2022-2023 Undergraduate General Catalog


Communication Studies Major

34 credit hours

Intended to serve as a liberal arts and professional major which might be used in preparation for a professional school, graduate school, or one of many varied careers in the social services, business, the media, politics, advertising, and public relations.

Required Courses: 25 credit hours

COMM 210Rhetorical Criticism (W)

3

COMM 250Interpersonal Communication (WB)(C)

3

COMM 260Persuasion

3

COMM 270Advocacy and Argumentation (C)

4

COMM 290Communication Research

3

COMM 395Internship

3-4

JOUR 115/ENGL 115News Reporting and Writing (W)

3

 

COMM 310Communication Theory

3

OR

MDST 380Mass Media Effects

3

Elective Requirements: 9 credit hours chosen from the following:

COMM 300Intercultural/International Communication

3

COMM 335/GOVT 335/JOUR 335Elections, Public Opinion and the Media

3

COMM 350Organizational Communication

3

COMM 360Persuasive Campaigns

3

COMM 365/JOUR 365Public Relations

3

COMM 397Topics:

3

COMM 399Independent Study

4

MDST 220History of Electronic Media (US)

3

For students wishing to graduate with departmental honors:

COMM 398Communication Honors Seminar

1

Communication Studies Sample Plan of Study

Following is one possible way to complete the major.  

Students should fill in gaps with coursework required for the core curriculum and other majors/minors to take an average of 14 credit hours each fall and spring, and 3-4 credit hours each Interim.  Total credit hours needs to be 124 for degree completion.

First Year

Fall Semester

FYS 110First Year Seminar I (FS)

4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Interim

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Spring Semester

FYS 112First Year Seminar: Vocation

1

COMM 260Persuasion

3

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Second Year

Fall Semester

COMM 270Advocacy and Argumentation (C)

4

JOUR 115/ENGL 115News Reporting and Writing (W)

3

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Interim

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Spring Semester

COMM 250Interpersonal Communication (WB)(C)

3

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Third Year

Fall Semester

COMM 210Rhetorical Criticism (W)

3

COMM COMM Elective Course

3

COMM COMM Elective Course

3

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Interim

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Spring Semester

COMM 290Communication Research

3

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Fourth Year

Fall Semester

COMM 395Internship

3-4

COMM COMM Elective Course

3

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Interim

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Spring Semester

COMM 310Communication Theory

3

OR

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Students who wish to seek certification for teaching speech and debate at the secondary level should major in both Communication Studies and Secondary Education. These students should take THEA 115: The Theatre Experience and THEA 230: Oral Interpretation. These courses will be accepted as COMM electives for COMM and SEED double majors only.