JMC Student Handbook 2009-2010.pub - Columbian College of Arts ...

SCHOOL of MEDIA and PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Political Communication
Undergraduate Student Handbook

Program Overview
T
he Political Communication Major is unique — a combination of
communication, journalism and political science. It's the only one
available in the heart of the nation's capital, literally just blocks from
the White House. Political communication focuses on the creation,
dissemination, processing and effects of information as a political
resource by individuals, organizations or governments.
If you choose this major, you will analyze media coverage, learn how to frame messages and communicate
strategically, and discuss the media's role domestic and international relations. You will study how political
actors and institutions influence media coverage and the effects of that coverage on public opinion, policy
and social life. Our D.C. location affords you the opportunity to take advantage of limitless internships and
other extracurricular activities.
Upon graduation, you will become part of an accomplished network of Political Communication alumni
working in government, political consulting, advocacy,
campaign management, public diplomacy, corporate public
affairs, public relations, and new media.
About SMPA
The School of Media and Public Affairs is a
recognized center for teaching and research in
political communication, journalism, global media
studies, and documentary filmmaking. Our faculty
is composed of accomplished scholars, award
winning journalists, and dedicated educators. Our
mission is to explore how ideas and information
are communicated and how the media influence
policy and politics in a democracy.
Our location in the nation's capital—just four
blocks from the White House and three blocks
from the State Department—provides our
students unequalled access and opportunity. We
bring together some of the most compelling and
influential voices in media, politics and public
affairs. Students have access to hundreds of jobs
and internships in government, news and
advocacy organizations. Our television studio,
state of the art video equipment, editing suites,
and digital media expertise provide exceptional
opportunities to learn and produce in a hands-on
environment.
The approach to everything we do at SMPA—
research, teaching, and production—stems from
the belief that theory and practice are inseparable.
Our students study with leading scholars and
award-winning journalists who bring real world
experience to the classroom. Our undergraduate
and graduate programs combine elements of
strategic communication, journalism, and political
communication, preparing our students for
distinguished careers in new and traditional media
organizations, government, politics, and business.
This handbook will provide specific information about the Political Communication major and help guide you through
your degree.
For more information, please visit our website:
http://smpa.gwu.edu
School of Media and Public Affairs Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
The George Washington University 801 22nd St. NW, Phillips Hall
805 21st St., NW, Suite 400 Washington DC 20052
Washington, DC, 20052 Phone: (202) 994-6130
Phone: (202) 994-6227 Fax: (202) 994-0854
Fax: (202) 994-580

Application Process
T
he Political Communication major is a selective
major. Students may apply for direct admission
as freshmen or in the sophomore year.
Non-GW students applying as a
freshman
High school students may apply to study in SMPA
by indicating their wishes on the general
application to the university. Although students
will generally not begin taking SMPA courses until
they are sophomores, applicants learn about
whether they have been admitted to SMPA at the
same they learn about admission to the Columbian
College of Arts and Sciences at GW.
GW students applying for a Political
Communication major
Once on the campus, any GW sophomore already
in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences may
apply directly to SMPA by submitting an essay, an
application form, a declaration form, and a
transcript to the school. Deadlines for
applications usually occur about the fourth
week of the fall and spring semesters.
Students who were turned down as
freshmen are free to apply again and will
have equal standing with other applicants.
A sophomore who is not accepted may
apply a second time.
Selection is made through a competitive
application process. Students are required
to have an overall 3.0 GPA for
consideration. Meeting the minimum
standards does not guarantee admission.
Overall GPA, performance in selected
Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
courses, demonstrated interest in the field
of political communication, and a short
essay are the major factors used in judging
applications. The application information
can be found here:
smpa.gwu.edu/admissions/undergraduate

Advising
I
n the freshman year, each student is assigned a Columbian College of Arts and Sciences academic
advisor. The academic advisor will work with students from matriculation to graduation to help
them navigate the general GW requirements for the degree. See the CCAS advising website for more
information: http://columbian.gwu.edu/undergraduate/advising
In the sophomore year, students are assigned a faculty advisor in the
School of Media and Public Affairs. Faculty advisors assist with SMPA
major requirements, provide mentoring, and work with students as
they consider post-graduate plans.
The best advising happens when faculty and students work together
to chart an appropriate course through the requirements of the
major. Students are encouraged to visit with their faculty advisor once
a semester.
Although the faculty advisors make every effort to provide timely
and accurate information through advising, the ultimate
responsibility for assuring steady progress toward the degree rests
with the student.
Students should be aware of two benchmark points in their undergraduate careers which require that
they initiate a review of their progress:
In the junior year, the academic advisor in the Columbian College prepares a "Balance Sheet"
summarizing the remaining requirements a student must meet to graduate. It provides a good
roadmap for a student’s remaining time on campus. A student should request a balance sheet if they
have not received one by the end of the junior year.
At the beginning of the senior year, a student should file an "Application to Graduate." This initiates an
additional review of the record, as well as assuring that the student’s name will appear on a variety of
lists related to graduation activities. The necessary form is available from the Columbian College
Advising Center in Phillips 107.
Career Advising & Placement Services
T
he GW Career Center offers additional career advising and placement services to students at every
stage of their SMPA experience. Students can receive assistance in finding -time a part job
(including Federal Work Study), internships, co-ops, and full-time jobs. The career center’s “FREE” (Find
the Right Experience & Employment) program offers students comprehensive career guidance
throughout their four years at GW. Students are also encouraged to consult with their faculty advisors,
who may also know of internship or employment opportunities.
Email: Phone:
Main: gwcarctr@gwu.edu Main: 202.994.6495
Federal Work Study: fws@gwu.edu Career Resource Room: 202.994.8629
Cooperative Education: gwcoop@gwu.edu Student Employment: 202.994.8046
On Campus Recruiting/Employer Relations: ocr@gwu.edu Employer Relations: 202.994.8633

Curriculum
The following is a checklist of courses needed to fulfill the requirements of the PCM major. Directly admitted
freshmen should concentrate on CCAS requirements during the freshman year.
CCAS Co-Requisite Courses - These courses fulfill GCR requirements.
___ AMSD101/HIST71 Introduction to American Studies/Introduction to American History
___ AMSTD102/HIST72 Introduction to American Studies/Introduction to American History
___ PSC2 Introduction to American Politics and Government
___ PSC1/3 Introduction to Comparative Politics or Introduction to International Politics
___ STAT53 Introduction to Statistics in Social Sciences
SMPA Required Core Courses:
___ SMPA 51 Research Methods
___ SMPA 101 Journalism and Mass Communication Theory and Practice
___ SMPA 102 Introduction to Political Communication
___ SMPA 110 Introduction to News Writing and Reporting
___ SMPA 112 Introduction to Digital Media
___ SMPA 199 Senior Seminar
Major Specific Required Courses:
___SMPA120 or PSC 120 Public Opinion
Two 100 level Political Science Courses
___PSC____
___PSC____

Electives (Choose 7 From the following list):
___ SMPA 141 Campaign Rpt
___ SMPA 145 Editorial & Persuasive
Writing
___ SMPA 150 Public Diplomacy
___ SMPA 151 Pub Affs & Govt Info
___ SMPA 152 Principles of PR
___ SMPA 153 Strategic Pol Comm
___ SMPA 154 Pol Campaign Comm
___ SMPA 155 Camp Advertising
___ SMPA 156 Political Debate
___ SMPA 157 Pol Speech Writing
___ SMPA 158 Strategic Practicum
___ SMPA 159 Language & Politics
___ SMPA 160 Race, Media & Politics
___ SMPA 161 Campaigns & Elections
___ SMPA 162 Info, Media, Nat Security
For descriptions of all courses, see the University Bulletin at:
http://www.gwu.edu/~bulletin/index.html
___ SMPA 163 Media Bias, Power,
Democracy
___ SMPA 169 International Comm
___ SMPA 170 Comparative Media Sys
___ SMPA 171 Media and the
Developing World
___ SMPA 172 Med & Foreign Policy
___ SMPA 173 Media Law
___ SMPA 178 Media Effects
___ SMPA 194 Selected Topics 1
___ SMPA 194 Selected Topics 2
___ SMPA 197 Field Exp/Internship 1
___ SMPA 197 Field Exp/Internship 2
___ SMPA 198 Honors Seminar
___Other/Special
For descriptions of all SMPA courses in the current semester, see the SMPA website at:
http://smpa.gwu.edu/academics/currentstudents/

