The combined major in political science and communication studies offers students the opportunity to integrate the study of politics and government with different forms and mediums of communication. Students complete the core courses in political science along with core courses in communication studies that cover public speaking and persuasion. This combined major highlights the important role played by different forms of communication in shaping politics and government.
Complete all courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Also complete any corequisite labs, recitations, clinicals, or tools courses where specified and complete any additional courses needed beyond specific college and major requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements.
Universitywide Requirements
All undergraduate students are required to complete the Universitywide Requirements.
BA Language Requirements
All BA students are required to complete the BA degree language requirements, for a total of 12 semester hours of language study or demonstrated equivalent proficiency, as described in Additional Requirements for BA students. Successful demonstration of proficiency does not reduce total minimum semester hours of study required to earn the BA degree.
NUpath Requirements
All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.
Political Science Requirements
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| POLS 1150 | American Government | 4 |
| POLS 1155 | Comparative Politics | 4 |
| POLS 1160 | International Relations | 4 |
| POLS 2400 | Quantitative Techniques | 4 |
| 4 |
| Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought | |
| Modern Political Thought | |
| American Political Thought | |
| Contemporary Political Thought | |
| POLS 2399 | Research Methods in Political Science | 4 |
| 16 |
| |
Political Science Concentration (Optional)
If you are working toward one of the following concentrations, declare it with your advisor so that it may be added to your record. Requirements for the concentrations are listed below.
Communication Studies Requirements
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| COMM 1101 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 4 |
| COMM 1112 | Public Speaking | 4 |
| or COMM 2301 | Communication Research Methods |
| 4 |
| Persuasion and Rhetoric | |
| Communication Theory | |
| Principles of Organizational Communication | |
| Communication in a Digital Age | |
| 4 |
| Sex, Relationships, and Communication | |
| Global and Intercultural Communication | |
| Communication and Gender | |
| Communication Law | |
| Free Speech in Cyberspace | |
| 8 |
| Mobile Communication | |
| Health Communication | |
| Interpersonal Communication | |
| Communication and Inclusion | |
| Political Communication | |
| Communication Criticism | |
| Environmental Issues, Communication, and the Media | |
| Free Speech: Law and Practice | |
| Communication and Sexualities | |
| Theories of Conflict and Negotiation | |
| Nonverbal Social Interaction | |
| Youth and Communication Technology | |
| Crisis Communication and Image Management | |
| 12 |
| |
| Visual Storytelling in Journalism | |
| Introduction to Film Production | |
| |
| Public Relations Principles | |
| Public Relations Practice | |
Integrative Requirement Courses
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| COMM 3320 | Political Communication (does not double-count toward COMM Writing Intensive Courses requirement) | 4 |
| or POLS 3320 | Politics and Mass Media |
Capstone Experience Course
Supporting Courses
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| COMM 1000 | Communication Studies at Northeastern | 1 |
| or POLS 1000 | Political Science at Northeastern |
| EEAM 2000 | Professional Development for Co-op | 1 |
| or EESH 2000 | Professional Development for Co-op |
| ENGW 1111 | First-Year Writing | 4 |
| or ENGW 1102 | First-Year Writing for Multilingual Writers |
| or ENGW 1114 | First-Year Writing with Service-Learning |
| COMM 3409 | Advocacy Writing | 4 |
| or ENGW 3308 | Advanced Writing in the Social Sciences |
| or ENGW 3314 | Advanced Writing in the Arts, Media, and Design |
| or ENGW 3315 | Interdisciplinary Advanced Writing in the Disciplines |
| Total Hours | 10 |
Communication Studies Major Grade Requirement
No more than two grades below a “C” in Communication Studies courses may be used to satisfy degree requirements.
Program Requirement
128 total semester hours required
Concentrations
Concentration in American Political Institutions
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 16 |
| Campaign Strategy | |
| The U.S. Congress | |
| Judicial Process and Behavior | |
| Public Policy and Administration | |
| Public Opinion, Voting, and Elections | |
Concentration in Campaigns and Elections
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| POLS 3160 | Campaign Strategy | 4 |
| POLS 3302 | Judicial Process and Behavior | 4 |
| 8 |
| Urban Policies and Politics | |
| Public Opinion, Voting, and Elections | |
| Politics and Mass Media | |
Concentration in Comparative Politics
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 8 |
| The Holocaust and Comparative Genocide | |
| Democratic Erosion | |
| Immigration Politics | |
| Religion and Politics | |
| Nationalism | |
| Politics of Developing Nations | |
| 4 |
| Politics and Governance of Europe and the European Union | |
| Government and Politics in the Middle East | |
| 4 |
| Model Arab League | |
| Model NATO | |
| Dialogue of Civilizations: Government and Politics Abroad | |
Concentration in Identity, Culture, and Politics
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| POLS 3418 | Nationalism | 4 |
| 12 |
| Immigration Politics | |
| Music and Politics in America and Abroad | |
| Religion and Politics | |
| Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Public Policy | |
| Law and Society | |
Concentration in International Relations and Diplomacy
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 4 |
| Model United Nations | |
| Model Arab League | |
| Dialogue of Civilizations: International Politics Abroad | |
| 12 |
| International Political Economy | |
| International Law | |
| Politics and Governance of Europe and the European Union | |
| International Security | |
Concentration in Law and Legal Studies
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 16 |
| American Political Thought | |
| The U.S. Congress | |
| Judicial Process and Behavior | |
| Law and Society | |
| International Law | |
| U.S. Constitutional Law | |
| U.S. Civil Liberties | |
Concentration in Public Policy
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| POLS 3307 | Public Policy and Administration | 4 |
| 12 |
| Urban Policies and Politics | |
| Science, Technology, and Public Policy | |
| Environmental Politics and Policy | |
| U.S. Foreign Policy | |
Concentration in Security Studies
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 16 |
| U.S. National Security Policy | |
| Terrorism and Counterterrorism | |
| U.S. Foreign Policy | |
| Politics of Developing Nations | |
| International Security | |
