Oct 06, 2024

2024-2025 UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG

Communication - Communication Studies Concentration (B.A.)

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The program goals for a B.A. in Communication are linked to five key areas:

Performance: Students will demonstrate competence in producing messages in various media for different purposes, audiences, and contexts.

Analysis and Critical Thinking: Students will analyze, interpret and evaluate messages across various forms and contexts.

Knowledge: Students will understand and apply communication and media theories and methods as appropriate to their concentration.

Ethics and Diversity: Students will articulate ethical principles and apply them in diverse communication contexts. Students will recognize and appreciate individual and cultural similarities and differences.

Mediated Communication: Students will understand the impact of media forms on communication processes.

Social Engagement: Students will understand and implement communication in their personal and public lives to respond to local, national, and global issues.

University General Education Program (41 hours)

See Graduation from the University for the University General Education Program requirements.

College and Degree (B.A.) Requirements (6-9 hours)

The College and Bachelor of Arts requirements are in addition to the University General Education Program requirements that are listed above.

The Major (33-39 hours)

Major Core (6 hours)

All students must take

COMM 2100 - Communication Inquiry ** Credit Hours: (3)
COMM 2381 - Oral Communication Credit Hours: (3) (included in the University General Education Program)

Note

A 2.0 cumulative GPA and a grade no lower than a C- is required for all courses completed in the major. In addition, all students must fulfill the requirements for one of the following concentrations:

Communication Studies (33 hours):

COMM 2101 - Media Literacy Credit Hours: (3)
COMM 3330 - Applied Communication Research Methods ** Credit Hours: 3
OR
COMM 3331 - Rhetorical and Media Criticism** Credit Hours: 3
COMM 4381 - Senior Capstone ** Credit Hours: (3)

Plus Two Courses From Each of the Following Areas:

Plus 6 Additional Upper Division Hours of Comm Electives

Electives (12 - 20 hours)

Completion of courses to bring the total to 120 semester hours.

Honors Program

To be eligible for admission to the Communication Honors program a student must meet the following requirements: (1) declare a major in Communication, (2) have completed 12 hours of Communication coursework, (3) have Department of Communication faculty member as an adviser, and (4) make an honors application to the adviser. Applications may be obtained from the director of the honors program or from the department office.

To be awarded departmental honors at graduation with the designation “With Honors in Communication,” a student must fulfill the following requirements: (1) maintain a 3.5 GPA in communication coursework, (2) maintain a 3.5 GPA overall, (3) complete all Department of Communication major requirements, (4) complete an independent thesis or an independent film/video project sponsored by a Department of Communication faculty member consisting of six hours over two semesters: three hours in research preparation (COMM 3330 , COMM 4381 , or COMM 4891 ), and three hours in completing the thesis project (COMM 4999 ), and (5) successful defense of the thesis.

Typical 4-Year Communication Studies Concentration Sequence

Freshman Year

COMM 2100 - Communication Inquiry ** Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 1010 - English Composition** Credit Hours: (3)
Math* (3-4)
Foreign Language/B.A. (or elective)** (3)
Social/Behavioral Science (3)*
COMM 2101 - Media Literacy Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 1020 - English Comp/Analysis** Credit Hours: (3)
Humanities/Fine Arts* (3)
Foreign Language/B.A. (or elective)** (3)
Social/Behavioral Science (3)*

Semester Totals 30-31 hrs

Sophomore Year

COMM 2381 - Oral Communication Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 2201 - Literary Heritage ** Credit Hours: (3) or ENGL 2202 - Lit Heritage: African-American **
Foreign Language/B.A. (3)
Natural Science (4)*
History* (3)
Rhetoric Course 1 (3) Credits / Units: 3
COMM 1851 - Introduction to Film** Credit Hours: (3)
Foreign Language/B.A. (3)
Natural Science (4)*
History* (3)

Semester Totals 32 hrs

Junior Year

Applied Comm Course 1 (3)
Media Course 1 1 (3)
UD COMM elective (3)
UD elective (3)
Elective (3)
COMM 3330 - Applied Communication Research Methods ** Credit Hours: 3
OR
COMM 3331 - Rhetorical and Media Criticism** Credit Hours: 3
Rhetoric Course 2 (3)
UD Elective (3)
UD Elective (3)
Elective (3)

Semester Totals 30 hrs

Senior Year

Applied Comm Course 2 (3) Credits / Units: 3
UD COMM Elective (3) Credits / Units: 3
UD Elective (3)
UD Elective (3) Credits / Units: 3
Elective (3) Credits / Units: 3
Elective (1) Credits / Units: 1
COMM 4381 - Senior Capstone ** Credit Hours: (3)
Media Course 2 (3) Credits / Units: 3
Elective (3)
Elective (3)

Semester Totals 28 hrs

Total Hours: 120-121

Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120

* Must satisfy University General Education Program Requirement