Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an Emphasis in Political Campaigns
What Is Political Communications?
Political communications is a communications and political science hybrid that focuses on the different ways information can spread and how it influences policy makers, news outlets, politicians, citizens and politics as a whole. Political communications includes discourse at every level and politicians often use it to see how political information can be leveraged to achieve their political goals and push their agendas.
Earn Your Communications BA Degree in Political Campaigns From GCU
Grand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communications with an Emphasis in Political Campaigns is designed for individuals who are passionate about political communications and the strategic choices made to influence the public through communications.
Through GCU's courses, students will learn how to construct logical, cohesive and persuasive arguments, apply appropriate critical inquiry strategies and make informed decisions based on historical information, all while gaining experience writing political speeches and diplomatic communications. Upon completing this program, students will be equipped with the necessary skills and experience to work in marketing, advertising, public relations, journalism, digital media or politics.
Political Communications in the Digital Age
Political communications has played a large part in our world for decades but has recently been altered significantly due to the rise of social media. While the concept of conveying information to politicians, news outlets and the public has remained the same, the ways in which it’s done have changed. Instead of getting news directly from the source, we’re now also getting it from third-parties on social media. Additionally, politicians are using social media and video platforms to their advantage by sharing their message with the public in-real time.
GCU’s BA of Arts in Communications with an Emphasis in Political Campaigns provides students with the skills necessary to use this shift in political communications to their advantage. Courses for this 120-credit program are taught by seasoned experts and to graduate, all students must pass courses including:
- Introduction to Political Theory
- Relation Communications
- Communication Theory of Political Campaigns
- Political Campaign Management
- Communication Research Methods and Communication Ethics
In addition to passing these courses, all students are required to showcase what they’ve learned in this program by completing a communications capstone.
Potential Careers With a Political Communications Bachelor of Arts Degree
Graduates of GCU’s BA in Communications with an Emphasis in Political Campaigns are prepared for positions in advertising, marketing, public relations, digital media, journalism and politics. Graduates may also go on to work in a corporate setting. Program graduates may also go on to become:
- Program managers
- Employer engagement specialists
- Account executives
- Account coordinators
- Member advocates
- Public relations managers
- Corporate communications specialists
- Human resources representatives
- Communications campaign managers
- Broadcasters and news anchors
- Journalists and more
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General Education Requirements
General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University’s General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.
Requirements
Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community.
Course Options
- UNV-103, University Success: 4
- UNV-303, University Success: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to construct rhetorically effective communications appropriate to diverse audiences, purposes, and occasions (English composition, communication, critical reading, foreign language, sign language, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of English grammar or composition.
Course Options
- ENG-105, English Composition I: 4
- UNV-104, 21st Century Skills: Communication and Information Literacy: 4
- ENG-106, English Composition II: 4
- COM-263, Elements of Intercultural Communication: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to express aspects of Christian heritage and worldview. Students are required to take CWV-101/CWV-301.
Course Options
- CWV-101, Christian Worldview: 4
- CWV-301, Christian Worldview: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments. Students are required to take 3 credits of college mathematics or higher.
Course Options
- MAT-144, College Mathematics: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology, sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology, economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, cross-cultural studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature, health, etc.). If the predefined course is a part of the major, students need to take an additional course.
Course Options
- PSY-102, General Psychology: 4
- INT-244, World Religions: 4
- SOC-100, Everyday Sociology: 4
Core Courses
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the field of communication with emphasis on the history of communication study, relevant communication theories guiding current research, the contexts in which communication occurs, and issues faced by students of communication. The course focuses on introducing students to various communication models as well as theories and skills in interpersonal communication, small group communication, mass communication, intercultural communication, and public communication.
Course Description
This course examines the principles and processes of small groups and the development of skills for participation and leadership in small group settings, as well as practice in problem solving, decision making, critical reasoning, and information sharing.
Course Description
This writing-intensive course focuses on improving communication among people with different racial, ethnic, cultural, and minority backgrounds. Students explore verbal and nonverbal communication behaviors in a variety of communication media and contexts. Communication styles, rituals, and traditions are explored through an examination of mass media, family structure, religion, politics, education, social life, art, and literature.
Course Description
This course is designed to introduce the concepts and theories relevant to understanding conflict communication and the negotiation process. In this course, students are introduced to various elements of conflict and negotiation communication across a variety of contexts including interpersonal, organizational, and international. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to analyze power dynamics in relationships, identify conflict styles and tactics, and apply intervention techniques in contexts that are relevant to their future relationships and careers.
Course Description
This course introduces students to the study of ethics as it applies in the communication field. As aspiring communication professionals, students need to learn how to engage in communication that is not only appropriate but also responsive to sound ethical principles. In this course, students learn about major ethical theories and explore how these theories are applied in workplace communication, interpersonal relationships, mass media, and intercultural communication contexts.
Course Description
This course provides an overview of the concepts, methods, and tools for communication research design, implementation, interpretation, and critical evaluation in communication research. Prerequisite: COM-100.
Course Description
This course examines the political processes that determine who gets what, when, and how in society, and explores the issues and concepts that are used to develop and critique political theories. The classics as well as the more contemporary expressions of political thought are introduced.
Course Description
This course introduces students to the relationship between argumentation and advocacy as well as the role of worldviews in shaping the arguments surrounding relevant social issues. This course presents the concepts and skills related to the study of argumentation. Students are introduced to the principles and elements of argumentation in everyday communication across contexts, as well as the skills necessary in constructing and evaluating written and oral arguments.
Course Description
This writing-intensive course focuses on the communication processes in personal relationships such as romantic relationships, family relationships, and friendships. Through quantitative and qualitative methods and other theoretical perspectives, students in this class examine the expression and interpretation of messages in everyday personal interactions as well as significant relational events. Students also explore communication processes involved in developing, maintaining, and dissolving relationships, how communication impacts partners and their relationships, and how to improve relational quality or individual well-being through communication.
Course Description
Through an examination of relevant philosophical theories, students examine the concept of power and how it influences political communication strategies. Students learn how to apply theories to current political situations.
Course Description
In this course, students learn how to create and transmit messages designed for a political campaign. Students, either as a future candidate or speechwriter, analyze and create political addresses, speak and debate with limited preparation, and respond to different crisis that arise in campaigns.
Course Description
In this course, students learn how to successfully manage a political campaign office. Through examination of group dynamics and management techniques, students gain practical skills such as analyzing community demographics, appropriately communicating, and adapting to the community.
Course Description
This course includes a culminating reflection and collection of integral works from students' time in the major. Students engage in research specific to their career or graduate school goals and develop a project that displays what they have learned while in the program. Students are exposed to practitioners in the communication field. Students are taught how to effectively communicate their research and develop other skills that support a successful transition into the workforce or graduate school. Prerequisite: COM-333, COM-355.
Join Grand Canyon University’s vibrant and growing campus community, with daytime classes designed for traditional students. Immerse yourself in a full undergraduate experience, complete with curriculum designed within the context of our Christian worldview.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom.
* Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change.