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Professors F.C. Arterton (Dean), D.W. Johnson
Associate Professors C.B. Cushman (Associate Dean), L. Matos (Research), S. Billet
Assistant Professor G. Lebel
Professorial Lecturers M. Edwards, J. Hobson, D. Anderson, M. Cornfield, P. Fenn, M. Braden, R. Faucheux, W. Greener, E. Grefe, B. Tringali, K. Schafer, D. McGroarty, R. Beckel, D. Cantor, C. Darr, R. Fullinwider, D. Lathrop, J.M. Parker, R. Smith, J. Weinberg, R. Whitlock
The Graduate School of Political Management, through the College of Professional Studies, offers the Master of Professional Studies in the fields of political management and legislative affairs. Both programs have a prerequisite of a bachelor’s degree with a B average from an accredited college or university and are subject to the CPS regulations that appear under the respective programs at www.cps.gwu.edu. In addition to these degree programs, graduate certificate programs are offered in political management, community advocacy, and in PACs and political management.
Master of Professional Studies in the field of political management—The 36-credit program requires PMgt 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, and 206 (which must be completed in the first eight courses taken), plus three PMgt courses in the chosen area of focus—advocacy politics (PMgt 230 plus two from PMgt 231—248); electoral politics (PMgt 250 and 251 plus one from PMgt 228 and 252—260); and advanced political skills (any three from PMgt 211—229). All students complete a 400-hour internship of supervised political management activity. Those in the thesis program take PMgt 299—300; those in the nonthesis program take PMgt 295.
Master of Professional Studies in the field of legislative affairs—The 33-credit program requires PSc 201 or 203, 218, 222, and 229, plus at least two courses chosen from each of the following groups: American political process—PSc 215, 216, 219, 220, 221, 228, 246, 286; PMgt 267. Public policy analysis—PSc 212, 224, 249, 250; PMgt 266; WStu 240. The program may be completed with or without a thesis. With prior approval of the academic advisor, students may take up to three courses in related disciplines. All students must pass a Master’s Comprehensive Examination.
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| 201 |
Fundamentals of Political Management (3) |
Cushman, Johnson |
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Introduction to theory, practice, and development of political management. Political developments since 1945 and their impact on the development of political management as a field and profession. Public policy roles of political managers. Political strategy for the political manager. (Fall and spring) |
| 202 |
Research Methods for Political Managers (3) |
Wiley |
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Use of quantitative information in politics. Research design, statistical association and causal reasoning, types of variables, hypothesis testing and confidence, and introduction to regression analysis. How to be an informed user of quantitative data for political management and policymaking issues. (Fall and spring) |
| 203 |
Communications Elements (3) |
Cornfield and Staff |
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The basic political communications model, including communications strategy, political research (targeted audiences, polling, and candidate research), and message discipline. Internet usage, press releases, issue briefs, direct mail letters, fact sheets, talking points, congressional testimony, public addresses, and television and radio commercials. (Fall and spring) |
| 204 |
Communications Strategy (3) |
Cornfield and Staff |
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Formulation of political communications strategies. Elements necessary to create, introduce, and maintain an effective political profile in issue advocacy campaigns, candidate elections, and legislative advocacy campaigns. Application of principles of research, advertising, and marketing to the political landscape. Prerequisite: PMgt 203. (Spring and summer) |
| 205 |
Ethics for Political Managers (3) |
Fullinwider, Anderson, Darr |
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Professional responsibilities of political managers. Introduction to political leadership as ethics in action, starting with concrete situations and reasoning back to constitutional and philosophical principles. Laws and regulations that affect political activity (conflict of interest, disclosure, lobbying registration, campaign finance, fraud) (Fall, spring, and summer) |
| 206 |
Political Leadership (3) |
Schafer |
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Theory and practice of political leadership. Introduction to leadership theory. Application through self-assessment of leadership skills and potential. Communications practices for exercising political leadership. (Fall, spring, and Summer) |
| 211 |
Polling (3) |
Tringali |
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Survey research uses in campaigns. Major objectives of surveys, designing and drawing samples, constructing and pretesting questionnaires, modes of interviewing, financial implications, practical problems in selecting and monitoring polling organizations, and interpretation of survey data. (Summer) |
| 212 |
Qualitative Research (3) |
Tringali |
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Uses and usefulness of focus groups and small-sample interviews; procedures involved in these techniques; implications of psychological and sociological theory; relationship of qualitative and quantitative research. (Spring) |
| 214 |
Public Opinion Dynamics (3) |
Cantor |
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Processes by which citizens make decisions about political issues and consider the range of methods for influencing those decisions. Public opinion polling, voter behavior studies, communications, media studies, and attitudinal change. (Summer) |
