The Politics and Media program provides civically active students with a strong background in theoretical frameworks, critical analysis skills, and skills in communication necessary to have a meaningful positive impact on society.
The Politics and Media program provides civically active students with a strong background in theoretical frameworks, critical analysis skills, and skills in communication necessary to have a meaningful positive impact on society.
Students will develop a strong foundation in the history, theoretical background, laws, and ethics of politics and media, and will use this knowledge to appropriately evaluate what material should be included in their work.
This program will focus on understanding the role of power, identity, media, and institutions in society and provide students with the tools to use research and methodological techniques to formulate an analysis of issues that arise in local governments, police, courts, schools, State and Federal legislatures, civic institutions, and public organizations, so that they may have a substantive impact on issues important to them.
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Major GPA | 2.0 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 114 |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Optional |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A | Recommended |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
Purpose Statement
The Bachelor of Science Politics and Media program provides civically active students with knowledge in social theoretical frameworks and skills in critical analysis and communications necessary to have a meaningful positive impact on society. This degree encompasses knowledge related to research methodology, political polling, data processing and analytical skills. Legacy models of media consumption and production are rapidly transitioning from traditional news outlets to online delivery applications that require greater technological flexibility.
Students will gain foundational knowledge in the role of power and identity in society, and American institutions, while providing students with the communications skills necessary to identify social phenomenon and communicate their research to society an approachable way and effective way. To do so, students will learn persuasive arguments, public relations, methodological techniques in the management and visualization of data, and strategic communication.
As a degree drawing on the expertise of both the Department of Politics and International Affairs and the School of Communication, the faculty are dedicated to innovative teaching and research who engage students in and out of the classroom. Our students are required to participate in independent research projects with faculty, study abroad programs, internships, and student clubs and learning communities, through our Experience of Difference requirement, taking students out of the classroom and into the diverse experiences the world has to offer. As a degree aimed at providing students with the skills to have a civic impact on society, our students will be critically informed, value diversity and equality, and use their knowledge of Politics and Media to pursue careers that promote these ideals.
Student Learning Outcomes
This major requires 57 units distributed as follows:
Political Science Coursework (18 units)
Communication Coursework (21 units)
Experience of Difference Requirement (3 units)
As part of their degree program, students are required to complete 3 units of an experience of difference. This requirement can be met in the following ways:
You must obtain prior written approval from a POS faculty member if you take POS 408, or POS 485. You may only use experience of difference coursework with a course prefix other than POS in exceptional circumstances, with your advisor's prior approval. If you take more than 3 units of experience of difference coursework, they will count in general elective credit.
Electives - Additional electives chosen in consultation with your advisor (15 units)
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.