3
Case Studies in Persuasion  
Theories of Argumentation  
Argument and Public Policy (Mason Core)  
Persuasion  
Political Psychology  
Diplomacy  
Total Credits 3

Political Process

Select one course from the following: 1 3
The American Presidency  
Political Parties and Campaigns  
Interest Groups, Lobbying, and the Political Process  
Public Policy Making  
Comparative Political Leadership  
Human Rights  
Revolution and International Politics  
Total Credits 3

Cultural Politics

Select one course from the following: 1 3
Media Criticism  
Environmental Communication  
Topics in Communication and Gender  
Introduction to Environmental Policy  
Politics of Race and Gender  
Feminist Political Thought  
Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society  
Total Credits 3
1

COMM 386 Special Topics in Political Communication may be substituted for any other COMM course with the permission of the minor director, depending on the specific topic.

GOVT 319 Issues in Government and Politics may be substituted for any other GOVT course with the permission of the minor director, depending on the specific topic. Courses from the Schar School of Policy and Government may be substituted in the cultural politics, persuasion theory, or political process categories, with the permission of the minor director.