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Professors C.H. Sterling, J.B. Manheim, S.V. Roberts, S. Hess (Research), R.M. Entman, L. Huebner (Director), F. Sesno, S.L. Livingston
Associate Professors J.E. Steele, L.S. Harvey, A.L. May III, L. Willnat, M. Feldstein, P.F. Phalen, S. Aday, R. Russell, K.A. Gross
Assistant Professors S. Keller, N. Seavey (Research), J.M. Shanahan, S. Waisbord Through the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Media and Public Affairs offers programs of study leading to the Bachelor of Arts with majors in journalism and mass communication and in political communication. Entering freshmen may be admitted to majors within SMPA through a competitive application process as specified in application materials distributed by the Office of Admissions. In addition, a limited number of students will be admitted through a competitive application process that begins after the student is accepted to the University. Students are encouraged to apply during the first semester of their sophomore year; applications are not accepted from students with fewer than 30 or more than 75 credit hours. Minimum requirements for admission include a minimum GPA of 3.0, though achievement of the minimum GPA does not guarantee admission. Once admitted to the University, students desiring to enter an SMPA major face a highly selective process. Contact SMPA for specific information and applications; program application requirements vary and in some cases include achieving specific grades in certain courses and completion of an essay. Programs are listed below with their course offerings. All students, both those admitted directly into SMPA and those applying after acceptance to GW, must achieve specified grades in some courses. Check with SMPA for particular grade requirements and course sequencing.
Bachelor of Arts with a major in journalism and mass communication—The following requirements must be fulfilled:
1. The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.
2. Required courses in related areas—AmSt 71–72 or Hist 71–72; PSc 2; Stat 53; one course chosen from Econ 11 or PSc 1, 3.
3. The SMPA core—SMPA 51, 101, 102, 110 (which requires a minimum grade of B to apply for or remain in the major), 112, and 199.
4. Required courses in the major—SMPA 111 and either 173 or 177; four courses chosen from SMPA 130–143, 145, 146, 179, and 197; four courses chosen from SMPA 120, 128, 144, 159–178, 195, and 196.
Bachelor of Arts with a major in political communication—The following requirements must be fulfilled:
1. The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.
2. Required courses in related areas—AmSt 71–72 or Hist 71–72; PSc 2 and either 1 or 3; Stat 53.
3. The SMPA core—SMPA 51, 101, 102 (which requires a minimum grade of C to remain in the major), 110, 112, and 199.
4. Required courses in the major—SMPA 120; two 100-level PSc courses; seven courses chosen from SMPA 141, 145, 150–173, 178, 194, 196, 197, and 198.
Five-Year Bachelor of Arts in an SMPA major and Master of Professional Studies in the field of political management—Interested students should consult their advisor and apply to the joint degree program during the second semester of their junior year. Special Honors in journalism and mass communication—Students with a 3.5 GPA in all courses completed at GW and in all courses required for the major may apply for Special Honors in journalism and mass communication. Students intending to apply must consult with their advisor at the start of the senior year. Application must be made by the mid-point of the student's final semester (October 15 or March 15) and must include a letter of application and a portfolio of published or broadcast work. The work will be evaluated by the journalism and mass communication faculty on the basis of professional standards as outlined by the department. Special Honors in political communication—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 in the first semester of the senior year and SMPA 198 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 Senior Seminar before a committee that includes the seminar instructor and two other faculty members nominated by the student and approved by the seminar instructor.
Minor in journalism and mass communication—Required: 18 credit hours, including SMPA 50, 110; 6 credits chosen from 130–146; and 6 credits from 169–179, 195, 197.
