Overview

The Department of Communication offers a bachelor of arts (B.A.) and a bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in communication. The B.A. requires 12 credits and the B.S. requires 6 credits of a non-native language (or the equivalent). Both degrees in communication require the following components:

• Foundational Studies*
• Requirements of the communication major:
  • 51 total credits of communication courses
  • Required core courses
  • One concentration -- choose from Communication and Culture, Journalism, Media Studies, or Public Relations
• Minimum grade of C- in each required communication course
• Minimum overall GPA of 2.0
• Minimum 120 total degree credits

*COMM 202 & 202L Introduction to Public Communication & Introduction to Public Communication Seminar are recommended to satisfy the Foundational Studies communication requirement.

Concentrations

COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE

The Communication and Culture Concentration examines communication practices as modes of action, ways of accomplishing social ends, the craft of communicative activity and performance, and ordinary and spectacular cultural events. Courses in this concentration utilize multiple methods to develop an understanding of the cultural worlds humans occupy. This concentration features ethnographic theory and method as well as critical theory and application. It involves students in participant observation, cross-cultural contexts, and prompts self-reflexity to produce knowledge about how culture is produced/reproduced by human action.

JOURNALISM

The Journalism Concentration explores various skills, laws, ethics, power dynamics, and responsibilities of the news media in modern society. Courses in this concentration focus on the technical skills and theoretical understandings needed to successfully hear, interpret, and share the stories of people whose circumstances may be different but are vital to the changing and diverse world in which we live.

MEDIA STUDIES

The Media Studies Concentration examines the social implications and responsibilities of the media and develops fundamental knowledge of media production theory and skills. Courses in this concentration challenges students to engage in media texts critically, rather than to accept them passively. Coursework in this concentration foregrounds accomplishment in the skill sets necessary for those entering careers in mediated communication. Students learn to be both mindful consumers and responsible creators of mediated texts, which are essential aspects of contemporary life.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

The Public Relations Concentration explores how to help organizations build and maintain good reputations and communicate effectively with employees, the media, community groups, and other constituents important to their success. Courses in this concentration emphasize the use of strategic communication to place messages in the media through media releases, editorial content, and promotion. Students learn more comprehensive and nuanced understandings of organizations, various media, and the construction of effective campaigns.​

HEALTH COMMUNICATION

The Health Communication Concentration examines the production and dissemination of health information and how that information impacts individuals, small groups and communities, organizations, and public policy.  Health Communication draws from the fields of interpersonal, organizational, and media communication, utilizing strategic communication to deliver evidence-based health information to various healthcare audiences.  Courses in this concentration teach how to motivate individuals to be attentive and responsive to health information, as well as how to improve patient outcomes such as compliance, satisfaction, and quality of life through the use of targeted audience-specific texts which are frequently mass-mediated.

Communication Courses

Visit the Undergraduate Catalog to explore all communication courses that are offered during this academic year.