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: agenda-setting and changes in the media environment; information technology and institutional change in governmental institutions; the Internet and exposure to political difference; news framing effects; and public goods production online. 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.

Congratulations to two recent grads: Dr. Jessica Timpany Feezell, whose dissertation examined the effects of political music on public opinion, and Dr. Jennifer Brundidge (Dept. of Communication), whose dissertation examined new media, political discussion, and polarization of public opinion. 

2008-2009 Graduate Courses
PS  251:  Political Representation, Prof. Lorelei Moosbrugger, Fall 2008
Soc 294: The Internet and Social Movements, Prof. Jennifer Earl, Win 2009
PS 594: Political Communication, Prof. Bruce Bimber, Spring 2009
Comm 213: Mass Media Effects, Prof. Miriam Metzger, Spring 2009

Upcoming Event
Rupe Conference: The Role of Media in the Presidential Campaign and Election
A discussion of the role of the media in the Presidential campaign and election, featuring Lance Bennett of the University of Washington, Rod Hart of the University of Texa, Dana Mastro of the University of Arizona, Travis Dixon of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne, and CBS senior political correspondent Geff Greenfield. Co-sponsored by the Arthur N. Rupe Professorship in the Social effects of Mass Media and the Carsey-Wolf Center for Film, Television, and New Media.
March 5, 2009

Students of political communication may be interested in UCSB's PhD Emphasis in Technology and Society.