Global Communication Program of Study
To earn your Master of Arts in Global Communication you must successfully complete our 40 credit program which includes 15 credits in core courses, 9 credits in either a Global Issue or Regional Field Specialization, one 3 credit Skills Course, and 9 credits of electives. You must also complete a 4 credit capstone project or enroll in the 3 credit Alternative Capstone Option. Students also have the option to pursue a thesis.
Master of Arts in Global Communication Program of Study
SMPA 6210 Media and Foreign Policy (fall)
SMPA 6241 Research Methods (recommended first semester course)
IAFF 6101 International Affairs Cornerstone*
ECON 6280 Survey of International Economics
- OR -
ECON 6250 Survey of Economic Development
PLUS one additional course (3 credits) from the following:
SMPA 6202 Media Effects and Persuasion
SMPA 6204 Strategic Political Communication (offered to Global Communication students only in spring semesters)
HIST 6030 Uses of History in International Affairs
*The International Affairs Cornerstone is the Elliott School's core graduate course on International Relations Theory and Policy, taught by two of our best faculty, and tailored to the needs of Elliott School graduate students. Global Communication students are required to take this course in the first fall semester of their studies. The International Affairs Cornerstone will not be offered during the spring semester.
You must complete a Capstone project as a culminating experience during your final year of study at the Elliott School.
Elliott School Capstone projects provide an opportunity for you to apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired through your coursework to a current policy question.
If you want to to continue to a Ph.D. program or pursue a research-oriented job, you may consider writing a thesis, which is an independent, in-depth research project that takes a year or more to complete. If you choose to complete a thesis, you must do so in addition to the Capstone requirement. Thesis credits will be counted as elective or specialization credits with Program Director approval. To pursue a thesis you need a minimum of a 3.5 GPA after completing 20 credit hours in the program and approval from the faculty member you wish to serve as your thesis director. Thesis students also need to complete at least one research methods course.
IAFF 6502-6503
- Cross Cultural Communication
- Developing Communication Strategies
- Formal Briefing
- Introduction to Editing
- Negotiating Skills
- Op-Ed Writing Skills
- Public Speaking
- Writing for International Affairs Professionals
Students in the Global Communication program are also permitted to take skills courses in the School of Media and Public Affairs. Courses are only offered in the spring semester and are 1.5 credit hours each. View SMPA skills courses.
Electives may consist of courses relating to international affairs or communication, with approval of the program director.
With Program Director approval, graduate students can apply a maximum of 6 credits of language courses toward the electives. In consultation with the student, the Program Director will determine which level language course and how many credits of language are appropriate for the student’s Plan of Study.
Global Issues
The Global Issue specialization will deepen your understanding of contemporary issues facing Global Communication. You may choose from among ten global issue specializations. You can find specific course listings for your chosen Global Issue Specialization in the GW Bulletin.
ECON 6255 Economics of Technological Change
IAFF 6142 Technology Creation/ Diffusion
IAFF 6151 Environmental Policy
IAFF 6153 Science, Technology, and National Security
IAFF 6158 Special Topics in International Science and Technology Policy
IAFF 6501 Applied Quantitative Analysis
IAFF 6996 U.S. Space Policy
LAW 6412 Communication Law
LAW 6414 Telecommunication Law
PMGT 6214 Public Opinion Dynamics
PPPA 6018 Public Policy, Governance, and the Global Market
PSPR 6201 Public Relations Principles and Practice
PSPR 6204 Media Relations in the New Media World
PSPR 6208 Strategic Marketing and Marketing Communication
SMPA 6250 Special Topics in Media Processes and Institutions
- Information, Media and National Security
- Changing Media Technology
- International Communication
- Electronic Media Policy
- Public Affairs and Government Information
ANTH 6507 Nationalism and Ethnicity
GEOG 6224 Political Geography
HIST 6822 Nationalism in the Middle East
IAFF 6118 Special Topics in International Affairs
- Ethics and International Politics
- Nation Building: Theory and Practice
- Religion and International Affairs
- Reinventing the United Nations
- Theory and Practice of International Negotiations
IAFF 6186 Special Topics in Security Policy
- Food, Globalization, and Conflict
- Military and Post-Conflict Intervention
- Responses to Terrorism
- War to Peace Transition
IAFF 6999 Thesis Research
- Issues in Conflict Resolution
