In studying communication, students learn to express themselves, to develop critical thinking skills and to explore ethical issues. Students become articulate and intentional communicators, respecting the power of the spoken and written word. Communication Studies is a strong stand-alone major, and is also common as a double-major or minor. The skills learned when studying communication are some of those most sought after by employers. Careers available to the Communication Studies major include diverse professions such as public relations, event planning, graduate school, teaching, sales, or law, just to name a few.

Major in Communication Studies

A minimum of 39 semester hours, including:
COM101 Interpersonal Communication
COM102 Public Speaking
COM240 Rhetoric of Western Thought
COM250 Small Group Communication
COM260 Debating Contemporary Issues
COM306 Organizational Communication
COM310 Communication Theory
COM355 Mass Media
COM402 Interviewing
COM490 Seminar in Communication

Choose one rhetoric course at the 300 or 400 level

and two out of the following four: COM308, ENG325, ENG365, or any three credit COM special topics course at the 300 or 400 level. A maximum of three semester hours of internship may be applied toward the major.

Minor in Communication Studies

A minimum of 24 semester hours, including
COM101 Interpersonal Communication
COM102 Public Speaking
COM250 Small Group Communication
COM260 Debating Contemporary Issues
COM306 Organizational Communication
COM310 Communication Theory
COM402 Interviewing

Choose one course from the following:
COM308 Intercultural Communication
COM355 Mass Media
OR
Another 300- or 400-level course, chosen in consultation with a faculty member in Communication Studies, in Theatre, English, or Communication Studies. A maximum of three semester hours of internship may be applied toward the minor.

COM101 - Interpersonal Communication

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
This course examines how intimate, personal, and professional relationships are created and maintained. Students develop an increased awareness of and sensitivity to communication that facilitates interpersonal relationships as well as communication that creates obstacles to building relationships. Topics discussed include perception, self-concept, listening, and conflict.

COM102 - Public Speaking

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 3
This course examines key aspects of writing and delivering public speeches. Focal topics include audience analysis, speech organization, developing supporting materials, argumentation, and delivery. By the end of the course, students will have written and delivered informative, persuasive, and ceremonial speeches.

COM240 - Rhetoric of Western Thought

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
This course investigates the evolution of rhetorical theories from ancient Greece to contemporary models of communication. It focuses on the application of theories to communication events in order to explicate how communication shapes culture.
Prerequisite: COM 102

COM247 - Communication Projects

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 1
Students pursue special research in communication studies.
Prerequisite: Permission of professor

COM250 - Small Group Communication

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
This course explores how and why people come together in groups, how groups develop norms for acceptable behavior, and how individuals can help groups work efficiently and effectively. Because employers seek competent communicators, this course is designed to provide students an opportunity to develop communication skills that can be applied in both personal and professional contexts.

COM257 - Intercollegiate Forensics

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 1
This course is designed for students to prepare and engage in intercollegiate debate competition. A focus on British Parliamentary debate provides national and international opportunities for debate competition. Pass/no pass grading.

COM260 - Debating Contemporary Issues

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
This course explores persuasion, reasoning and argumentation by analyzing current controversies in local, national and international politics. Students prepare their own arguments and analyze arguments in media. Students develop effective persuasive speaking and refutation skills by debating one another in class.
Prerequisite: COM 102

COM306 - Organizational Communication

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
This course examines how communication occurs in large cooperative networks, especially in professional work settings. It focuses on the roles leadership, management, and conflict resolution play in larger organizations. By the end of the course, students will understand how the values and cultures of any organization emerge through communication.
Prerequisite: COM 102 or permission of instructor

COM308 - Intercultural Communication

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
As global communication and transnational movement facilitate increased cross-cultural contact, there is a need to develop an understanding of intercultural communication. To this end, this course examines the ways in which culture influences communication--and communication influences culture. Verbal and nonverbal communication will be analyzed as it conveys messages about identity, beliefs and values. Conflict is discussed as a product of cultural orientations and interpretations. By the end of this course, students will understand communication as a vital aspect of intercultural contact.
Prerequisite: COM 102 or permission of instructor

COM310 - Communication Theory

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
This course introduces students to the basic theories in all branches of communication studies. It explains how and why people construct meaning, how theories explain fact patterns, and what constitutes an appropriate test of a theory. By the end of the course, students will understand the integrative framework for each theory and a consciousness concerning the ethical implications therein.
Prerequisite: COM 102 or permission of instructor

COM355 - Mass Media

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
This course explores the social and cultural roles of media--from local newspapers to the global reach of the World Wide Web. By the end of this course, students will be able to understand and articulate the social, cultural, and economic power of media in order to better manage its influence in their lives.
Prerequisite: COM 102 or permission of instructor

COM402 - Interviewing

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
This course prepares students to be excellent interviewers and interviewees in employment, informational, survey, and performance appraisal interviewing. Students also learn resume writing and how to write recommendations, as well as how to create and sustain supportive networks in the work-world. By the end of the course, student will be familiar with both the theoretical and practical applications of interviewing.
Prerequisite: COM 102 or permission of instructor

COM404 - Rhetoric of Protest and Dissent

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
This course examines why and how protest occurs, the challenges protesters face rhetorically, and the available options from which protesters can choose. Students will emerge with an appreciation of how difficult protest is and how important it is for a vital society.
Prerequisite: COM 240 and junior or senior standing

COM447 - Communication Projects

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 1
Students pursue special research in communication studies.
Prerequisite: Permission of professor

COM450 - Internship

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 1-12
This course is a guided work experience in an established institution such as a non-profit or for-profit organization or a governmental institution. The student must arrange the internship in agreement with the instructor and with the office of career services, and the internship must be a learning experience that is connected with the professional communication degree. A contract is required. A maximum of three semester hours can be counted toward the major in communication.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing

COM457 - Intercollegiate Forensics

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 1
This course is designed for students to prepare and engage in intercollegiate debate competition. A focus on British Parliamentary debate provides national and international opportunities for debate competition. Pass/no pass grading.

COM490 - Seminar in Communication

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
Through writing and speaking, students in this capstone course explore why and how people create communities and what kind of communities they create. Each seminar will focus upon a special theme, such as the implications of free speech, postmodern organizational ethics, or international political communication.
Prerequisite: Senior standing

COM499 - Independent Study

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 1-3
This course allows a superior student to devise and pursue independent study in an area agreed upon in consultation with, and supervised by, a faculty member. Students should be either a major or minor and have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing