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The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies is a broadly-based program designed to provide you with a generalist’s orientation to the communication discipline. You will be encouraged to investigate all aspects of the program and develop a core of knowledge in communication studies. The minimum grade of C is required in all major and minor courses.
The communication studies curriculum is designed so that you will be able to:
- Understand the human communication process, its major elements (i.e., source, receiver, message, channel, feedback, noise, context), and different contexts (e.g., interpersonal, intercultural, organizational, public).
- Understand the complexity and dynamics of human communication.
- Develop awareness of cultural similarities and dissimilarities, and appreciation of differences in all communication contexts.
- Identify the interplay among source, message, channel, and audience in persuasion and distinguish among the various persuasive strategies.
Degree Requirements
| PRE | NUM | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| COM | 200 | INTRODUCTION TO MASS MEDIA Processes, systems, and effects of the printed and electronic media; the role of newspapers, magazines, movies, radio, and television. | 3 |
| COM | 201 | INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION This course provides an overview of the human communication discipline. Students will be introduced to various topics within Communication, including the rudiments of communication theory and a survey of communication contexts (e.g., interpersonal, small group, organizational, public, mass, and intercultural). | 3 |
| ADV | 301 | PRINCIPLES OF ADVERTISING Basic principles of advertising and their role in media and society. Includes advertising environment in the 21st Century, agency and client relationships, consumer behavior, ethics, and the role of research, creative appeals, and media selection in advertising effectiveness. Study of the organization of the advertising profession. | 3 |
| COM | 390 | PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC RELATIONS Basic concepts of public relations; case studies; the tools and media used in communication with the public. | 3 |
| COM | 407 | THEORIES OF HUMAN COMMUNICATION The study of Theoretical orientations in the field of human communication. Focus on 20th century theorists and schools of thought including models of communication. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing. | 3 |
| COM | 499 | INTERNSHIP Practical experience in communication in a professional setting. CR/NC grade; unpaid internships only. Prerequisites: Senior standing (90+ credit hours); 2.5 overall G.P.A. with minimum 3.0 G.P.A. in major; approval of Advisor, Department Chair, and Dean. | 3 |
| OR | |||
| COM | 399 | PRACTICUM (OR ADDITIONAL UPPER LEVEL Practical experience in communication in a professional setting. CR/NC grade; unpaid internships only. Prerequisites: Senior standing (90+ credit hours); 2.5 overall G.P.A. with minimum 3.0 G.P.A. in major; approval of Advisor, Department Chair, and Dean. | 3 |
Public Address Courses (6 Credits)
| PRE | NUM | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| SPE | 401 | BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION Application of principles of speech communication in the presentation of informational reports, conference management, and interviewing. Prerequisite: SPE 101 | 3 |
| SPE | 415 | SPEECH RESEARCH, WRITING & DELIVERY Study of speech design and delivery for a variety of public situations. Includes the study of research sources, content, and organization in speeches written for and delivered by others. Prerequisite: SPE 101. | 3 |
Context Courses (12 Credits)
| PRE | NUM | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| COM | 104 | INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION Study of self-concept, perception, language, listening, emotions, and conflict as they relate to person-to-person communication. | 3 |
| COM | 304 | INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION An introduction to the factors which influence communication among individuals of different subcultures. Both theoretical and practical problems of intercultural communication are analyzed. Prerequisite: SPE 101 or COM 104. | 3 |
| COM | 326 | SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION Theory and practice in leading and participating in small groups. Special focus on problem solving and the management of conflict. Prerequisites: COM 201 and either SPE 101 or COM 104. | 3 |
| COM | 408 | RELATIONAL COMMUNICATION Focus on the nature and functions of communication within relationships. The purpose of this course is to provide a survey of some of the major theoretical perspectives and historical and contemporary research on relational communication. Topics include relationship stages, attraction, dating, relational communication dysfunction, and family communication. Prerequisites: COM 201 and either SPE 101 or COM 104. | 3 |
| COM | 320 | FAMILY COMMUNICATION This course focuses on the ways families communicate in order to increase understanding of one’s own communication behaviors and improve speech and communication skills. The course will focus on the principles and practices of effective, ethical, persuasive communication as applied to family groups. Prerequisites: COM 201 and either SPE 101 or COM 104. | 3 |
| COM | 409 | ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION This course focuses on the nature and functions of communication in organizational settings. The course seeks to provide students with an understanding of the concepts and methods needed to assess and improve the nature of communication processes in organizations. Prerequisites: Junior or Senior standing. | 3 |
| COM | 412 | PERSUASION Beginning with Aristotle, this course provides an historical perspective on how persuasion has evolved to modern times. Emphasis on factors such as attention, perception, needs, values, and credibility. Practice in presentation of persuasive oral and written communication. Emphasis given to persuasive campaigns. Prerequisites: COM 201 and either SPE 101 or COM 104. | 3 |
| COMMUNICATION ELECTIVES (Courses designated ADV, COM, JOU, or SPE) | 6 |
| GENERAL ELECTIVES | 6 |
| DEGREE TOTAL: | 120 |
Minor in Communication Studies (21 Credits)
| PRE | NUM | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| COM | 104 | INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION Study of self-concept, perception, language, listening, emotions, and conflict as they relate to person-to-person communication. | 3 |
| COM | 201 | INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION This course provides an overview of the human communication discipline. Students will be introduced to various topics within Communication, including the rudiments of communication theory and a survey of communication contexts (e.g., interpersonal, small group, organizational, public, mass, and intercultural). | 3 |
| COM | 304 | INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION An introduction to the factors which influence communication among individuals of different subcultures. Both theoretical and practical problems of intercultural communication are analyzed. Prerequisite: SPE 101 or COM 104. | 3 |
| COM | 407 | THEORIES OF HUMAN COMMUNICATION The study of Theoretical orientations in the field of human communication. Focus on 20th century theorists and schools of thought including models of communication. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing. | 3 |
| COM | 408 | RELATIONAL COMMUNICATION Focus on the nature and functions of communication within relationships. The purpose of this course is to provide a survey of some of the major theoretical perspectives and historical and contemporary research on relational communication. Topics include relationship stages, attraction, dating, relational communication dysfunction, and family communication. Prerequisites: COM 201 and either SPE 101 or COM 104. | 3 |
| COM | 409 | ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION This course focuses on the nature and functions of communication in organizational settings. The course seeks to provide students with an understanding of the concepts and methods needed to assess and improve the nature of communication processes in organizations. Prerequisites: Junior or Senior standing. | 3 |
| SPE | 401 | BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION Application of principles of speech communication in the presentation of informational reports, conference management, and interviewing. Prerequisite: SPE 101 | 3 |
| OR | |||
| SPE | 415 | SPEECH RESEARCH, WRITING & DELIVERY Study of speech design and delivery for a variety of public situations. Includes the study of research sources, content, and organization in speeches written for and delivered by others. Prerequisite: SPE 101. | 3 |
