Requirements for a Major in Communication Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Must earn grades of C- or better in all courses used to complete the major. Minimum of 12 courses, 36 hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction & Skills (4 courses) | ||
| COMM 201 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 |
| COMM 210 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| COMM 215 | Interpersonal and Small Group Communication | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Speechwriting | ||
| Media Writing | ||
| Podcasting | ||
| Interviewing | ||
| Advanced Expository Writing | ||
| Creative Writing | ||
| Creative Nonfiction | ||
| News Writing I | ||
| Feature Writing | ||
| Writing for Film | ||
| Filmmaking | ||
| Upper-level content (4 courses) | ||
| Human Communication | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Health Communication | ||
| Communication in Organizations | ||
| Communicating in Relationships | ||
| Communication & Conflict Management | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Leadership Communication | ||
| Gender Issues in Communication | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Mass Communication/Media | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Communication Law and Ethics | ||
| Health Communication | ||
| American Campaigns and Elections | ||
| Gender Issues in Communication | ||
| Media & Diversity | ||
| Public Relations | ||
| Broadcasting | ||
| New Media | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Rhetoric | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Presidential Rhetoric | ||
| American Public Address | ||
| Rhetoric of Place and Space | ||
| Visual Rhetorics | ||
| Rhetoric of the Body | ||
| Argumentation | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Upper-level Elective | ||
| Select one additional upper-level content course from among the courses listed above or from among the following: | 3 | |
| Special Topics | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Internship in Communication Studies | ||
| Internship in Comm Studies | ||
| Internship in Communications (Paid) | ||
or a relevant course outside the department with chair approval 1 | ||
| Theory/Method & Capstone (4 courses) | ||
| Theory/Method 2 | ||
| COMM 301 | Human Comm Theory & Method | 3 |
| COMM 311 | Rhetorical Theory & Methods | 3 |
| COMM 321 | Mass Communication Theory & Methods | 3 |
| Capstone | ||
| Select one of the following: 3 | 3 | |
| Seminar in Communication Studies | ||
| Communication Discipline | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 1
A student may request by email to the department chair for one 300- or 400-level course in a related area outside of COMM to count as an elective on the COMM major or minor. The outside course should add to the student's study of communication studies and the connection should be articulated in the request to the department chair. An academic internship in a related program may be included among the options for an outside elective on the COMM major or minor. For COMM majors, this course would not replace the required courses in the mass communication, human communication, or rhetoric communication areas, but could count for the student's fourth upper-level content elective.
- 2
The successful completion of COMM 301, COMM 311, and COMM 321 is a prerequisite for COMM 490 and COMM 495. Therefore, students should ideally complete this component in their junior year so that they may enroll in COMM 490 or COMM 495 in either of the semesters of their senior year.
- 3
Students double majoring in COMM as well as another major may elect to substitute, with department chair approval, an upper division elective for the Capstone requirement if they are completing a capstone in their other major.