- Conflict Mitigation and Resolution in Africa
MGT 6215 Conflict Management and Negotiations
PPSY 6103 Political Violence and Terrorism
PSC 6442 Politics and Practice of International Institutions
PSC 6444 Politics of International Law
PSC 6349 International Security Politics
PSC 6351 Civil-Military Relations
PSC 6476 The Arab-Israeli Conflict
PSC 8388 Selected Topics in Comparative Politics
- Nationalism in Former Soviet Republics
SMPA 6250 Topics in Media Processes and Institutions
- Race, Media and Politics
Students interested in pursuing a specialization in Global Gender Policy will be encouraged to find classes across the university that best suit their career and research interests. As with other specializations, the Global Communication program will offer some suggestions as to appropriate classes listed in the GW Bulletin, but with the understanding that this is not meant to represent the universe of potential classes (especially with some classes being taught as Special Topics). A sample of such recommended classes include:
IAFF 6102 Global Gender Policy
IAFF 6136 Gender and Development
IAFF 2190W Women in Global Politics
IAFF 3183 Human Trafficking
IAFF 6122 Development Policy & Practice
WGSS 6230 Global Feminism
WGSS 6225 Contemporary Feminist Theory
SMPA 6205 Media, Development & Globalization
PHIL 6238 Feminist Ethics and Policy Implications
PSYCH 8275/WGSS 8275 Women & Health
SOC 6271 Gender and Society
SOC 6273 The Sex Industry
SOC 6265/WGSS 6265 Women, Welfare, and Poverty
SOC 6268 Race, Gender, and Class
WGSS 6257/ANTH 6501 Gender and Sexuality
WGSS 6266 Gender and Criminal Justice
WGSS 6268/SOC 6268 Race, Gender and Class
WGSS 6240 Women and Public Policy
ANTH 6302 Issues in Development
ANTH 6505 Medical Anthropology
ANTH 6591 Topics
- Refugees and Displaced Persons
ECON 6248 Health Economics
GEOG 6223 Population and Health
PUBH 6430 Theories and Applications for Global Health Promotion
PUBH 6435 Global Health Program Development and Evaluation
PUBH 6437 Global Health Program Evaluation
PUBH 6442 Comparative Global Health Systems
PUBH 6503 Introduction to Public Health Communication and Marketing
Anthropology
ANTH 6301 The Anthropology of Development
ANTH 6302 Issues in Development
ANTH 6331 Research Methods in Development Anthropology
ANTH 6391 Anthropology and Contemporary Problems
ANTH 6505 Medical Anthropology
ANTH 6507 Nationalism and Ethnicity
ANTH 6591 Topics in Sociocultural Anthropology
ECON | GEOG | STAT 6291 Methods in Demographic Analysis
PPPA 6006 Policy Analysis
PPPA 6002 Research Methods and Applied Statistics
PPPA 6016 Public and Nonprofit Program Evaluation
PSPR 6204 Media Relations in the New Media World
PSPR 6208 Strategic Marketing and Marketing Communication
SOC 6230 Sociological Research Methods
SOC 6232 Qualitative Methodology: Doing Field Research
Environment
EMSE 6200 Policy Factors in Environmental and Energy Management
IAFF 6151 Environmental Policy
GEOG 6222 Resources and the Environment
GEOG 6223 Population and Health
GEOG 6230 Environmental Issues in Development
GEOG 6250 Geographical Perspectives on Development
PPPA 6066 Environmental Policy
PHIL 6281 Environmental Philosophy and Policy
Humanitarian Assistance
EMSE 6305 Crisis and Emergency Management
EMSE 6320 International Disaster Management
GEOG 6224 Political Geography
PUBH 6430 Theories for Global Health Communication Interventions
PUBH 6442 Comparative Global Health Systems
PUBH 6503 Introduction to Public Health Communication and Marketing
International Development Management
DNSC 6265 International Development for Project Managers
IBUS 6402 Managing in Developing Countries
PPPA 6025 Ethics and Public Values
PPPA 6057 International Development Administration
PPPA 6058 International Development NGO Management
PPPA 6059 International Development Management Processes and Tools
PPPA 6016 Public and Nonprofit Program Evaluation
PPPA 6018 Public Policy, Governance and the Global Market System
SMPA 6250 Topics in Media Processes and Institutions
- Media in the Developing World
International Education
EDUC 6100 Special Topics
- Technology and Development in International Education
EDUC 6601 International and Comparative Education
EDUC 6602 Regional Studies in International Education
EDUC 6610 Programs and Policies in International Education
EDUC 6620 Strategies and Analysis in International Education
EDUC 6640 Selected Topics in International Education
EDUC 6650 Education and National Development
Global Health
ANTH 6505 Medical Anthropology
PUBH 6430 Theories for Global Health Communication Interventions
PUBH 6442 Comparative Global Health Systems
PUBH 6503 Introduction to Public Health Communication and Marketing
Political Economy
ECON 6250 Survey of Economic Development
ECON 6269 Economy of China
ECON 6285 Economic Development of Latin America
ECON 6295 Special Topics
- Industrial and Technology Policy in Developing Countries
IBUS 6404 Global Competitive Frameworks
IBUS 6403 International Business Negotiations
PSC 6439 International Political Economy