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| 50 |
Media in a Free Society (3) |
Aday and Staff |
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The role of mass communication in democratic political systems: informational requirements of democracy, sources of political information and the role of news media and other channels in creating and disseminating it; issues relating to propaganda and public information; and the interaction between information flows and democratic political culture. Not open to SMPA majors. |
| 51 |
Research Methods (3) |
Gross, Manheim, Willnat, and Staff |
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Processes of inquiry within mediated communication. The concepts of framing research questions, conducting literature reviews, developing a research design, and interpreting results of cultural and social science research within a societal framework. Prerequisite: Stat 53. |
| 101 |
Journalism and Mass Communication Steele and Staff Theory and Practice (3) |
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An overview of journalism and mass communication in the United States. Organizations and institutions of print and electronic news media; the social context of journalism; how news is constructed; and intellectual underpinnings of occupational ideals and professional practices that guide journalism. Open only to SMPA majors. |
| 102 |
Introduction to Political Communication (3) |
Entman, Gross, Livingston |
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Basic concepts and theories of political communication; development of a framework for analyzing political communication; applications in the United States, other countries, and the international system. Open only to SMPA majors. |
| 110 |
Introduction to News Writing and Reporting (3) |
Staff |
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Fundamentals of news reporting and writing, with emphasis on the print media. News judgment, information gathering skills, and crafting news and feature stories. Regular in-class and outside reporting and writing exercises. Directly admitted freshmen may enroll in their second semester; all other freshmen need departmental permission. Laboratory fee, $100. |
| 111 |
Advanced News Reporting (3) |
May |
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Reporting, writing, and computer skills for covering beats and developing in-depth news stories. Techniques in researching, observing, and interviewing to frame stories of public interest; outside and in-class reporting and writing assignments. Restricted to Journalism and Mass Communication majors or permission of instructor required. Prerequisite: SMPA 110. Laboratory fee, $100. |
| 112 |
Introduction to Digital Media Production (3) |
Staff |
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Basic introduction to digital media production, including web design and video shooting/editing, with emphasis on use in journalism and political communication. Laboratory fee, $75. |
| 120 |
Public Opinion (3) |
Gross |
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Key aspects of the literature on public opinion, with emphasis on the role of media in opinion formation and change. Topics include the meaning of public opinion in a democratic society, a review of methods used to measure opinions, and media effects on opinion. |
| 128 |
Media, Politics, and Government (3) |
Roberts |
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Exploration of the role played by communication, principally through the mass media, in the conduct of government and the making of public policy. Same as PSc 128. |
| 130 |
Computer-Assisted Reporting (3) |
Staff |
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Retrieving information from online sources and government databases, with emphasis on the ethical use and evaluation of data. Use of computer databases to analyze records and produce reliable and valid data for investigative news stories. Prerequisite: SMPA 110. Laboratory fee, $75. |
| 131 |
News Online (3) |
Staff |
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The examination and practice of journalism on the Internet with an emphasis on news writing and presentation, including web page design. News standards, approaches to online writing, ethics, and issues of access on the web. Production techniques. Prerequisite: SMPA 110. Laboratory fee, $75. |
| 132 |
Web Magazine Practicum (3) |
Staff |
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For SMPA majors in the senior year. Students report, write, and edit online GW student news magazine. Prerequisite: SMPA 110. Laboratory fee, $75. |
| 133 |
Photojournalism (3) |
Staff |
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Elements of effective news and feature photos, including study and evaluation of slides taken by students. Picture selection, cropping, captions. Student costs include film and developing. Laboratory fee, $75. |
| 134 |
Publication Design (3) |
Staff |
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Design, editing, layout, and photo selection for newspapers and magazines. Selecting and editing stories; writing headlines and photo captions; sizing and cropping graphic materials; laying out pages. Ethics of editing. Student costs include film and developing. |
| 135 |
Broadcast News Writing (3) |
Feldstein |
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Introduction to writing television news scripts based on actual events. Using workshop techniques, scripts are evaluated for content, structure, and use of words, pictures, and sound. Extensive writing and rewriting using streaming video from professional newscasts. Prerequisite: SMPA 110. |
| 136 |
Broadcast News Reporting (3) |
Russell |
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Advanced techniques in television news reporting and editing. Students produce, shoot, and edit news packages by teaming up to report in the field. Prerequisite: SMPA 110. |
| 137 |
Broadcast News Studio Production (3) |
Russell |
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Hands-on workshop designed to give simulated TV industry experience. Students work together to produce and direct a simulated broadcast news program. Recommended prerequisite: SMPA 135, 136. Laboratory fee, $75. |
