Undergraduate Career Path: Communication and Public Advocacy
Students concentrating their studies in Communication and Public Advocacy focus on the integration of political and legal communication theory and practice. Coursework emphasizes the role of communication in argument, debate, and politics, including the ethical and rhetorical implications of constitutional guarantees and persuasive strategies characteristic of contemporary political communication. Learning about communication and public advocacy is inspired by questions including:
- How does one advocate as, or on behalf of, public servants?
- How does one advocate for changes in the social, political, and/or cultural structures of society?
- How does one advocate on behalf of environmental causes?
- How does one advocate as a participant in the political process?
Recent graduates are attending nationally-ranked law schools, working as state legislative staff, lobbying in Washington, D.C., and managing political campaigns.
Career Pathways:
Pre-Law (Legal Advocacy)
You might consider a career in Legal Advocacy if you find these questions compelling:
- What roles does communication play in negotiating legal issues (e.g., in pre-trial conferences)?
- What skills must advocates possess to communicate effectively in legal settings (e.g., oral arguments in courtrooms, written arguments in legal briefs)?
- What laws influence our public communication?
Suggested Tier I Quantitative Course
- PHIL 1200
Suggested COMS Core Course
- COMS 2150
COMS Curriculum (Suggested COMS Theory and Elective Courses)
Courses listed are only suggestions. Students should consult the COMS Major Checklist for an exhaustive overview of major requirements and to identify requisite requirements.
- 2020 Persuasion
- 2040 Interviewing
- 3060 Interpersonal Conflict Management
- 3600 Introduction to Communication & Public Advocacy
- 3601 Courtroom Rhetoric
- 3610 Advanced Argumentation & Debate
- 4030 Advanced Presentations
- 4604 Responsibilities & Freedom of Speech
Related Area/Certificates/Minors
Courses, Minors, and Certificates listed are only suggestions. Students should consult the Ohio University Undergraduate Catalog to identify requisite requirements for courses and to identify requirements and application processes for Minors and Certificates.
Suggested Foundational Courses:
- POLS 1010 Politics in the United States OR POLS 1600 – Engaging Politics
- POLS 2200 The Politics of Law
- POLS 4010 American Constitutional Law
Possible Specialization Courses:
- POLS 4040 Civil Liberties
- POLS 4770 Legal Theory and Social Problems
- GEOG 3460 Environmental Law
- BUSL 2000 Law and Society
- AAS 1900 Difficult Dialogues: Race, Law, and Religion in America
- AAS 3691 U.S. Constitutional Law: Pre-Civil Rights Movements
- ECON 3160 Economics and the Law
- HLTH 4445 Health Care Law and Ethics
- MDIA 2100 Entertainment Media Law and Finance
- SW 3243 Social Welfare Law
Certificate in Law, Justice, & Culture
Political Science Minor
Social & Cultural Advocacy
You might consider a career in Social and Cultural Advocacy if you find these questions compelling:
- What social and cultural biases and expectations constrain our ability to understand one another?
- What skills must advocates possess to advocate on behalf of and/or for those whose opportunities are limited because of these biases and expectations?
- What avenues are available for such advocacy (e.g., nonprofit advocacy groups, social movements)?
Suggested Tier I Quantitative Course
- PHIL 1200
Suggested COMS Core Course
- COMS 2150
COMS Curriculum (Suggested COMS Theory and Elective Courses)
Courses listed are only suggestions. Students should consult the COMS Major Checklist for an exhaustive overview of major requirements and to identify requisite requirements.
- 2020 Persuasion
- 3060 Interpersonal Conflict Management
- 3500 Introduction to Organizational Communication
- 3600 Introduction to Communication & Public Advocacy
- 3602 Political Rhetoric
- 3603 Contemporary Culture & Rhetoric
- 3610 Advanced Argumentation & Debate
- 4030 Advanced Presentations
- 4110 Communicating with People with Disabilities
- 4530 Communication & the Campaign
Related Area/Certificates/Minors
Courses, Minors, and Certificates listed are only suggestions. Students should consult the Ohio University Undergraduate Catalog to identify requisite requirements for courses and to identify requirements and application processes for Minors and Certificates.