PSC 6442 Politics and Practice of International Relations
PSC 8388 Selected Topics in Comparative Politics
- Politics of Development
PSPR 6208 Strategic Marketing and Marketing Communication
Women and Development
ANTH 6501 Gender and Sexuality
GEOG 6223 Population and Health
SOC 6273 The Sex Industry
WGSS 6230 Global Feminisms
- Global/Domestic Labor Studies
- Global Islamic Feminisms
- Women and Entrepreneurial Leadership
- Women, Development, and Rights
ECON 6250 Survey of Economic Development
ECON 6255 Economics of Technological Change
ECON 6269 Economy of China
ECON 6271 Economy of Japan
ECON 6285 Economic Development of Latin America
ECON 6295 Special Topics
- Economic Analysis of International Trade Law
- International Economic Integration
- Industrial and Technology Policy in Developing Countries
- Economics of the European Union
- Economics of U.S. Trade Policy
- Economics of U.S. Trade Law
- Emerging Market Financial Crises
IAFF 6138 Special Topics in International Development
- U.S Aid and Trade in the Developing World
IAFF 6318 Special Topics in Asian Studies
- Political Economy of South Asia
IAFF 6358 Special Topics in Latin American Studies
- Political Economy of Latin America
IBUS 6301 International Business Finance
IBUS 6302 Seminar: International Banking
IBUS 6303 External Development Financing
IBUS 6306 Seminar: International Financial Markets
IBUS 6404 New Global Competitive Frameworks
IBUS 6405 Legal Aspects of International and Multinational Business
PSC 6439 International Political Economy
ECON 6295 Special Topics
- Economics of the European Union
IAFF 6118 Special Topics in International Affairs
- Reinventing the United Nations
- Theory and Practice of International Negotiations
LAW 6870 National Security Law
LAW 6520 International Law
LAW 6534 Law of the European Union
PSC 6439 International Political Economy
PSC 6442 Politics and Practice of International Institutions
PSC 6444 Politics of International Law
PSC 8226 Politics and Organizations
SMPA 6250 Topics in Media Processes and Institutions
- Media Law
- Public Affairs and Government Information
Required Course
SMPA 6275/IAFF 6118 Public Diplomacy
Recommended Core Course
SMPA 6204 Strategic Political Communication
Recommended Elective Courses
*Remaining courses in the concentration can be drawn from the following (other courses not listed may count with Director approval):
EDUC 6620 Designing and Managing International Education Development Projects
EDUC 6640 Designing Cross-Cultural Training Programs
IAFF 6208/SMPA 6270 Communications in Modern Diplomacy
IAFF 6138 Special Topics in International Development
IAFF 6186 Special Topics in Security Policy Studies
PPPA 6018 Public Policy, Governance, and the Global Market
PPPA 6058 International Development NGO Management
PSC 8334 Democracy and Democratization in Comparative Perspective
PSC 6442 Politics and Practice of International Institutions
PSC 6345 Comparative Foreign Policy
PSC 6351 Civil-Military Relations
PUBH 6431 Global Health Communications
PUBH 6571 Social Marketing
SMPA 6205 Media, Development, and Globalization
SMPA 6270 Development, Governance, and Digital Technology
SMPA 6274 Media and War
ECON 6295 Special Topics
- Economics of U.S Trade Policy
HIST 6001 Special Topics
- History of International Economic System
HIST 6032 Strategy and Policy
HIST 6310 Readings in 19th Century American History
HIST 6320-6321 Readings/Research Seminar: Recent U.S. History
HIST 6330 Modern U.S. Foreign Policy
IAFF 6118 Special Topics in International Affairs
- U.S Public Diplomacy
IAFF 6153 Science, Technology, and National Security
IAFF 6186 Special Topics in Security Policy Studies
- Covert Action and National Security
- Forward Engagement
- Globalization and National Security
- Intelligence and National Security Policymaking
- Military and Post Conflict Intervention
- National Security Resources
- Terrorism and U.S. Foreign Policy
- Transnational Security Issues
IAFF 6302 Taiwan: Internal Development and Foreign Policy
IAFF 6305 U.S.-South Asian Relations
IAFF 6338 Special Topics in European & Eurasian Studies
- Transatlantic Relations
IAFF 6378 Special Topics in Middle East Studies
- Mediterranean Region and U.S. Security
IAFF 6505 Elliott School Seminar: The Internet and International Relations
IAFF 6521 U.S. Foreign Policy in a Global Era
IAFF 6145 U.S. Space Policy
LAW 6870 National Security Law
PSC 6346 The Politics of U.S. Foreign Policy
PSC 6347 U.S. Foreign Policy Traditions
PSC 6348 Politics of U.S. National Security Policy
PSC 6372 Foreign Policy of China
PSC 6439 International Political Economy
PSC 8229 Politics and Public Policy
PSC 8388 Selected Topics in Comparative Politics
- Theories of Democracy
PSC 8489 Selected Topics in International Politics
- Identity and Major Wars
Note: Special/Selected Topics courses change often
Check the schedule of classes for each semester's offerings. With permission of the program director, other Special/Selected Topics courses not listed here may be used to fulfill program requirements.
