Programs in Communication Studies

The Department of Communication and Performance Studies offers a major program in communication studies with tracks in mass communication and speech communication. Additionally,minors are offered in advertising and public relations. Students are also able to self-design a minor course of study.

The goals of the programs in communication studies are:
  • to explore communication as a basic liberal arts area of interest to all disciplines and occupations;
  • to improve student communication skills through guided practice and evaluations to examine the role that communication has played in human relationships throughout history;
  • to accumulate those tools that will help students to become more critical consumers, critics and creators of communication.

General Education Requirements:

The following communication courses may be used to fulfill core requirements:
    • COMM 103 or 210
    • Students must also complete a sequence of two courses to fulfill the senior comprehensive requirement.
      • Go to Course Descriptions
      • Go to Senior Comprehensive Description
Program Requirements for the Communication Studies Majors:
  • Mass Communication:
    • The core in mass communication is designed to address the nature, responsibilities and effects of print and broadcast media.
    • Selection from the electives will then allow students to develop further insight into media's role in society, to explore the elements of importance in the analysis of specific media, or to acquire the skills desirable for work in the media.
    • Requirements for the major
      • COMM 103 (must be completed with "B-" or above)
      • COMM 210, 330, 384
      • Two of the following: COMM 302, 308, 312
      • Senior comprehensive sequence; either COMM 302 & 495 or COMM 385 & 496
      • 2 COMM electives
  • Speech Communication:
    • The core in speech communication focuses on the verbal and nonverbal aspects of conversations between people, discussions in small groups, formal presentations before audiences, the targeted messages of advertising and the communication strategies of the mass media.
    • Requirements for the major:
      • COMM 103 (must be completed with "B-" or above)
      • COMM 210
      • Two of the following: COMM 200, 307, 350
      • Two of the following: COMM 302, 308, 312
      • Senior comprehensive sequence; either COMM 302 & 495 or COMM 385 & 496
      • 2 COMM electives
Program Requirements for Communication Minors
  • The Advertising Minor (15 hours of study)
    • COMM 303, 308, 406
    • Two of the following chosen in consultation with the student's advisor: ART 103L, COMM 266, 304, 307, 313, 333, 350, 369, 383, 454, 486
  • The Public Communication Minor (18 hours of study)
    • COMM 312, ENWR 319, PHIL 220
    • Two of the following chosen in consultation with the student's advisor: COMM 369, ENWR 313, ENWR 317, ENWR 333
    • One of the following chosen in consultation with the student's advisor: COMM 302, COMM 454, PHIL 341, PHIL 345, PHIL 348
  • The Public Relations Minor (15 hours of study)
    • COMM 304, 308, 406
    • Two of the following chosen in consultation with the student's advisor: COMM 303, 307, 313, 333, 350, 369, 383, 454, 486