Department of Communication Studies
Political Communication (BS)
John Keane Studies Communication in Politics and Marketing
John Keane talks about what it's like to learn from a presidential campaign manager and intern with Governor Deval Patrick. (Filmed and edited by Emerson College students.)
A major in Leadership, Politics, and Social Advocacy will prepare you for such careers as communication advisor, press secretary, governmental relations officer, nonprofit leader, and cultural affairs advocate, among many others. The program’s core curriculum balances the theory and the practical skills necessary for effective, ethical communication in a changing and complex media environment. Those wishing to pursue this major are strongly encouraged to complete one of three internship opportunities extended by the Department: The Emerson Washington, D.C., semester, the Civic Engagement semester, or the Presidential Campaign semester.
Program Requirements
| CC 200 | Communication and the Political World |
| CC 263 | Argument and Advocacy |
| CC 266 | Conflict and Negotiation |
| CC 280 | Communication Theory |
| CC 303 | Politics, Advocacy, and Public Opinion Research |
| CC 345 | The Public Affairs Matrix: Media, Politics, and Advocacy |
| CC 357 | Leadership |
| CC 475 | Capstone in Leadership, Politics, and Social Advocacy |
Three courses from the following:
(Departmental advising is available to assist students in developing a specialization with their elective course.)
| CC 203 | Intercultural Communication |
| CC 310 | Campaign Management |
| CC 330 | Management and Communication |
| CC 343 | Rhetorical Theory: Audience Analysis |
| CC 344 | Rhetoric of Social Movements |
| CC 410 | Language, Symbols, and Political Communication |
| CC 415 | Mediation, Facilitation, and Dialogue |
| CC 422 | Politics and Comedy: Subversive Laughter |
| CC 423 | Crisis Communication |
| CC 471 | Topics in Leadership, Politics, and Social Advocacy |
| CC 498 | Directed Study in Communication |
| CC 499 | Internship in Communication |
| PH 300 | Special Topics in Political Philosophy (Spring 2013: Citizenship as Civic Engagement) |
Recommended Outside Electives
| HI 203 | Social Movements in the U.S. |
| PH 110 | Ethics and Justice |
| PL 231 | Personality, Power, and Politics |
| PL 328 | Political Thought |
| PL 332 | Civil Rights |
| PL 333 | The First Amendment |
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Student Organizations
With two rich majors covering topics ranging from intercultural communication to politics and public advocacy, there is something for everyone in one of our seven student organizations. Learn more:
- Communication, Politics, and Law Association
- Emerson Pre-Law Society
- Emerson Model United Nations
- Emerson Forensics
