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The Communication major is an interdisciplinary program combining courses in Communication, Journalism, and Philosophy. The major is designed to take a broad-based, humanities-centered view of the symbolic ways humans create meaning. The program will focus on the development of skills as students learn to work with various communication tools to improve their own ability to interact effectively with others. Students will also increase their critical awareness as they study the structure, patterns, and effects of communication on both themselves and society. Career options for graduates might include public relations, human resources, advocacy, media entertainment, advertising, or sales.
Students majoring in Communication must complete a minimum of 10 courses (40 credits) in the areas specified below. A grade C or higher must be earned in each course counted toward the major. Communication majors may count courses used for the major toward a minor in Journalism or Philosophy; however, credits may not be counted twice.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
The student must complete a one-course requirement in a language other than English as specified by the Language Requirement for Students with Majors in the School of Arts and Humanities. The complete policy statement is located at the beginning of the Bachelor’s Degree Programs section in this catalog.
INTEGRATIVE STUDIES REQUIREMENTS
44 credits minimum
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
40 credits
The application for formal admission to the Communication major typically occurs during the first or second semester of the sophomore year. To be admitted to the major, the student must have completed IHCOMM 171, COMM 175, and IHPHIL 100. The student must earn a grade of at least a C and achieve an average GPA of at least 2.5 for the three courses. The student must provide a transcript showing his or her grades to a Communication advisor. If the grade requirements are met, the advisor will sign the Declaration of Major form that formally admits the student to the major.
Core Courses
16 credits
- IHCOMM 171 Public Speaking
- COMM 175 Introduction to Communication Studies
- IHPHIL 100 Logical Argumentation
- JRN 100 Introduction to Mass Communication
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Communication Studies Option
24 credits
- Ethics
4 credits
- Select one of the following:
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COMM 320 Ethics in Communication
IHPHIL 220 Ethics
PHIL 322 Media Ethics
- Theory
4 credits
- COMM 376 Theory of Communication and Rhetoric
- Research Methods
4 credits
Research Methods courses require students to study and apply at least one of the following methods: rhetorical criticism, survey research, in-depth interviews, focus group interviews, and textual analysis. Students must choose a Research Methods course that corresponds to the type of senior project they intend to complete.
-
Select one of the following courses:
- COMM 380 Analysis of Organizations
- COMM 473 Rhetorical Criticism
- COMM 490 Advanced Special Topics (appropriate topic)*
- COMM 495 Seminar (appropriate topic)*
- PHIL 313 Philosophy and the Holocaust
- PHIL 400 Philosophical Masters
- PHIL 406 Existentialism and Film
- PHIL 490 Advanced Special Topics (appropriate topic)*
- PHIL 495 Seminar (appropriate topic)*
*Students should receive prior approval for these courses to fulfill the Research Methods requirement.
- Electives
8 credits
-
Select two of the following courses, one from each of two different areas (Communication, Journalism, or Philosophy). At least one course must be at the 400 level.
- COMM 250 Children and the Media
- COMM 275 Interpersonal Communication
- COMM 278 Group Interaction
- COMM 290 Special Topics
- COMM 371 Speech Writing (Advanced Public Speaking)
- COMM 372 Intercultural Communication
- COMM 375 Business and Professional
- COMM 378 Persuasion
- COMM 379 Internship
- COMM 380 Analysis of Organizations
- COMM 473 Rhetorical Criticism
- COMM 474 Corporate/Instructional Video
- COMM 478 Rhetorical Theory
- COMM 490 Advanced Special Topics
- COMM 495 Seminar (appropriate topic)
- COMM 498 Independent Study
- JRN 130 Writing for the Media
- JRN 230 Print Journalism (JRN 130 required)
- JRN 311 Mass Media History and Theory
- PHIL 200 Philosophy & Critical Analysis
- PHIL 211 Sense and Nonsense
- PHIL 231 Comparative Religion
- PHIL 240 Skin, Sex, and Genes
- PHIL 260 Theories of the Body
- PHIL 304 American Philosophy
- PHIL 306 Existentialism and Communication Literature
- PHIL 308 Contemporary Philosophy
- PHIL 313 Philosophy and the Holocaust
- PHIL 350 Aesthetics
- PHIL 360 Philosophy of Law
- PHIL 400 Philosophical Masters
- PHIL 406 Existentialism and Film
- PHIL 490 Advanced Special Topics
- PHIL 495 Seminar
- PHIL 498 Independent Study
- Capstone
4 credits
-
Philosophy Option
24 credits
The Philosophy option provides students with general coverage of basic philosophical issues while developing student skills in critical and analytical thinking and exposing students to a wide range of historical and ethical manifestations of philosophical beliefs.
- Ethics
4 credits
- Select one of the following:
-
COMM 320 Ethics in Communication
IHPHIL 220 Ethics
PHIL 322 Media Ethics
- Theory
4 credits
- Select one of the following:
- PHIL 304 American Philosophy
- PHIL 306 Existentialism and Literature
- PHIL 308 Contemporary Philosophy
- PHIL 350 Aesthetics
- Research Methods
4 credits
Research Methods courses require students to study and apply at least one of the following methods: rhetorical criticism, survey research, in-depth interviews, focus group interviews, textual analysis. Students must choose a Research Methods course which corresponds to the type of senior project they intend to complete.
- Select one of the following:
- COMM 380 Analysis of Organizations
- COMM 473 Rhetorical Criticism
- COMM 490 Advanced Special Topics (appropriate topic)*
- COMM 495 Seminar (appropriate topic)*
- PHIL 313 Philosophy and the Holocaust
- PHIL 400 Philosophical Masters
- PHIL 406 Existentialism and Film
- PHIL 490 Advanced Special Topics (appropriate topic)*
- PHIL 495 Seminar (appropriate topic)*
*Students should receive prior approval for these courses to fulfill the Research Methods requirement.
- Electives
8 credits
-
elect two of the following courses, one from each of two different areas (Communication, Journalism, or Philosophy). At least one course must be at the 400 level.
- COMM 250 Children and the Media
- COMM 275 Interpersonal Communication
- COMM 278 Group Interaction
- COMM 290 Special Topics
- COMM 371 Speech Writing (Advanced Public Speaking)
- COMM 372 Intercultural Communication
- COMM 375 Business and Professional Communication
- COMM 378 Persuasion
- COMM 379 Internship
- COMM 380 Analysis of Organizations
- COMM 473 Rhetorical Criticism
- COMM 474 Corporate/Instructional Video
- COMM 478 Rhetorical Theory
- COMM 490 Advanced Special Topics
- COMM 495 Seminar (appropriate topic)
- COMM 498 Independent Study
- JRN 130 Writing for the Media
- JRN 230 Print Journalism (JRN 130 required)
- JRN 311 Mass Media History and Theory
- PHIL 200 Philosophy & Critical Analysis
- PHIL 211 Sense and Nonsense
- PHIL 231 Comparative Religion
- PHIL 240 Skin, Sex, and Genes
- PHIL 260 Theories of the Body
- PHIL 304 American Philosophy
- PHIL 306 Existentialism and Literature
- PHIL 308 Contemporary Philosophy
- PHIL 313 Philosophy and the Holocaust
- PHIL 350 Aesthetics
- PHIL 360 Philosophy of Law
- PHIL 400 Philosophical Masters
- PHIL 406 Existentialism and Film
- PHIL 490 Advanced Special Topics
- PHIL 495 Seminar
- PHIL 498 Independent Study
- Capstone
4 credits
ELECTIVES
Select courses to reach a total of 120 credits for the degree
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
120 credits
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