One of the primary purposes of communication in representative political systems is to exchange ideas and opinions about how to govern ourselves. Courses in the political communication area concentration examine how citizens and communities talk among themselves, how public officials make decisions together, and how citizens and officeholders talk to each other. Some courses also explore the role of communication in autocratic political regimes.

The University of Washington also offers an interdisciplinary Ph.D. concentration in Political Communication. To learn more about this certificate program, click here.

Faculty

The faculty listed below emphasize this area of study in their teaching and research, though most have additional areas of expertise. This list is not exhaustive, as many University of Washington faculty outside the Department of Communication also teach courses and conduct research in this area.

Courses

Graduate students who wish to learn more about political communication can enroll in the Department of Communication courses listed below. Students also typically enroll in other courses within and outside the Department, and students are welcome to develop programs of study that combine different area emphases.