| 138 |
Television Magazine (3) |
Staff |
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Advanced techniques in writing, reporting, producing, and editing television news magazine packages. Prerequisite: SMPA 136. Laboratory fee, $75. |
| 139 |
Television News Practicum (3) |
Staff |
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For SMPA majors in the senior year. Students report, produce, direct, and edit GW student news broadcast. Prerequisite: SMPA 137. Laboratory fee, $75. |
| 140 |
Washington Reporting (3) |
May |
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Examination of reporting and writing techniques employed in news coverage of the national government, with an emphasis on serving a regional readership or audience. Using Washington as a laboratory, students focus on contemporary issues and news makers in the legislative and executive branches of government. Prerequisite: SMPA 110. |
| 141 |
Campaign Reporting (3) |
May |
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Development of news gathering and writing skills needed for the coverage of political campaigns. Using in-class exercises and outside assignments, students acquire reporting and writing proficiency to illuminate how campaigns work and how politics affects the lives of citizens. Prerequisite: SMPA 110. |
| 142 |
Investigative Reporting (3) |
Staff |
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Hands-on intensive training in reporting and writing in-depth enterprise news stories that expose hidden problems or wrong-doing. Prerequisite: SMPA 110. |
| 143 |
Feature Writing (3) |
Roberts |
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Development and writing of a wide range of feature articles, including interviews, profiles, op-ed columns, and personal memoirs. Weekly writing assignments and practical experience, including marketing work to publications. Prerequisite: SMPA 110. |
| 144 |
Narrative Journalism (3) |
Steele |
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The narrative or story-telling tradition in journalism. Students experiment with narrative techniques in a series of written exercises and a final project. Enrollment limited to 15 students with preference given to upper-class SMPA majors and graduate students. Prerequisite: SMPA 110. |
| 145 |
Editorial and Persuasive Writing (3) |
Keller |
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Techniques of editorial and column writing; editorial page and public affairs programming; function of commentary in a free press. Prerequisite: SMPA 110. |
| 146 |
Specialized Reporting (3) |
Staff |
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Advanced reporting in specialized fields, such as business, science, medicine. Topics and instructors vary each semester. Prerequisite: SMPA 110. |
| 150 |
Public Diplomacy (3) |
Staff |
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The theory and practice of public diplomacy: informing, influencing, and establishing dialogue with international publics and institutions. A conceptual and historical examination of public diplomacy, current practices, and contemporary issues, including international information dissemination, educational and cultural exchange, and international broadcasting. |
| 151 |
Public Affairs and Government Information (3) |
Staff |
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Aspects of information and public affairs functions of government agencies at all levels. Role of the information specialist. Writing and editing for government publications. |
| 152 |
Principles of Public Relations (3) |
Staff |
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Principles, problems, ethics, and law of public relations for government, private concerns, educational and other public institutions. |
| 153 |
Strategic Political Communication (3) |
Manheim |
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Origins of strategic approaches to political communication; techniques. Use of strategic communication by individuals, groups, organizations, and governments in both domestic politics and policymaking and in the international system. Prerequisite: SMPA 102 or permission of instructor. |
| 154 |
Political Campaign Communication (3) |
Staff |
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Communication aspects of political campaigns for candidates and ballot issues. Examination of techniques and channels of communication, role of communication in campaign strategy, ethics and implications of campaign decision making. |
| 155 |
Campaign Advertising (3) |
Keller |
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Introduction to the theory and practice of campaign advertising. Emphasis on televised political campaign spots, but a range of campaign advertising media are included: radio, direct mail, and the Internet. |
| 156 |
Political Debate (3) |
Keller |
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Theory and practice of political debate. The campaign context, candidate strategies, debate issues, and debates and voter behavior. Participation in classroom debates. |
| 157 |
Political Speech Writing (3) |
Keller |
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Theory and practice of public speaking in the context of mediated political communication. Students analyze, write, and give speeches. |
| 158 |
Strategic Practicum (3) |
Manheim |
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Working in small groups, students research and develop full-scale plans for hypothetical, reality-based, strategic communication campaigns that test and apply theoretical advances in the field. Prerequisite: SMPA 153. |
| 159 |
Language and Politics (3) |
Staff |
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Connections between language and the political world. Theory and practice of language in politics and the impact on the creation and consumption of politics. |
| 160 |
Race, Media, and Politics (3) |
Gross, Entman |
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Examination of the place of race in American society and politics, with attention to the role of media reporting in helping to shape understanding of race and racial matters, public opinion about race, and race and electoral politics. |