SMPA 6250 Topics in Media Processes and Institutions
SMPA 6270 Topics in Mass Media and Public Opinion
HIST 6001 Special Topics
IAFF 6118 Special Topics in International Affairs
- U.S. Public Diplomacy
- Theory and Practice of International Negotiation
IAFF 6186 Special Topics in Security Policy
- Covert Action and National Security
- Forward Engagement
- Health and National Security
- Military Geography
- Organized Crime
- Post-Conflict Development
- Responses to Terrorism
- Strategic Planning for the 21st Century
- Terrorism and U.S. Foreign Policy
- National Security Resources
- Military and Post-Conflict Intervention
- Weapons Proliferation and Nonproliferation
- Intelligence and National Security Policymaking
- Issues in International Criminal Law
IAFF 6338 Special Topics in European & Eurasian Studies
- Transatlantic Security Issues
- NATO & European Security
IAFF 6318 Special Topics in Asian Studies
- Transatlantic Security Issues
- Asian Regional Security
ANTH 6507 Nationalism and Ethnicity
ANTH 6391 Anthropology and Contemporary Problems
ECON 6239 Economics of Defense
GEOG 6224 Political Geography
HIST 6032 Strategy Policy
HIST 6330 Modern U.S. Foreign Policy, 1898–2001
IAFF 6145 U.S. Space Policy
IAFF 6151 Environmental Policy
IAFF 6153 Science, Technology, and National Security
IAFF 6160 Defense Policy and Program Analysis I
IAFF 6167 Defense Policy and Program Analysis II
IAFF 6165 Fundamentals of Intelligence
IAFF 6163 Transnational Security
IAFF 6169 Homeland Security
IAFF 6171 Intro to Conflict Resolution
IAFF 6362 Regional Security in the Middle East
LAW 6870 National Security Law
LAW 6552 Law of War
MGT 6215 Conflict Management and Negotiation
PPSY 6101 Fundamentals of Political Psychology
PPSY 6102 Political Psychology Research Methods
PPSY 6103 Political Violence and Terrorism
PSC 6442 Politics and Practice of International Institutions
PSC 6444 Politics of International Law
PSC 6346 The Politics of U.S. Foreign Policy
PSC 6347 U.S. Foreign Policy Traditions
PSC 6348 Politics of U.S. National Security Policy
PSC 6349 International Security Politics
PSC 6457 Arms Control and Disarmament
PSC 6476 The Arab-Israeli Conflict
Regional Field Specializations
You may choose one regional field specialization, selecting three courses listed under that field. Students may design their own field with the approval of the Program Director, or select one of the following fields. You can find specific course listings for your chosen Regional Field Specialization in the GW Bulletin.
