Political Communication and Advocacy, Minor

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The program helps students become more effective political communicators and advocates, developing skills and knowledge that can translate into work in campaigning, policy-making and -marketing, and lobbying. Students majoring in political science or in any other field may minor in Political Communication and Advocacy by completing 18 units of coursework. Beyond required lower- and upper-division coursework, students will work with the political science Internship Coordinator to complete three to six units of a relevant internship.

Contact Information

Department of Political Science
Thompson Building 221
(775) 784-4601
polisci@unr.edu
www.unr.edu/political-science

College of Liberal Arts Student Center
Lincoln Hall 314
(775) 682-8745
www.unr.edu/cla-advising

I. Program Requirements (18 units)

Students majoring in any field may minor in political communication and advocacy by completing the following:

Minor GPA | 2.0
Minor Upper-Division Units | 12
Minor Residency Requirement | 6 Upper-Division Units in the minor at UNR
Unit Limits: Per College of Liberal Arts policy, no more than 9 units counted towards any major may be reused to meet the requirements of this minor.

A. Lower-Division coursework (6 units)

Students are required to take one course from each of the following two lists.

i. Communication Foundations (3 units)

COM 113 - Fundamentals of Speech Communication (3 units) CO6
COM 209 - Debate and Critical Thinking (1 to 3 units) variable (enroll for 3 units)
COM 210 - Introduction to Public Advocacy and Rhetoric (3 units)
COM 217 - Argumentation and Debate (3 units)

ii. Political Foundations (3 units)

PSC 101 - American Politics: Process and Behavior (3 units) CO6, CO8
PSC 208 - Survey of State and Local Governments (3 units)
PSC 210 - American Public Policy (3 units)

B. Upper-Division Coursework (12 units)

Students are required to take 12 units of coursework from the following three lists. At least 3 units must be earned from each list.

i. Upper-Division Communication (3-6 units)

COM 395 - Crisis Communication (3 units) CO12
COM 404 - Principles of Persuasion (3 units)
COM 412 - Intercultural Communication (3 units) CO10, CO11, CO13
COM 475 - Communication and Community Engagement (3 units) CO12, CO13

ii. Upper-Division Politics (3-6 units)

PSC 304 - The Legislative Process (3 units)
PSC 305 - The American Presidency (3 units)
PSC 320 - Policy Analysis (3 units)
PSC 353 - Identity Politics in the United States (3 units) CO10
PSC 401F - Public Opinion and Political Behavior (3 units)
PSC 401G - Political Campaigns & Elections (3 units)
PSC 401H - American Political Parties and Electoral Behavior (3 units)
PSC 401L - Citizen Participation, Pressure Groups and Political Movements (3 units)
PSC 403J - Political Ethics and Political Corruptions (3 units) CO12, CO13

iii. Internship (3-6 units)

Students must complete at least 3 units of a relevant internship. Students are highly encouraged to work with the Political Science internship coordinator to identify and secure potential internship opportunities well in advance of enrolling in internship coursework—see the Political Science website for more information about preparing for internships.

PSC 490F - Internship: Public Service (1 to 12 units) CO14
PSC 490G - Internship: Congressional (3 to 6 units) CO14
PSC 490H - Nevada Legislative Internship (1 to 6 units) CO14