Undergraduate Catalog

Communication Studies: Major

Major in Communication Studies - 40 credits

The major in Communication Studies emphasizes an understanding of communication principles and humanistic approaches to communication studies as well as the development of skills in organizational, relational and strategic contexts. The major provides a foundation for graduate work or for a career in any profession that deals with the public, such as politics, law, business, social work, or teaching. Students majoring in Communication Studies may focus their course work by choosing one of three concentrations: Organizational Communication, Relational Communication, or Strategic Communication.

Required core courses (all concentrations).......15 credits
CMM104 Public Speaking (3)
CMM202 Interpersonal Communication (3)
CMM315 Introduction to Strategic Communication (3)
CMM353 Persuasion & Social Influence (3)
CMM360 Organizational Communication (3)

One of the following concentrations..................25 credits

Concentration in Organizational Communication

Professional communication skills course..........3 credits
CMM302 Business & Professional Communication (3)

Required methods course....................................3 credits
Select one of the following:
CMM352 Qualitative Communication Research Methods (3)
CMM354 Quantitative Communication Research Methods (3)

Concentration electives.........................................9 credits
Select three of the following:
CMM204 Small Group Communication (3)
CMM318 Organizational Reputation & Stakeholder Engagement (3)
CMM334 Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility (3)
CMM362 Leadership & Communication (3)
CMM374 Language & Everyday Conversation (3)
CMM430 Training & Development (3)
CMM450 Negotiation
CMM452 Communication & Gender (3)

Elective courses....................................................6 credits,
including at least 3 upper-division credits

Capstone seminar................................................4 credits
CMM454 Organizational Communication Seminar (4)

Concentration in Relational Communication

Professional communication skills course..........3 credits
CMM302 Business & Professional Communication (3)

Required methods course....................................3 credits
Select one of the following:
CMM352 Qualitative Communication Research Methods (3)
CMM354 Quantitative Communication Research Methods (3)

Concentration electives.........................................9 credits
Select three of the following:
CMM214 Storytelling & Culture (3)
CMM325 Computer-Mediated Communication (3)
CMM355 Nonverbal Communication (3)
CMM359 Communication Among Cultures (3)
CMM374 Language & Everyday Conversation (3)
CMM379 Communication, Culture & Difference (3)
CMM389 Perceptions of Diversity in Communication (3)
CMM452 Communication & Gender (3)

Elective courses....................................................6 credits,
including at least 3 upper-division credits

Capstone seminar................................................4 credits
CMM455 Relational Communication Seminar (4)

Concentration in Strategic Communication

Professional communication skills course..........3 credits
CMM231 Writing for Public Relations (3)

Required methods course....................................3 credits
Select one of the following:
CMM352 Qualitative Communication Research Methods (3)
CMM354 Quantitative Communication Research Methods (3)

Intermediate concentration core........................9 credits
CMM312 Design & Public Relations (3)
CMM316 Strategic Public Relations Campaigns (3)
CMM317 Social Media & Public Relations (3)

Concentration electives.......................................6 credits
Select two of the following:
CMM318 Organizational Reputation & Stakeholder Engagement (3)
CMM324 Crisis, Risk & Disaster Communication (3)
CMM326 Environmental Communication (3)
CMM334 Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility (3)
CMM375 Social Change & Advocacy Communication (3)
CMM451 Political Communication (3)

Capstone seminar.............................................4 credits
CMM456 Seminar in Strategic Communication (4)