Suggested Foundational Courses:
- POLS 1010 – Politics in the United States
- AND/OR (depending upon interest in specialization courses)
- POLS 1600 – Engaging Politics
- WGS 1000 – Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies
- GEOG 3270 – Social Geographies
Possible Specialization Courses:
- POLS 3060 – Politics of Appalachia
- POLS 4067 – Women and Politics
- POLS 4705 – The Politics of Rights
- POLS 4739 – Politics of Race
- POLS 4770 – Legal Theory and Social Problems
- POLS 4780 – Feminist Political Theories and Movements
- POLS 4190 – Gay and Lesbian Politics
- POLS 4210 – The Politics of Law and Sexuality
- POLS 4710 – Contemporary Radical and Critical Theories
- POLS 4720 – Resistance, Reform, and Revolution
- POLS 4753 – American Whiteness
- POLS 4754 – Black Political Thought
- POLS 4755 – Latinos and Politics
- POLS 4756 – The Politics of Visibility
- GEOG 3400 – Geography of Development
- GEOG 3410 – Geography of Hunger and Food Security
- GEOG 4450 – Gender, Environment, and Development
- AAS 1900 – Difficult Dialogues: Race, Law, and Religion in America
- LPA 4590 – Measuring Outcomes in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
- LPA 4680 – Nonprofit Fundraising
- LPA 4710 – Social Entrepreneurship
- LPA 4810 – Public Private Partnerships
- LPA 4890 – Nonprofit Management
- ENG 3980—Critical Theory for Multi-Ethnic/Cross-Cultural Studies
- Women’s Studies Certificate
- Global Leadership Certificate
- Political Communication Certificate
- Diversity Studies Certificate
- War and Peace Studies Certificate
- Asian Studies Certificate
- Latin American Studies Certificate
- African Studies Certificate
- East Asian Studies Certificate
- Southeast Asia Studies Certificate
- Social Work Minor
- Afro-American Studies Minor
Environmental Advocacy
You might consider a career in Environmental Advocacy if you find these questions compelling:
- What roles does communication play in generating awareness, commitment, and action about the environment?
- What challenges must be met to generate awareness, commitment, and action about the environment?
- What skills must advocates possess to communicate effectively about environmental issues?
Suggested Tier I Quantitative Course
- PHIL 1200
Suggested COMS Core Course
- COMS 2150
COMS Curriculum (Suggested COMS Theory and Elective Courses)
Courses listed are only suggestions. Students should consult the COMS Major Checklist for an exhaustive overview of major requirements and to identify requisite requirements.
- 2020 Persuasion
- 3060 Interpersonal Conflict Management
- 3600 Introduction to Communication & Public Advocacy
- 3602 Political Rhetoric
- 3603 Contemporary Culture & Rhetoric
- 3610 Advanced Argumentation & Debate
- 4030 Advanced Presentations
- 4530 Communication & the Campaign
Related Area/Certificates/Minors
Courses, Minors, and Certificates listed are only suggestions. Students should consult the Ohio University Undergraduate Catalog to identify requisite requirements for courses and to identify requirements and application processes for Minors and Certificates.
Suggested Foundational Courses:
- GEOG 1400 – Environmental Geography
- GEOG 3430 – Global Issues in Environment
- POLS 4250 – Environmental and Natural Resources Politics and Policy
- POLS 4260 – Politics of the Contemporary Environmental Movement
- Possible Specialization Courses
- POLS 4880 – Environmental and Public Policy Dispute Resolution
- GEOG 3460 – Environmental Law
- GEOG 4450 – Gender, Environment, and Development
- GEOG 4470 – Natural Resource Conservation
- GEOG 2680 – Introduction to GIS and Mapping Sciences
- LPA 4710 – Social Entrepreneurship
- LPA 4810 – Public Private Partnerships
- LPA 4890 – Nonprofit Management
- LPA 4590 – Measuring Outcomes in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
- LPA 4680 – Nonprofit Fundraising
- ENG 3300—Ecological Discourses in English Studies
- ENG 3100J—Writing About Environmental Sustainability
- Certificate in Environmental Studies
- Political Communication Certificate
- Geological Sciences Minor
- Political Science Minor
- Environmental Health Studies Minor
Government
You might consider a career in Government if you find these questions compelling:
- What roles does communication play in the operation of government?
- In what ways can communication be used to enhance relationships between government entities and those they serve (e.g., constituent services, lobbying)?
- What skills must governmental advocates possess to communicate effectively to and for constituents?
