B.A. in Communication
The communication major is a liberal arts-based and interdisciplinary major. Designed to empower students through the development of critical thinking and effective communication, students will focus on understanding the complex communication challenges in the 21st century and effectively communicating across a variety of mediums.
The strong and varied curriculum enhances and develops multi-dimensional communication skills including speaking, writing, and multimedia content. Theory and practice come to life in an individualized and challenging learning environment.
Degree Requirements
The curriculum includes a core of courses blending theory and history with practice and content development. The communication core includes courses in public speaking, multimedia and video storytelling, news writing, strategic communications and advertising, and communication history and law.
Students choose additional courses within one of three specialization areas:
- Multimedia Content and Development
- Strategic Communication and Marketing
- Strategic Social Media
Experience gained through participation in student media, communication student organizations, and internships provide an essential component to the curriculum.
Communication Core
COMM 101 |
Introduction to Mass Communication and Society |
COMM 201SI or |
Introduction to public speaking |
mgt 308ws3 |
business communication |
COMM 207WI |
ONLINE NEWSWRITING |
COMM 209 |
hISTORY OF cOMMUNICATION AND THEORY |
COMM 215 |
iNTRODUCTION TO pUBLIC rELATIONS AND aDVERTISING |
COMM 217 |
mOBILe AND SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEO |
MKG 301 |
PRINCIPLES OF MARKETING |
COMM 325 |
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGY |
COMM 332WI |
SOCIAL MEDIA: WRITING |
COMM 401 |
COMMUNICATING TO DIVERSE PUBLICS |
COMM 455 |
COMMUNICATION LAW AND ETHICS |
COMM 390 3-6 OR |
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION INTERNSHIP |
COMM 490 3-6 |
COMMUNICATION INTERNSHIP |
36 |
Total credit hours |
Communication majors must also complete the University core, or general education curriculum appropriate to the degree they seek. Academic Advising offers a downloadable degree plan that outlines the specific courses required for the B.A. in Communication.
Required Area of Specialization: Students must complete at least one of the following specializations listed below.
Multimedia Content Development: Sudents must complete at least nine credits from the following course options:
MART 201 |
DIGITAL ART |
ART 205 or |
INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY |
ART 206 |
INTRODUCTION TO FILM PHOTOGRAPHY |
COMM 395 1-3 |
COMMUNICATION PRACTICUM |
COMM 397 1-3 |
COMMUNICATIONS LEADERSHIP PRACTICUM |
COMM 417 |
ADVANCED MOBILE AND SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEO |
COMM 452 |
SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION |
9 |
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS |
Strategic Communication and Marketing: Students must complete at least nine credits from the following course options:
COMM 302SI or | PERSUASIVE SPEAKING |
ENGL 302WI | WRITING: EXPOSITION/ARGUMENTATION |
COMM 3951-3 | COMMUNICATION PRACTICUM |
COMM 397 1-3 | COMMUNICATIONS LEADERSHIP PRACTICUM |
COMM 416 3 | SOCIAL MEDIA: CASE STUDIES |
COMM 452 3 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION |
XXX-XXX | ANY ONE COURSE SELECTED FROM UPPER-LEVEL MKG COURSES BEYOND DSIM-307 OR MKG-301 |
9 | TOTAL CREDIT HOURS |
Strategic Social Media: Students must complete at least nine credits from the following options:
COMM 395 1-3 | COMMUNICATION PRACTICUM |
COMM 397 1-3 | COMMUNICATIONS LEADERSHIP PRACTICUM |
COMM 416 | SOCIAL MEDIA: CASE STUDIES |
COMM 417 | ADVANCED MOBILE AND SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEO |
COMM 452 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION |
9 | TOTAL CREDIT HOURS |