Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Communication


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OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120

Minimum number of credits required to complete the major: 30

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0.

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: A grade of C- or better is required for all other CMJ courses to fulfill a major requirement.

Other GPA requirements to graduate: A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (“C”) in the major.

Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience:  CMJ 485

Residency Requirement: 24 credits of CMJ coursework at the University of Maine.

Contact Information: Nathan Stormer, Chair, 430 Dunn Hall, 581-1938


The Department of Communication and Journalism offers three different B.A. degrees. These degrees are in: Communication, Journalism, and Media Studies.

The B.A. in Communication studies how humans use communication to produce cultures, institutions, and even our sense of self. The study of communication asks how we do this, how our basic ability to communicate allows us to build connections between individuals, and within cultures and organizations. Students pursue such questions as these: How do we use the power of language within personal relationships? How do the stories we tell provide meaning and significance to the identities we fashion for ourselves, or cultures? What communication practices do we engage in to maintain and build organizations? What rhetorical strategies do we employ to shape society and how we live together? How do technologies extend and alter our abilities and practices? By engaging these questions students understand and critically evaluate human communication in their lives and in their careers.

Majors in Communication must complete a minimum of thirty (30) credits of specific CMJ courses and additional coursework external to the major.

The external coursework must include at least 9 credits in the areas of Writing and Language.

The 9 credits of coursework in the areas of Writing and Language must include at least 3 credits in each of the two areas (6 credits from one area; 3 credits from the other).  The Writing area includes the following courses: ENG 201, ENG 205,  ENG 206, ENG 301, ENG 315, ENG 317, ENG 415.   CMJ 136 can also be used to meet part of this requirement for Communication majors.  The Language area includes: French, German, Spanish, American Sign Language or other non-English languages.  

The requirements listed on this page are specific to this particular major. Students are also responsible for meeting any graduation requirements set out by their college. Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) should make sure to review those requirements as stated on the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences  page of the catalog.

Requirements for Communication Majors


For students transferring equivalent courses from other colleges, the faculty will determine equivalency (if any) of transfer courses in the discipline. Some CMJ courses require the completion of one or more prerequisite courses.

A grade of “C-” or better is required in all CMJ courses submitted to satisfy departmental requirements for the major.

Core Course Requirements - 3 courses (9 credits)


Major Course Requirements: 7 courses (21 credits)


Choose from the following list of CMJ courses.  No more than 1 of CMJ 102/103/106/107; and at least 4 courses (12 credits) at 400 level or above.

Additional credits:


Students MAY take additional credits in department courses beyond the 30 required for the major, but must take at least 60 credit hours outside of CMJ courses.

Suggested curriculum for the B.A. in Communication


First Year - First Semester


First Year - Second Semester


  • Credits: 3
  • General Education Human Values/Social Context Credits: 9
  • General Education Science or Mathematics/Statistics Credits: 3

Second Year - First Semester


Second Year - Second Semester


  • CMJ 2xx or 3xx Requirement Credits: 3
  • CMJ External Requirement Credits: 3
  • B.A. Upper Level Requirement Credits: 3
  • **Elective Credits: 6

Third Year - First Semester


  • CMJ 2xx or 3xx Requirement Credits: 3
  • CMJ External Requirement Credits: 3
  • General Education Ethics Credits: 3
  • B.A. Upper Level Requirement Credits: 3
  • **Elective Credits: 3

Third Year - Second Semester


  • CMJ 4xx requirement Credits: 3
  • General Education Science or Mathematics/Statistics Credits:3
  • CMJ External Requirement Credits: 3
  • B.A. Upper Level Requirement Credits: 3
  • **Elective Credits: 3

Fourth Year - First Semester


  • CMJ 4xx Requirement Credits: 6
  • CMJ External Requirement Credits: 9

Fourth Year - Second Semester


**Elective Credits


Elective Credits may be used to meet remaining General Education, college, B.A., or department requirements.

Students may also take additional credits in department courses beyond the 30 required for the major, but must take at least 60 credit hours outside of CMJ courses.

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