The Political Communication Interdisciplinary Minor is designed for students interested in the way ideas are communicated and shape the political process. It emphasizes the knowledge and abilities relevant to participation in political environments. The minor is particularly relevant for students interested in communication, law, politics, public administration, public deliberation, public policy, and other professions that deal with issues in public settings.
Coordinated by the Department of Political Science. For more information on declaring a minor in Political Communication, please visit Clark C346 or contact Lauren Tighe at lauren.tighe@colostate.edu.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this minor, students will be able to:
- Master basic principles of political communication and be able to integrate them in the analysis of questions about politics, public policy, and societal institutions.
- Define and explain a range of theoretical approaches to political communication from interdisciplinary perspectives.
- Apply tools of political communication to real-world settings.
Effective Fall 2026
Students must satisfactorily complete the total credits required for the minor. Minors and interdisciplinary minors require 12 or more upper-division (300- to 400-level) credits.
Additional coursework may be required due to prerequisites.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| REQUIRED COURSES | ||
| POLS 101 | American Government and Politics (GT-SS1) | 3 |
| SPCM 420 | Political Communication | 3 |
| POLITICAL SCIENCE | ||
| Select 6-9 credits from the following: 1 | 6-9 | |
| U.S. Political Parties and Elections | ||
| Politics of Organized Interests | ||
| Legislative Politics | ||
| Executive Politics | ||
| Media and Politics | ||
| U.S. Environmental Politics and Policy | ||
| Global Environmental Politics | ||
| U.S. Civil Rights and Liberties | ||
| Democratic Theory | ||
| Comparative Social Movements | ||
| Public Policy Process | ||
| Globalization, Sustainability, and Justice | ||
| COMMUNICATION STUDIES | ||
| Select 6-9 credits from the following: 1 | 6-9 | |
| Speeches and Social Change | ||
| Persuasion | ||
| Freedom of Speech | ||
| Film and Social Change | ||
| Rhetoric in Social Movements | ||
| Public Deliberation | ||
| Applied Deliberative Techniques | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| International and Intercultural Communication | ||
| Program Total Credits: | 21 | |
- 1
Students must complete 6 credits of required courses and a minimum total of 15 credits from the two course selection lists, as shown.