2019-2020 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies
Requirements for a Major in Communication Studies
1. Core Credits: 12
All students majoring in the School of Communications must complete the following core courses, for a total of twelve 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 communication studies 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
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. degree requirement or the B.S. degree requirement 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:
- 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
At least 3 credits
- 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 215 - Story Making Credits: 3
- COM 220 - Media Literacy 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
- COM 477 - History of Communications Technologies Credits: 3
Can include more than one COM 380. Can include no more than three credits in COM 399. Up to six COM 490 credits allowed in the core/major.
3. Elective Credits**
At least nine credits.
Any of the following courses or other advisor-approved course(s) from across the university:
- Advertising and Public Relations
- CAP 209 - Advertising Basics Credits: 3
- CAP 219 - Public Relations Basics 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
Multimedia Journalism
- CMJ 184 - Television Media Production Credits: 3
- CMJ 236 - News in Society Credits: 3
- CMJ 256 - News Reporting Credits: 3
- CMJ 284 - Broadcast News I Credits: 3
- CMJ 290 - Media History Credits: 3
- CMJ 316 - News Editing and Graphics Credits: 3
- Film and Video Production
- FVP 123 - Survey of Media Production Modes Credits: 3
- FVP 125 - Media Production I Credits: 3
- FVP 225 - Film Culture Credits: 3
- FVP 373 - Issues of Representation Credits: 3
- FVP 376 - Latin American Cinema Credits: 3
Photography
- PHO 171 - Photography I Credits: 4
- PHO 172 - Photography II Credits: 3
- PHO 175 - Understanding Still Photography Credits: 3
- PHO 266 - History of Photography I Credits: 3
- PHO 272 - Digital Photography 1 Credits: 3
- PHO 279 - Color Photography 1 Credits: 3
Theatre
- THE 151 - Acting Process Credits: 3
- THE 161 - Theatre Production Credits: 3
- THE 162 - Play Analysis Credits: 3
- THE 261 - Stagecraft I Credits: 3
- THE 362 - Production Dramaturgy Credits: 3
- THE 371 - Theatre History I Credits: 3
- THE 372 - Theatre History II Credits: 3
- THE 373 - Global Arts Performance Credits: 3
Health Communication
- COM 209 - Health Communication Systems Credits: 3
- CAP 220 - Fundamentals of Public Relations (3 credits)
- COM 410 - Senior Seminar in Health Communication Credits: 3
**Courses cannot count for both elective credits and communication studies core credits. COM prefix courses not otherwise applied to the major may be eligible for substitution as elective course credits, pending advisor approval. Other 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
- One class elective credit area
- One class elective credit area
Third Year:
- COM 3/4XX
- COM 3/4XX
- COM 3/4XX
- One class elective credit area
Fourth Year:
- COM 3/4XX
- COM 495 - Issues in Communication (Capstone) (3 credits)
- COM 498 - Senior Thesis/Project (1 to 6 credits) OR COM 490 - Internship (1 to 6 credits)