Minor in Political Communication (CHSS)
Catalog Year: 2025-2026
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:
- how political actors use strategic messaging to persuade and mobilize the public;
- how citizens make sense of these messages and their impact on engagement, deliberation, efficacy, knowledge, and participation;
- 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.
Admissions
This minor is available to all Mason undergraduate students with the exception of communication majors pursuing a concentration in political communication.
Policies
Eight credits of coursework must be unique to the minor and students must complete all coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.00. A minimum of 6 COMM credits and a minimum of 6 GOVT credits are required. For policies governing all minors, see AP.5.3.4 Minors.
Minor Requirements
Total credits: 18
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 227 | Introduction to Political Communication | 3 |
| COMM 412 | Media and Political Controversy | 3 |
| or GOVT 412 | Media and Political Controversy | |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Additional Coursework
Communication and Political Process
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one course from the following: 1 | 3 | |
| Political Journalism | ||
| Social Media and Democratic Engagement | ||
| Free Speech and Ethics (Mason Core) | ||
| Communicating Dissent: Revolutions and Social Movements | ||
| Community Engagement and Collaborative Problem Solving | ||
| Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Persuasion Theory
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one course from the following: 1 | 3 | |
| Case Studies in Persuasion | ||
| Theories of Argumentation | ||
| Persuasion | ||
| Argument and Public Policy | ||
| Political Psychology | ||
| Diplomacy | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Political Process
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
| Artificial Intelligence: Technological and Societal Implications | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Cultural Politics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one course from the following: 1 | 3 | |
| Media Criticism | ||
| Environmental Communication, Campaigns, and Social Movements | ||
| 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 | |
Practical Applications
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 credits of internship may be substituted for any course in Additional Coursework with permission of the minor director. | ||
| Internship in Communication | ||
| Internship | ||
- 1
-
COMM 386 Special Topics in Advocacy 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.