Suggested Tier I Quantitative Course
- PHIL 1200
Suggested COMS Core Course
- COMS 2150
COMS Curriculum (Suggested COMS Theory and Elective Courses)
Courses listed are only suggestions. Students should consult the COMS Major Checklist for an exhaustive overview of major requirements and to identify requisite requirements.
- 2020 Persuasion
- 2040 Interviewing
- 3060 Interpersonal Conflict Management
- 3500 Introduction to Organizational Communication
- 3600 Introduction to Communication & Public Advocacy
- 3602 Political Rhetoric
- 3603 Contemporary Culture & Rhetoric
- 3610 Advanced Argumentation & Debate
- 4604 Responsibilities & Freedom of Speech
Related Area/Certificates/Minors
Courses, Minors, and Certificates listed are only suggestions. Students should consult the Ohio University Undergraduate Catalog to identify requisite requirements for courses and to identify requirements and application processes for Minors and Certificates.
Suggested Foundational Courses:
- POLS 1010 – Politics in the United States
- POLS 1600 – Engaging Politics
- POLS 2000 – American Politics, Policy, and Administration
- Possible Specialization Courses
- POLS 4015 – Constitutional Politics
- POLS 4065 – American Political Behavior
- POLS 4100 – Public Policy Analysis
- POLS 4145 – Policy Implementation and Evaluation
- POLS 4160 – Legislative Processes
- POLS 4180 – Interest Groups in American Politics
- POLS 4230 – Political Leadership
- POLS 4240 – American Federalism and Public Policy
- POLS 4065 – American Political Behavior
- ECON 1040 – Principles of Macroeconomics
- ECON 4250 – Government and Economic Policy
- ECON 4300 – Public Finance
- GEOG 3250 – Political Geography
- GEOG 3500 – Land Use Planning
- GEOG 3400 – Geography of Development
- LPA 4120 – Public Personnel Administration
- LPA 4590 – Measuring Outcomes in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
- LPA 4840 – Management Skills for Public Administration
- LPA 4850 – Policy Analysis for Public Affairs and Leadership
- LPA 4860 – Public Budgeting
- LPA 4870 – Financial Management in Government
- Certificate in Political Communication
- Global Leadership Certificate
- Political Science Minor
- Economics Minor
- Political Communication Certificate
Politics & Campaigns
You might consider a career in Politics & Campaigns if you find these questions compelling:
- What roles does communication play in the process of campaigning for public issues and/or as a person seeking public office?
- What skills must advocates possess to communicate campaign messages clearly and effectively (e.g., speech writing, campaign promotions)?
- What ethical obligations does a communicator possess as they campaign?
Suggested Tier I Quantitative Course
- PHIL 1200
Suggested COMS Core Course
- COMS 2150
COMS Curriculum (Suggested COMS Theory and Elective Courses)
Courses listed are only suggestions. Students should consult the COMS Major Checklist for an exhaustive overview of major requirements and to identify requisite requirements.
- 2020 Persuasion
- 2400 Information Diffusion
- 3602 Political Rhetoric
- 3600 Introduction to Communication & Public Advocacy
- 3603 Contemporary Culture & Rhetoric
- 3610 Advanced Argumentation & Debate
- 4030 Advanced Presentations
- 4530 Communication & the Campaign
- 4604 Responsibilities & Freedom of Speech
Related Area/Certificates/Minors
Courses, Minors, and Certificates listed are only suggestions. Students should consult the Ohio University Undergraduate Catalog to identify requisite requirements for courses and to identify requirements and application processes for Minors and Certificates.
Suggested Foundational and Specialization Courses:
- POLS 1010 – Politics in the United States
- POLS 2000 – American Politics, Policy, and Administration
- POLS 4060 – Elections and Campaigns
- POLS 4062 – American Voting Behavior
- POCO 2010—Introduction to Political Communication
- POCO 4010—Seminar in Political Communication
- POLS 3040 – State Politics
- POLS 3200 – Urban Politics
- POLS 4015 – Constitutional Politics
- POLS 4050 – American Political Parties
- POLS 4065 – American Political Behavior
- POLS 4067 – Women and Politics
- POLS 4180 – Interest Groups in American Politics
- POLS 4230 – Political Leadership
- POLS 4705 – The Politics of Rights
- POLS 4739 – Politics of Race
- POLS 4190 – Gay and Lesbian Politics
- POLS 4210 – The Politics of Law and Sexuality
- POLS 4065 – American Political Behavior
- Certificate in Political Communication
- Political Science Minor