|
Below is a complete list of course descriptions in the Political Management program:
Fundamentals of Political Management
Introduction to theory, practice and development of political management. Political developments 1945-present, and impact on development of political management as a field and profession. Public policy roles of political managers. Political strategy for the political manager. (3 credits)
Research Methods for Political Managers
Use of quantitative information in politics. Topics include research design, statistical association and causal reasoning, types of variables, hypothesis testing and confidence, and introduction to regression analysis. How to be informed user of quantitative data for political management and policymaking questions. (3 credits)
Communications Elements
Basic political communications model, including such topics as communications strategy, political research (targeted audiences, polling and candidate research) and message discipline. Elements of communications relevant to politics: Internet usage (websites, social networking, and mobile technologies), plus press releases, issue briefs, direct mail letters, fact sheets, talking points, Congressional testimony, public addresses and television and radio commercials. Connection between strategic focus and each communications effort. (3 credits)
Communications Strategy
Formulation of political communications strategies as foundation from which to design and develop political advocacy communications. Strategic elements necessary to create, introduce and maintain an effective political profile in issue advocacy campaigns, candidate elections, and legislative advocacy campaigns. Application of important principles in research, advertising and marketing to the political landscape. Prerequisite PMGT 203. (3 credits)
Ethics for Political Managers
Professional responsibilities of political managers. Laws and regulations that determine political activity (conflict of interest, disclosure, lobbying registration, campaign finance, fraud, etc.) and political philosophy, the central ideas, principles, and purposes of democracy. Introduction to political leadership as ethics in action, bringing together theory and practical application, starting with concrete situations and reasoning back to Constitutional and philosophical principles. (3 credits)
Political Leadership
Theory and practice of leadership in the political arena. Develop self-assessment of leadership skills and potential. Communications practices for exercising political leadership. (3 credits)
Fundraising
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. (3 credits)
Campaign Strategy
Orientation to the basic systems that must be managed to produce electoral victory. Importance of the campaign plan and campaign budget as foundation for management of campaigns. Focus on development of campaign plan. (3 credits)
Campaign Organization and Execution
Choices facing the campaign manager in staffing a campaign and executing the campaign plan: candidate assessment, fundraising, geographic and demographic targeting, field organization, canvassing, phonebanks and get-out-the-vote, press operations, financial control, and relations with the party and interest groups. (3 credits)
State and Local Campaigns
Challenges of seeking public office or managing a political campaign. Based on a specific local office which they would like to run for and then design a detailed campaign plan. Develop the strategic sense of campaigning for office and leadership skills necessary for dealing with the many roadblocks in a campaign. (3 credits)
Issues Management (and Crisis Communications)
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 and the evolving role of political and campaign managers in issue campaigns. (3 credits)
Grassroots
Use of micro-targeting and database layering technology to identify potential advocates plus a study of 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. (3 credits)
State Government and Politics
Intersection of legislating and campaigning at the state and local levels. Methods and techniques for advocacy in state capitals. (3 credits)
Independent Study
Students must fill out an Independent Study Approval form prior to registration. Students are required to submit three Independent Study projects (one credit each) throughout the duration of the course curriculum. (3 credits)
Advanced Problems and Strategy
Capstone seminar that integrates research skills and political techniques required to define political objectives and develop the appropriate strategies to accomplish such objectives. Students must have completed 24 credit hours to enroll in this course. (3 credits)
^ Back to Top
|
|
|