ECON 6269 Economy of China
ECON 6271 Economy of Japan
HIST 6001 Special Topics Seminar
- Central Asian History
HIST 6610 Readings Seminar: Late Imperial China
HIST 6611 Readings Seminar: 20th Century China
HIST 6621 Modern Japanese History
HIST 6630 Topics in Korean History
HIST 6641 Modern Southeast Asia
IAFF 6302 Taiwan: Internal Development and Foreign Policy
IAFF 6318 Special Topics in Asian Studies
- Asian Regional Security
- Force in Asian Politics
- International Relations of South Asia
IAFF 6305 U.S.-South Asia Relations
PSC 6370 Politics of China I
PSC 6372 Foreign Policy of China
PSC 6475 International Politics of East Asia
PSC 8388 Selected Topics in Comparative Politics
- Political Economy of East and Southeast Asia
- Japanese Politics
PSC 8489 Selected Topics in International Politics
- Japanese Foreign Policy
- U.S.-China Relation
- Politics of Asia Pacific Economic Integration
PSPR 6201 Public Relations Principles and Practice
PSPR 6204 Media Relations in the New Media World
PSPR 6208 Strategic Marketing and Marketing Communications
SMPA 6250 Topics in Media Processes and Institutions
- Media in the Developing World
ECON 6295 Special Topics
- East European Economies in Historical Perspective
- Post-Communist Economic Analysis
GEOG 6265 Geography of the Former Soviet Union
HIST 6001 Special Topics Seminar
- Central Asian History
HIST 6042 World War II
HIST 6050 Modernization, Imperialism, Globalization
HIST 6051 Re-thinking Cold War History
HIST 6105 European Intellectual History
HIST 6120 Early Modern European History
HIST 6121 Modern European History
HIST 6128 Europe and the World, 1500-Present
HIST 6133 English People and Institutions
HIST 6170-71 Eastern European History
HIST 6180 History of Modern Russia and the Soviet Union
HIST 6185 Russian and Soviet Thought
HIST 6188 Soviet Foreign Policy, 1917–1991
IAFF 6338 Special Topics in European & Eurasian Studies
- Caucasus in the 20th Century
- Central Asia: Issues and Challenges
- Geopolitics of Ukraine
- Mediterranean Region & U.S. Foreign Policy
- Nationalism in Ukraine and Russia
- NATO and European Security
- Political Economy of the European Union
- Scandinavia & Baltic States
- Transatlantic Security Relations
- Turkey's Place in Europe
PSC 6333 Comparative Politics of Russia and Eurasia
PSC 6360 Western European Politics
PSC 6361 Politics of European Integration
PSC 6364 Comparative Governments and Politics of Eastern Europe
PSC 6366 Government and Politics of Russia
PSC 6462 The Political Economy of Advanced Industrial States
PSC 6465 The International Politics of Eastern Europe
PSC 8388 Selected Topics in Comparative Politics
- Government and Politics of Ukraine
PSPR 6201 Public Relations Principles and Practice
PSPR 6204 Media Relations in the New Media World
ANTH 6702 Anthropology of Latin America
HIST 6701 Topics in Latin American History
- 20th Century Latin American Revolutions
ECON 6285 Economic Development of Latin America
GEOG 6261 Geographical Perspectives on Latin America
IAFF 6341 Latin American and Hemispheric Studies Cornerstone
IAFF 6342 Drug Trafficking in the Americas
IAFF 6343 Indigenous Social Movements
IAFF 6358 Special Topics in Latin American Studies
- Brazil Since Independence
- Economic Integration of the Americas
- Mexico Since Independence
- Political and Economic Development of the Southern Cone
- Political Economy of Latin America
- Remittances in Latin America
PSC 6383 Comparative Politics of Latin America
PSC 6484 International Relations of Latin America
SMPA 6250 Topics in Media Processes and Institutions
- Media in the Developing World
HIST 6822 Nationalism in the Middle East
IAFF 6362 Regional Security in the Middle East
IAFF 6363 Political Economy of the Middle East
IAFF 6364 Religion and Society in the Middle East
IAFF 6378 Special Topics in Middle East Studies
PSC 6377 Comparative Politics of the Middle East
PSC 6476 The Arab-Israeli Conflict
PSC 6478 International Relations of the Middle East
SMPA 6250 Topics in Media Processes and Institutions
- Media in the Developing World
- Graduate Academics
- Master's Programs
- Asian Studies
- European and Eurasian Studies
- Global Communication
- International Affairs
- International Development Studies
- International Economic Policy
- International Science and Technology Policy
- Latin American and Hemispheric Studies
- Middle East Studies
- Security Policy Studies
- International Policy and Practice (MIPP)
- International Studies (MIS)
- Joint and Dual Degrees
- Flex-Start Program
- Graduate Certificate Programs
- Executive Education
- Graduate Course Descriptions
- Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement
- Global Capstone
- Professional Skills Courses
- Master's Programs
- Undergraduate Academics
- Short-term Abroad and Summer Courses
- Dean's Scholars Program
Elliott School of
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