In the current politically charged environment, almost all news can be considered political news. Students in Medill's Politics, Policy and Foreign Affairs specialization relentlessly cover these hot topics from Chicago, Washington and across the globe. These topics provide plenty of news to cover, even when it's not campaign seasonalthough you will get the chance to cover elections if the timing works out during your program. For journalists, the stakes are high: An informed electorate is crucial to democracy and journalists are needed to help consumers understand the real issues of the day.<br><br>At Medill, youll build a solid foundation in reporting that will allow you to cover complex issues such as the deficit, immigration, national security and foreign policy. In fact, almost every issue, from trade to education to housing, has a policy component. Youll hear from experts in the political, administrative and legislative processes. The Politics, Policy and Foreign Affairs curriculum provides you with a solid foundation in the principles of modern journalism as well as in-depth subject area knowledge on political and policy topics. Youll also have an opportunity to take a few additional elective courses that match your interests and career goals.<br><br>In addition to coursework, the MSJ program offers a variety of experiences that enable you to travel to different cities and countries, gain additional skills, meet alumni and industry professionals and plan for post-graduation. We often add new courses and revise course content to remain at the forefront of the rapidly changing journalism and media landscape. As such, our courses are subject to change.