Communication Studies, B.A.
Communication Studies
This liberal arts-based degree a generalist approach that allows students to tailor a combination of theoretical and applied courses, launching them toward a career such as lobbying, research, media analysis, speechwriting, fundraising, and organizational communication. It also provides a base for graduate education in communication, law, management, and other professional areas.
Communication Core (12 credits, 4 courses)
COM 100 Media Literacy or SPC 103 Introduction to Human Communication
SPC 205 Introduction to Oral Communication
COM 210 Introduction to Media Writing (Prerequisite: CWP 101)
COM 215 Introduction to Visual Communication
GPA Requirement for Upper-Level Curses: Students must maintain a 2.6 major GPA to register for the following courses: COM 301, 302, 303, 304, 308, 312, 319, 322, 325, 328, 329, 336, 337, 338, 390, 400, 401, 405, 418, 428, 429, 431, 432, 433, 434, 450. Note that C is the minimum acceptable grade for any COM or SPC course.
Oral Communication Requirement (3 credits, 1 course from the following)
SPC 306 Public Speaking
SPC 307 Group Communication
SPC 315 Media Performance
Written Communication Requirement (3 credits, 1 course from the following)
COM 303 Print News I: Reporting
COM 304 Writing for Television
COM 308 Public Relations Writing
COM 325 Feature Writing
COM 337 Electronic News I: Producing
COM 390 Special Topics in Journalism
Visual Communication Requirement (3 credits, 1 course from the following)
COM 322 Communication Graphics
COM 329 Video Production
COM 336 Web Publishing
Theory and Criticism Requirement (6 credits, 2 courses from the following)
COM 310 International Communication
COM 327 Literary Journalism
COM 400 Communication Law
COM 401 Communication Research
COM 407 Organizational Communication
COM 410 Communication History
SPC 309 Persuasion and Propaganda
SPC 311 Intercultural Communication
SPC 321 Rhetorical Criticism
SPC 333 Minorities and the Media
SPC 422 Media Criticism
Senior Seminar (3 credits, 1 course)
COM 450 Communication and Society (to be taken after completion of 30 credits in Communication; generally in the final semester)
Independent Work & Communication Electives (12 credits, 4 courses)
Students take 300- and 400-level courses as COM or SPC electives within the Communication Department. Students can tailor their academic program with options such as COM 495 Independent Project or COM 499 Independent Study. Communication Studies majors generally do not participate in COM 488 Internship unless they have the required GPA and have completed the internship prerequisite courses in media production, journalism, public relations or advertising.
Liberal Arts Base (78 credits, 26 courses outside the Communication Department)
As a Bachelor of Arts program, Communication Studies is based in the liberal arts. All students take about one-third of their courses in arts, humanities, civilization, and natural, applied and social sciences. Another third is electives in other departments. The final third is courses in the major.
Note: Students must take at least 80 credit hours in courses outside the major, 65 of these as liberal arts and sciences. Thus any COM credits beyond 40 hours will add to the required 120 credit hours needed for graduation. This is consistent with standards of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.
Revised Fall 2009