| 215 |
Managing Online Campaigns (3) |
Staff |
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Building and managing a web campaign in electoral or advocacy arena; overseeing outreach in online communities. Topics include the technical (building a backend system, designing a budget, blogging, social networking) and the practical (working with web vendors, online fundraising, get-out-the-vote, issues management). Studio fee. (Spring) |
| 216 |
Speechwriting (3) |
McGroarty |
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Analysis and techniques of effective speechwriting and presentations for public officials and candidates; emphasis on speechwriting for campaigns and public policy forums. (Fall and summer) |
| 217 |
Political Management and Media (3) |
Greener, Arterton |
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Organization, practices, and norms of the major media; media coverage of public officials, political campaigns, legislative battles, interest groups, and issues of public policy. Formulation of strategies for getting favorable news coverage for the issue or candidate and for ending a media crisis. Studio fee. (Spring) |
| 218 |
Videography and Political Marketing (3) |
Staff |
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Political marketing and messaging online, including technical projects, such as online banner ads and web videos; practical projects, such as search-engine marketing plan and blogger outreach; and analytic projects, such as web metrics, cost-per-click, reach, and persuasion. Studio fee. (Fall) |
| 219 |
Microtargeting (3) |
Staff |
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Use of technology for microtargeting and analytics. The theory, mathematics, and behavioral science behind microtargeting. Data collection and analysis; database construction; practical sources and uses of data in mobilization, messaging, and fundraising; privacy and security. Studio fee. Prerequisite: PMgt 202. (Summer) |
| 220 |
Fundraising (3) |
Staff |
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The raising and spending of money in political campaigns, referenda contests, issue politics, and lobbying efforts. Budgeting, control of expenditures, accounting procedures, and general strategies for fundraising. (Summer) |
| 221 |
Fundraising for Organizations (3) |
Staff |
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Advanced business and techniques of fundraising for charitable, trade association, semiprivate, and public institutions. Topics include long-range financial stability for organizations, including membership strategies, new technology (Internet and mobile), direct mail, telemarketing, and special events. (Spring) |
| 222 |
Party Fundraising (3) |
Staff |
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Advanced analysis of how political parties raise money, with emphasis on new technology applications. Historical overview of political fundraising, campaign finance reform. Components of a political party fundraising plan and how to prepare a plan. (Fall) |
| 225 |
Leadership Theory (3) |
Schafer |
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Advanced study of leadership as applied to the political realm, compared to corporate and nonprofit sectors. Theories of leadership, with particular attention to balancing governing (policy) with electoral support (politics). (Spring) |
| 227 |
Women in Politics (3) |
Shafer, Grosfeld |
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Application of political management principles for women in the political arena. Topics include institutional and interpersonal opportunities and barriers for women, impact of politically active women on public policy; gender gap in voting behavior and public opinion; media portrayal of women candidates and public officials. (Fall) |
| 228 |
Law and the Political Process (3) |
Braden |
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Federal and state laws and regulations governing recognition of political parties and political organizations, campaign finance, political broadcasting and cablecasting, lobbying registration. Ballot access and voter registration. Ethics in public service. (Summer) |
| 229 |
Managing Political Organizations (3) |
Staff |
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How to manage a candidate, campaign, team, and other stakeholders. Philosophy and framework for organizational management in the political arena. (Fall and spring) |
| 230 |
Issues Management (3) |
Edwards |
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Management of public policy issues, rise of referenda and citizen initiatives, proliferation of issue-oriented campaigns directed at the grassroots. How individuals and interest groups participate in the issue advocacy process. The evolving role of political and campaign managers in issue campaigns. (Fall and spring) |
| 231 |
Lobbying (3) |
Hobson |
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How lobbying and organized advocacy fit into the American political process. Development and implementation of advocacy strategies. Lobbying by business, labor, public interest groups, and other nonprofit organizations. Lobbying within and among various branches of government. (Fall and spring) |
| 232 |
Lobbying the Budget Process (3) |
Edwards |
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Politics of the budget process, using case studies from recent federal budget cycles. Formal and informal mechanisms of budgeting; lobbying strategies employed by private and public organizations seeking to influence budgetary decision making; negotiations within and between executive agencies. Prerequisite: PMgt 231. (Summer) |
| 233 |
Grassroots Politics (3) |
Grefe |
