Communication Studies Major Requirements
44 semester hours minimum
1. Complete all of the following:
COMM 160 Fundamentals of Human Communication (3)
COMM 180 Introduction to Communication Theory (3)
COMM 262P Interpersonal Communication (3) or COMM 268 Intercultural Communication (3)
COMM 270 Public Speaking (3)
COMM 280P Communication Research and Writing (3)
2. Complete at least 2 s.h. of credit (but no more than 6 s.h.) from the following:
COMM 292I Practicum in Communication Services (Arr)
COMM 294I Practicum in Broadcasting (Arr)
COMM 295I Practicum in Journalism (Arr)
COMM 296I Practicum in Video Production (Arr)
3. Complete at least 27 s.h. of COMM electives with a minimum of 12 s.h. at the 300-level, including at least one course from each of the following groups:
Group I: Mediated Communication
COMM 330P Media Criticism (3)
COMM 332P Advanced Journalism (3)
Group II: Business and Professional Communication
COMM 340P Public Relations (4)
COMM 342P Organizational Communication (3)
Group III: Applied Communication
COMM 360P Communication Ethics (3)
COMM 385P Technology and Human Communication (3)
Group IV: Public Communication
COMM 362P Environmental Communication (3)
COMM 366P Persuasion (3)
4. Compile an e-portfolio comprised of academic and related work
Communication Studies majors are required to create and maintain an assessment e-portfolio on Blackboard. The assessment e-portfolio provides the Communication Studies faculty with a representative sample of student work for the purpose of determining progress toward fulfilling the Central College Communication Skills requirement. Ultimately, the contents of this assessment e-portfolio constitute the foundation upon which a professional e-portfolio may be constructed during a student’s senior year for the purpose of seeking employment or gaining entry into graduate school. The portfolio is begun the semester a student officially declares a major in Communication Studies and assembled in consultation with her or his academic advisor. Communication Studies majors are required to demonstrate progress in skills reflected in their assessment e-portfolio as a precondition of academic advising and registration for courses each semester. Departmental approval of the assessment e-portfolio is a prerequisite for graduation.
5. Complete all requirements for the communication skills endorsement
Competency in oral communication is demonstrated through the completion of COMM 270 Public Speaking with a minimum grade of “C” for the course. Communication Studies majors attaining less than this level of proficiency must retake the course until achieving a satisfactory level of performance.
Competency in written communication is assessed by the evaluation of materials contained in a student's portfolio and the completion of COMM 280P Communication Research and Writing with a minimum grade of “C” for the course. A grade of less than “C” on the diagnostic writing assignment at the beginning of COMM 280P Communication Research and Writing requires contracting with the Center for Academic Excellence for remediation of writing skills.
Typical sequence of major courses for the communication studies major
Freshman year
COMM 160 Fundamentals of Human Communication
COMM 180 Introduction to Communication Theory
COMM electives at the 100--200 level
Sophomore year
COMM 292I-296I Practicum
COMM 270 Public Speaking
COMM 280P Communication Research and Writing
COMM electives at the 200 level
Junior year
COMM 292I-296I Practicum
COMM electives at the 300 level
Study Abroad
Senior year
COMM electives at the 300 level
COMM 497P Internship in Communication
Study Abroad
Communication Studies Minor Requirements
21 semester hours minimum
1. Complete all of the following:
COMM 180 Introduction to Communication Theory (3)
COMM 262P Interpersonal Communication (3) or COMM 268 Intercultural Communication (3)
COMM 270 Public Speaking (3)
2. Complete at least 12 s.h. of COMM electives with a minimum of 6 s.h. at the 300-level Note: No more than 2 s.h. may be from the following: COMM 292I, COMM 294I, COMM 295I, COMM 296I