Communication Studies Major
The BA in Communication Studies is a major in the College of Arts and Sciences for students interested in specializing in digital media studies as an area of expertise. The major helps students develop advanced skills in communications with an emphasis on digital media studies, including multimedia writing, video editing and production, web content strategy and design, and writing for social media platforms.
Communication Studies students acquire a solid grounding in the study of digital communications while exploring current ideas and tools that are shaping the knowledge society. A hallmark of the Communication Studies curriculum is the emphasis on both theory and practice. Not only do students study what is happening at the forefront of emerging communication technologies, they also participate. Students have access to cutting-edge resources as they make and reflect upon media and in the process acquire important skills in teamwork, innovation, design, and entrepreneurship. The major prepares students for careers in digital media including web content strategy and design, social media/community management, and multimedia journalism.
The Department of Communication Studies is committed to excellence in teaching and learning. Faculty are dedicated to the art of thinking across media, platforms, and theories in order to create an innovative and socially responsible curriculum that goes beyond the classroom. Communication Studies students gain hands-on experience by working closely with faculty on a variety of activities.
Goal 1: Students will develop a critical awareness of the impact of media on society.
Outcome 1.1: Students will be able to communicate a critical analysis of the impact of media on society.
Goal 2: Students will understand and apply design theories and approaches to communicative situations.
Outcome 2.1: Students will be able to create media stories and/or artifacts using contemporary design approaches.
Outcome 2.2: Students will be able to conceive, plan, and produce a portfolio of media-related projects individually and through collaboration with others.
Goal 3: Students will develop an understanding communication-related social issues, ethics, and inclusivity.
Outcome 3.1: Students will be able to analyze the relation between media and social responsibility within assignments.
Outcome 3.2: Students will be able to apply elements of social responsibility, ethics, and inclusivity in projects.
The traditional undergraduate programs includes a minimum of 120 credits distributed across three components: A General Education component divided into Signature Courses, Variable Courses, and an Integrative Learning requirement; a Major and Divisional component; and Free Electives. In addition to course requirements as specified in each area, students must complete one certified course in each of the following overlay areas1:
- Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
- Ethics Intensive
- Writing Intensive, and
- Diversity
- 1
Overlay requirements are part of the 120 credit requirements
General Education Signature Courses
See this page about Signature courses.
General Education Variable Courses
See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses
General Education Overlays
General Education Integrative Learning Component
See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Communication majors must also take three courses in the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) as part of the Integrated Learning Component (ILC) of the GEP. These courses must be outside of the major department. To fulfill the ILC requirement, students should choose three (3) courses from the following: | 9 | |
| Art of Africa/African Diaspora | ||
| History of Global Architecture | ||
| East Asian Art & Architecture | ||
| Latin American Art & Architect | ||
| Women, Gender, and Art | ||
| Modern Art & Architecture | ||
| Contemporary Art & Architect | ||
| Digital Photography I | ||
| Image Manipulation: Photoshop | ||
| Photography & Climate Crisis | ||
| Photography: Truth & Privilege | ||
| Commercial Photography | ||
| Adv. Comm. Studio Photography | ||
| History of Photography | ||
| Economics of Labor | ||
| Economic Development | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Econ of Poverty & Income Dist | ||
| News Reporting | ||
| Fact-checking and Fake News | ||
| The Art of The Interview | ||
| Feature Writing | ||
| Photojournalism | ||
| Sports Journalism | ||
| Stunt Journalism | ||
| Health, Advocacy, Storytelling | ||
| Narrative Medicine | ||
| Magazine Writing | ||
| Food Writing | ||
| Travel Writing | ||
| Media, Politics & the Election | ||
| Communication and the Law | ||
| Media/Culture in South Africa | ||
| The Art of Editing | ||
| Making our Voices Heard | ||
| Fundamentals of Graphic Design | ||
| Women in America | ||
| American Environmental History | ||
| Popular Culture in the US | ||
| Italian Society and the Media | ||
| Language and Communication | ||
| Social Media Discourse | ||
| History of Television | ||
| Black American Cinema | ||
| Screenwriting | ||
| Digital Filmmaking | ||
| Short Film Production | ||
| Introduction to Film | ||
| History of Narrative Film | ||
| American Film | ||
| European Cinemas | ||
| Five Films | ||
| Non-Western World Cinemas | ||
| Freedom, Citizenship, Culture | ||
| Philosophy of Race | ||
| Ethics and Criminal Justice | ||
| Politics, Ideology, & Film | ||
| Public Opinion & Media | ||
| Latin American Politics | ||
| Ethnic & Minority Relations | ||
| Theories of Crime | ||
| Juvenile Justice | ||
| Sociology of Gender | ||
| Media & Popular Culture | ||
| Race and Social Justice | ||
| Urban Sociology | ||
| Classes and Power in US | ||
| Race, Crime & CJ | ||
| Inside-Out | ||
| Cur Evnts in the Sp-Lang Media | ||
| Intro to Latin Amer Cultures | ||
| Latin American Cinema | ||
| Culture and Dictatorship | ||
| History on the Big Screen | ||
| Comics and Graphic Novels | ||
| Narrative & Film of Dem Spain | ||
| Christianity and Media | ||
| Technology Ethics | ||
Major Requirements
All Communication majors will be assigned a departmental advisor with whom they will consult during the course of their studies and who will help them select a series of course appropriate for both their interests and future careers.
All students complete the seven Core courses and select the remaining five courses from the list of Option Courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| COM 200 | Communication Theory/Practice | 3 |
| COM 201 | Media and Society | 3 |
| COM 202 | Visual Design I | 3 |
| COM 203 | Audio/Video I | 3 |
| COM 371 | Media Advocacy | 3 |
| COM 372 | Intro to Web Design | 3 |
| COM 480 | Senior Capstone | 3 |
| Option Courses | ||
| Select five of the following: | 15 | |
| Black Popular Culture | ||
| Black Adaptation | ||
| Global Digital Media | ||
| Advanced Web Design | ||
| Media and Community Engagement | ||
| Non-Profit Communications | ||
| Equity by Design | ||
| Mindful Communication | ||
| Privacy/Surv in the Dig Era | ||
| Podcasting | ||
| Visual Design II | ||
| Music Protest & Social Justice | ||
| Black Women Content Creators | ||
| Health Communication Advocacy | ||
| Bear Witness:Images/Soc Change | ||
| Special Topics/ Com&Digi Media 1 | ||
| Crime, Justice, & Media | ||
| Communications Internship 2 | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 1
COM 473 may be repeated provided the topics are different.
- 2
Com 491 may be taken a second time but credits will count as a general elective.
Internship
Students who have completed both 200 and 201 and have at least junior standing are eligible to take the Internship course as one of their option courses. In order to take the Communications Internship students must be a Communications major and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Independent Study
Communication Studies students with junior or senior standing and an overall GPA of 3.0 may apply for credit in an independent study program. These courses usually cover a topic not typically offered as part of the standard selection of courses, but which will enhance the student's educational objectives. At the end of the semester preceding the semester in which an independent study is sought the interested students should submit a written proposal describing, with particulars, the planned study project. The minimum requirement for such a proposal is that it include a substantial critical and/or creative project, and the name of the appropriate faculty member.