M.A. in Communication – Political Communication

Overview of the historical roots, methodological groundings and present state of the communication field with particular attention to its specialized vocabulary, important writers and works and significant scholarly journals.  Pass/No Pass.

Gives the student an opportunity to apply classroom learning to professional work situations. (Pass/No Pass). All MFA or M.A. internships have the 95 designation.

Prominent historical and theoretical perspectives of media and popular culture and their influence on individuals and communities from a Christocentric worldview.  Provides media professionals and emergent scholars with an understanding of the role of media and narrative in the development of worldviews.  Cross-listed with JRN 600.

Media industry research methods, evaluation and analysis techniques, including surveys, content analyses, polling, data mining, in-depth interviews, and focus groups.  Common research practices of professional journalists, public relations practitioners, film-television professionals, media analysts and consultants, and communication scholars are examined.  Web-based lab included.  Cross-listed with JRN 601.

Designed to develop an understanding of important theories of social influence pertinent to media and culture, this course features content including the study of diffusion of innovations, social marketing, entertainment-education, agenda setting, and other communication and development processes.  Social change will be studied within the context of Scripture at the individual, organizational, community, national and international levels.  Course will benefit anyone who seeks to know how mass media influences people’s attitudes, values, beliefs and practices.  Students may have the opportunity to get involved in applied research projects that address some of the most significant issues and needs in contemporary society.

Students work with faculty to learn about academic requirements for publication, determine the topic/set-up of culminating projects, complete necessary preparation to begin projects, and arrange for committee assignments.  Pass/No Pass.

Degree candidates complete a media project as appropriate to their degree plans within the departments of Film-Television and Strategic Communication and Journalism. May be repeated for up to six credits. Prerequisite: COM 691. Pass/No Pass.

Valuable for those considering advanced graduate or doctoral studies leading to a career in higher education. Students writing a thesis must demonstrate a good understanding of research methods and the ability to apply those methods to a research project. May be repeated for up to six credits.  Prerequisite:  COM 691. All MFA or M.A. theses have the 99 designation.  Doctoral dissertations are designated COM 799. Pass/No Pass.

Offers a biblical perspective of the religious, philosophical, and cultural foundations of Western civilization as expressed in education, law, ethics, biology, politics, science, psychology, sociology, economics and history. It will contrast biblical Christianity with the other principal worldviews in Western civilization: Secular Humanism, Marxism/Leninism and Cosmic Humanism (New Age), and will analyze public policy issues using each worldview.

Foundational seminar for graduate work in American politics.  Introduces behavioral, reflexivist and institutional approaches to study of key concepts in American politics – including the presidency, Congress, voting and the judiciary.

Reviews advanced economic topics and analyze economic and international trade policies in light of global trade issues. In addition to conducting cost/benefit analysis of economic policies, examine and present alternative solutions to trade and finance problems.

The major approaches and methodologies of international relations, examines the First, Second and Third Debates within the field, reviews emerging topics and identifies research questions.

Examination of the philosophical and religious roots of early America from the colonial era to the formation of the Constitution.

Broadens individual understanding of the ever changing nature of international terrorism and its consequences on American society at large. It covers the present-day US domestic and external responses to terrorism and focus on the rise of the US Homeland Security Agency.  Also, there is a focus on trends in modern terrorism, especially the proliferation of WMD and what the US can do (or is doing) to counter such trends.

Policies and procedures to mitigate, prevent and respond to disaster, the literature of risk, regimes for safety and risk reduction, the ethics of care and compassion, and mechanisms for measuring threat and recovery.

Describes major healthcare decision making frameworks on a federal state and local level, and examines key issues such as the intersection of race, poverty, gender and health.  Introduces key ethical and philosophical principles associated with healthcare management, planning and delivery from a Christian perspective.

Supervised work experience for the purpose of applying curriculum content to current public policy, political management or public administration issues. Requires approval of advisor through submission of Individual Study Form and written internship proposal. Political Management students may fulfill the internship requirement with volunteer and/or paid positions with two or more political campaigns, in consultation with the Program Director.