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Use of microtargeting and database-layering technology to identify potential advocates. Motivational techniques to mobilize volunteers for political campaigns, lobbying efforts, and community advocacy. Techniques used by grassroots organizers to help corporations, unions, civic and nonprofit organizations, and special interest groups achieve strategic goals. (Spring) |
| 234 |
International Lobbying (3) |
Billet |
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Examination of the current state of international lobbying and analysis of strategic models. (Spring) |
| 235 |
Strategic Management of Issues (3) |
Grefe |
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Case studies of advocacy efforts in major current policy questions. Development of strategy and message, integrating research and technology for advocacy campaigns. |
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(Fall and summer) |
| 236 |
Corporate Public Affairs (3) |
Smith |
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Exploration of major functional areas in corporate public affairs, with focus on political and policy dynamics. (Fall) |
| 241 |
Crisis Management (3) |
Edwards |
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Management of crisis situations and defining moments in electoral, legislative, and public policy campaigns. Simulation exercises and recent case studies illustrate both theoretical and practical aspects of crisis management. (Fall) |
| 244—45 |
Lobbying the European Union I—II (3—3) |
Billet |
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PMgt 244: Intensive six-week program exploring the rules, tactics, and techniques of lobbying in the European Union. PMgt 245: Intensive two-week practicum applying lessons learned in PMgt 244; held at the College of Europe and EU headquarters in Belgium. (Summer) |
| 250 |
Campaign Strategy (3) |
Lebel, Faucheux |
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Orientation to the basic systems that must be managed to produce electoral victory. The campaign plan and campaign budget as the foundation for management of campaigns. Focus on development of a campaign plan. (Fall, spring, and summer) |
| 251 |
Campaign Organization and Execution (3) |
Lebel |
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Choices facing the campaign manager in staffing a campaign and executing the campaign plan: candidate assessment, fundraising, geographic and demographic targeting, field organization, canvassing, phone banks and get-out-the-vote, press operations, financial control, and relations with the party and interest groups. Prerequisite: PMgt 250. (Fall and spring) |
| 252 |
Campaign Advertising and Promotion (3) |
Fenn |
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Strategies and techniques for using the various media in political campaigns, with emphasis on the use of television. Impact and potential uses of various media; development of campaign messages; production, timing, and placement of television advertising. Students design print ads and brochures and produce a 30-second television spot. Studio fee. Prerequisite: PMgt 251. (Spring) |
| 253 |
Presidential Campaigns (3) |
Faucheux |
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Trends and innovations in presidential campaign strategy: use of new technology, campaign organization, fundraising, primaries and caucuses, delegation selection rules, party conventions, national and state party organizations, and the general election. (Summer) |
| 256 |
International Political Consulting (3) |
Johnson |
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How consultants help to professionalize elections and campaign techniques around the world. Techniques and practices for the international consulting business. (Spring) |
| 257 |
State Government and Politics (3) |
Staff |
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Intersection of legislating and campaigning at the state and local levels. Methods and techniques for advocacy in state capitals. (Spring) |
| 258 |
State and Local Campaigns (3) |
Staff |
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Application of campaign strategy and management principles to electoral races at the state/local levels. Particular attention to staffing, budgeting, and strategic challenges for state/local candidates. (Spring) |
| 260 |
Running for Office (3) |
Faucheux |
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Electoral politics from the perspective of the candidate, strategic and personal factors involved in the decision to run, consequences of victory or defeat. (Summer) |
| 265 |
Special Topics (3) |
Staff |
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Topic to be announced in the Schedule of Classes. |
| 266 |
Budgetary Policy (3) |
Staff |
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Analysis of U.S. monetary and fiscal policy. Off-campus only. (Spring) |
| 267 |
Budgetary Politics (3) |
Staff |
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Examination of federal budget policymaking and politics. Off-campus only. (Fall) |
| 268 |
PACs and Congress (3) |
Staff |
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Political action committees in the United States in the context of wider arenas of campaign finance, elections, and issue management. |
| 290 |
Independent Study (3 to 6) |
Staff |
| 295 |
Advanced Problems and Strategy (3) |
Arterton |
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Capstone seminar that integrates research skills and political techniques required to define political objectives and develop the appropriate strategies to accomplish such objectives. Students enroll in this course toward the end of their program. (Fall, spring, and summer) |
| 298 |
Graduate Internship in Political Management (0) |
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| 299—300 |
Thesis Research (3—3) |
Staff |
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Master’s degree candidates must apply to the program committee for thesis approval and have completed 24 credit hours with a 3.3 GPA. |
