Graduate Studies in Political Communication at the University of Wisconsin
Faculty and students across a range of departments at the University of Wisconsin are at the forefront of research on politics and communication, specializing in studies of the content and effects of news and entertainment media, political advertising, political discussion, and the Internet, and the role that these forms of communication play in democratic processes around the world. The programs examining political communication include scholars from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds interested in exploring such compelling questions as whether and how mass and interpersonal communication matters for citizen engagement, efficacy, deliberation, knowledge, turnout, voting behavior and other political phenomenon.
Research on political communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is adding to basic knowledge on the interface of media and politics and influencing the practices of analysts, activists, and media professionals. Our faculty has expertise in a wide range of research methods and study various modes of political communication, from political advertising to informal political talk, from television to the Internet. Some focus on the effects of mass media and interpersonal communication, whereas others attend to the content and deliberative potential of political communications.
Central to many of these activities, the NewsLab and Wisconsin Advertising projects are providing crucial data on the content, volume, and targeting of both free (local news) and paid (advertising) messages. These data are not only being used in a series of scholarly books, articles, chapters, and papers, but also consistent with the values of the Wisconsin idea, are being utilized extensively by the press, public, and policy makers.
Projects concerning civic engagement and the public sphere are also contributing to local governments and community-based organizations, as well as adding to understanding about the role of mass and interpersonal communication in public life. Ongoing projects involve explorations of the effects of television and digital media, political discussion, civic dialogue, and public journalism and deliberations. These projects are influencing the practices of public sector entities like the Public Broadcasting Service and regional media systems.
The UW also leads theory and research on news framing effects and social perceptions of media effects, especially impersonal influence. Current projects include online survey experiments involving the interplay of text and video factors to study message framing along with hostile media and third-person perceptions.
Graduate students studying media and politics at the UW will have the opportunity to work with faculty across departments, take part in interdisciplinary research projects and use the data they collect in their own work.