2015-2016 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies
Requirements for a Major in Communication Studies
1. Core Credits: 9
All students majoring in the School of Communications must complete the following core courses, for a total of nine credits:
- COM 101 - Concepts of Communication (3 credits) Credits: 3
- COM 295 - Communication Theory (3 credits) Credits: 3
- COM 201 - Speech (3 credits) Credits: 3
Capstone requirement:
All students majoring in the School of Communications must take COM 495 (three credits) during their senior year. This Capstone course offers a synthesis of ideas and theories about one or more current critical issues in communication.
B.A. and B.S. Degree Requirement
All undergraduate programs in the School of Communications offer both the B.A. degree and the B.S. degree. All students selecting majors in the School of Communications must choose either the B.A. or the B.S. degree requirement that is intended for a particular undergraduate program.
B.A. Degree Requirement
The B.A. degree requires a third-semester proficiency in a foreign language of the student's choice.
B.S. Degree Requirement
The B.S. degree requirement for communication studies is:
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics Credits: 3
- COM 275 - Foundations of Communication Research Credits: 3
- COM 375 - Communication Research Credits: 3
2. Communication Studies Core
(At least 24 credits)
- COM 202 - Critical Interpretation (3 credits) Credits: 3 OR COM 203 - Argument and Analysis (3 credits) Credits: 3
- COM 498 - Senior Thesis/Project (1 to 6 credits) Credits: 1 to 6 OR COM 490 - Internship (1 to 6 credits) Credits: 1 to 6
At least 18 unduplicated credits from the following communication studies courses (courses with the COM prefix), at least 12 credits of which must be at the 300-level or above:
- COM 202 - Critical Interpretation Credits: 3
- COM 203 - Argument and Analysis Credits: 3
- COM 209 - Health Communication Systems Credits: 3
- COM 210 - Nonverbal Communication Credits: 3
- COM 220 - Media Literacy Credits: 3
- COM 271 - History of Communications Technologies Credits: 3
- COM 301 - Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3
- COM 302 - Small Group Communication Credits: 3
- COM 303 - Debate Credits: 3
- COM 320 - Vision and Culture Credits: 3
- COM 371 - Media and Society Credits: 3
- COM 372 - Global Communications Credits: 3
- COM 376 - Communications Policy and Law Credits: 3
- COM 378 - Intercultural Communication Credits: 3
- COM 380 - Special Topics in Communications Credits: 1 to 6
- COM 399 - Independent Study Credits: 1 to 6
- COM 438 - Communication Ethics Credits: 3
Can include more than one COM 380. Can include no more than 3 credits in COM 399, and no more than 3 credits in COM 490.
3. Elective Credits **
(At least 9 credits)
Any of the following approved courses in the other School of Communications major programs:
- Advertising and Public Relations:
- CAP 210 - Fundamentals of Advertising Credits: 3
- CAP 220 - Fundamentals of Public Relations Credits: 3
- CAP 310 - Advertising Management and Cases Credits: 3
- CAP 315 - Advertising Copywriting Credits: 3
- CAP 320 - Public Relations Management and Cases Credits: 3
- CAP 321 - Media Relations Writing Credits: 3
- CMJ 256 - News Reporting Credits: 3
- CJR 270 - News Reporting II Credits: 3
- CMJ 290 - Journalism History Credits: 3
- CMJ 316 - News Editing and Graphics Credits: 3
Broadcasting:
- CBR 240 - Survey of Electronic Media Credits: 3
- CBR 281 - Audio Production I Credits: 3
- CBR 340 - Life on Television Credits: 3
- CBR 368 - Broadcast News I Credits: 3
- Film and Video Production:
- CFV 125 - Media Production I Credits: 3
- CFV 225 - Film Culture Credits: 3
- CFV 348 - Film Theories Credits: 3
- CFV 370 - American Cinema Credits: 3
Photography:
- CPH 171 - Photography I Credits: 4
- CPH 172 - Photography II Credits: 3
- CPH 266 - History of Photography I Credits: 3
- CPH 279 - Color Photography 1 Credits: 3
Theatre:
- CTH 151 - Acting Process Credits: 3
- CTH 161 - Theatre Production Credits: 3
- CTH 261 - Stagecraft I Credits: 3
- CTH 362 - Production Dramaturgy Credits: 3
- CTH 371 - Theatre History I Credits: 3
- CTH 372 - Theatre History II Credits: 3
- CTH 373 - Global Arts Performance Credits: 3
Health Communications:
- CAP 220 - Fundamentals of Public Relations (3 credits)
- COM 209 - Health Communication Systems Credits: 3
- COM 410 - Senior Seminar in Health Communication Credits: 3
** Courses cannot count for both emphasis area and communication studies core credits (no double-dip). COM prefix courses not otherwise applied to the major may be eligible for substitution as emphasis area course credits, pending advisor approval. Other emphasis area courses may qualify for application to the major but may not be listed. See your advisor.
Suggested Pattern of Coursework
This option assumes students will complete the required skills, general education, and cognate courses.
First Year:
Second Year:
- COM 202 - Critical Interpretation (3 credits) or COM 203 - Argument and Analysis (3 credits) (both SWS)
- COM 295 - Communication Theory (3 credits)
- COM 2XX
- 1 class emphasis area
- 1 class emphasis area
Third Year:
- COM 2XX
- COM 3/4XX
- COM 3/4XX
- 1 class emphasis area
- 1 class emphasis area
Fourth Year:
- COM 3/4XX
- COM 495 - Issues in Communication (Capstone) (3 credits)
- COM 498 - Senior Thesis/Project (1 to 6 credits)