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The political communication focus in the department examines media and political behavior, with particular expertise in technology and “new” media, and their influence on collective action, civic engagement, and political campaigns. Within the political science department, political communication is a Research Focus, which means that students may prepare a written field in this area.
Political Science Faculty
Bruce Bimber: Political behavior, organizations, Internet and politics
Laurie Freeman: Media, comparative politics
M. Kent Jennings: Political psychology, public opinion
Lorelei Moosbrugger: European politics; environment; policy, institutions, and communication
Eric Smith: Public opinion, persuasive communication
Collaborating & Affiliated Faculty
Jennifer Earl (Dept. of Sociology): political sociology, social movements, Internet and political activism
Michael Stohl (Dept. of Communication, Affiliated Faculty): political communication and terrorism, human rights and global relations.
Miriam Metzger (Dept. of Communication): social uses and effects of communication, media effects, Internet and society
Graduate Students
Currently about nine graduate students study political communication at UCSB, through the departments of political science and communication, and the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management. Student projects cover such topics as: effects of political music on public opinion; information technology and institutional change in governmental institutions; the Internet and exposure to political difference; news framing; and public collaboration toward geospatial information goods. Graduate students interested in preparing a field paper in political communication may do so by petition. Pre-approval from the student's faculty advisor and graduate advisor is required for any four courses to be counted as a qualifying field. Suggested courses include the following:
PS 594 - Special Topics: Political Communication (next offered Spring 09)
PS 251 - Political Representation (next offered Fall 08)
PS 252 - Public Opinion and Participation
PS 596 / Comm 593 - Information Technology and Politics
Comm 213 - Mass Media Effects (next offered Winter 09)
Comm 232 - Media Law and Policy
Soc 294 - Special Topics: The Internet and Social Movements (next offered Winter 09) Students of political communication may also be interested in UCSB's PhD Emphasis in Technology and Society.
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