| 161 |
Campaigns and Elections (3) |
Gross, Aday |
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The role of the news media in campaigns and elections. Offered in even-numbered years. |
| 162 |
Information, Media, and National Security (3) |
Staff |
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The influence of information technologies and global trends on statecraft and military conflict; the increasing power of media (including the Internet) and non-state actors in global affairs; and how policymakers, diplomats, and military leaders shape communication strategies and adapt to the public dimension of national security in the post-9/11 world. |
| 169 |
International Communication (3) |
Willnat |
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Major international news-gathering and broadcasting organizations, international communications policy forums, organizations and treaties, spectrum allocation criteria, communications technology, and trade in communication. |
| 170 |
Comparative Media Systems (3) |
Willnat, Waisbord |
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In-depth study of the developmental, regulatory, political, economic, and cultural dimensions of selected foreign communication systems. |
| 171 |
Media in the Developing World (3) |
Steele |
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Contemporary views of media roles in developing nations. The role of the press and electronic media in economic, social, and national development, including media as agents of modernization, development journalism, and post-colonial responses to Western "cultural imperialism." Media and Islam; role of the Internet; and theories of media and globalization. |
| 172 |
Media and Foreign Policy (3) |
Livingston |
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The emerging role of news media in international affairs and diplomacy, particularly as it relates to U.S. foreign policy. Globalization of news media advances in instantaneous communications technologies; consequences for international diplomacy. |
| 173 |
Media Law (3) |
Sterling and Staff |
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Freedom of the press, censorship, legislative controls, copyright, laws of libel and privacy, and laws relating to the news business, privilege, and fair comment. |
| 174 |
Electronic Media Policy (3) |
Sterling |
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Legal, technical, political, economic, and social aspects of radio, television, and cable and related delivery systems. Structure and operation of the FCC and other agencies; the role of Congress and the courts. Spectrum allocation, behavioral regulation, the trend to deregulate political influence, and current policy issues. |
| 175 |
Media Management (3) |
Staff |
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Decision making, strategic planning, and daily operations of all types of media organizations. Sales strategies, promotion, and research. |
| 176 |
Changing Media Technology (3) |
Harvey |
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Examination of current and likely future trends in electronic media, with emerging emphasis on radio, television, and cable, including developments in technology, programming, and public policy and their cultural implications. |
| 177 |
Media History (3) |
Feldstein, Steele, Sterling |
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American media from colonial times to the present, set against a backdrop of ongoing political, social, and economic developments. The development of press, radio, television, cable, satellite, and the Internet; government regulation and media relations; journalistic rights and responsibilities. |
| 178 |
Media Effects (3) |
Phalen |
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The impact of broadcasting and related media on audiences; social science research findings and methods, including persuasion, formation of opinion, media and personal interaction, the depiction of violence, audience characteristics and media use patterns, and development of related theories and models of mass communication. |
| 179 |
Documentary (3) |
Staff |
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Advanced techniques in writing, reporting, producing, and editing long-form television documentaries, including analysis of the techniques of propaganda and rhetoric used in film and television to visualize political ideology. Laboratory fee, $75. Prerequisite: SMPA 136. |
| 194 |
Selected Topics in Political Communication (3 or 4) |
Staf |
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Topic announced in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated if the topic differs, but may only count once toward the political communication major. |
| 195 |
Selected Topics in Journalism and Mass Communication (3 or 4) |
Staf |
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Topic announced in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated for credit if the topic differs. |
| 196 |
Independent Study |
Staff |
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Students pursue a program of directed reading, research, and writing under the direction of a faculty advisor. Limited to seniors. |
| 197 |
Internship |
Staff |
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Students spend at least five hours per week per credit with an approved news organization, agency, or office under the general guidance of a faculty advisor. Guidelines are available in the SMPA office and online. May be taken P/NP only. Restricted to SMPA majors and minors in the junior and senior year. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. |
| 198 |
Special Honors Research Seminar (3) |
Staff |
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Open only to special honors candidates in political communication in the senior year. Prerequisite: SMPA 199 and departmental approval. |
| 199 |
Senior Seminar (3) |
Staff |
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Capstone course limited to SMPA majors. |