Internships
Considerable importance is attached to internship activities in the
Political Communication major both because of the ready access to
opportunities in the Washington area, and because the basic
philosophy of the major emphasizes the interaction of theory and
practice.
Students find their own internships, but SMPA is determined to
make every one a worthwhile preview of the professional work life
to come. And sometimes, internships turn into full-time jobs at
places like the NBC Today Show, the prominent political consulting
firm GMMB, Fenn Communications, Edelman, National Geographic or the Washington Post.
SMPA internships are open to juniors and seniors majoring in political communication. A weekly
newsletter emailed to every SMPA student contains postings about dozens of internships available
year round. In addition, faculty members may be able to assist in arranging internships through
their many professional contacts in the Washington area.
Students majoring in Political Communication can be approved for internships in news
organizations, advocacy groups, legislative offices, the White House and executive branch, campaign
organizations, or public relations firms. The internship must be for three credit hours, and be 15
hours of work per week. The recommended weekly maximum work hours for a PCM internship is 15
hours. For further requirements and information, see the SMPA website:
http://smpa.gwu.edu/academics/internships/
Special honors in the major
Students with a 3.7 GPA in all courses completed at GW and in all courses required for the major
may declare for Special Honors in political communication at the beginning of the senior year.
Students take SMPA 199 (Senior Seminar) in the first semester of the senior year and SMPA 198
(Honors Research Seminar) in the second semester. To achieve Special Honors, the student must
maintain the required GPA and present a successful oral defense of a research paper prepared for
the Honors Research Seminar before a committee that
includes the seminar instructor and two other faculty
members nominated by the student and approved by the
seminar instructor.

Dual Degree Programs
SMPA undergraduate students can take advantage of two programs designed to help them achieve a
Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree while saving time and money. SMPA’s B.A. students can enroll in
a Dual Degree Program to pursue additionally either a Master of Arts in Media and Public Affairs with a
concentration in Strategic Political Communication from SMPA, or a Master of Arts in Professional Studies
with a concentration in Political Management from the Graduate School of Political Management.
Interested majors should apply three semesters before graduation, typically the second semester of their
junior year.
For more information, see the SMPA website: http://smpa.gwu.edu/academics/dualdegree/
Academic Integrity
The faculty and students of the Political Communication major do not tolerate academic dishonesty in any
form, and university policies regarding these matters will be rigorously enforced.
http://www.gwu.edu/~ntegrity/code.html
University Resources
Here is a list of additional resources available at GW.
GW Writing Center: http://www.gwu.edu/~gwriter/
GW Counseling Center: http://gwired.gwu.edu/counsel
GW Disability Support Services: http://gwired.gwu.edu/dss
GW Career Center: http://gwired.gwu.edu/career/

SMPA Communications
The SMPA Communications and Marketing office is responsible for all school internal and external
communications, and for updating the many ways that SMPA keeps in touch with current students and
alumni. All current students automatically receive a weekly e-newsletter with internships, events, and
other news.
Here’s a list of other ways to keep in touch with SMPA:
SMPA Events Calendar: http://smpa.gwu.edu/news/calendar/
SMPA on Twitter: @SMPAGWU
SMPA on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SMPAGWU
SMPA on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/GWUSMPA
SMPA on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/smpagwu/sets/
SMPA Blog: http://blogs.columbian.gwu.edu/smpa/