Communication

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The department of Communication and Journalism offers three different BA degrees. These degrees are in: Communication, Mass Communication and Journalism. The department also offers minors in Communication and in Public Relations. Humans possess a “mighty genius of construction” (Nietzsche) for using 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 weave a powerful web between and within individuals, 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 in conversation 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 spin new social webs or tear down old ones? 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 six (36) credits in Communication courses and a total of nine credits in the areas of Statistics and Computer Science, Writing, or Language and Critical Thinking (list of acceptable courses available in 420 Dunn). The nine credits must come from two of the three areas with at least three credits in each of the two as are elected. Students taking department courses to satisfy requirements within the Communication major must have a C- or better in each course.

Requirements for Communication Majors

1. Each of the following core courses is required (9 credits)

CMJ 201 - Communication Studies I Credits: 3
CMJ 202 - Communication Studies II Credits: 3
CMJ 401 - Speech, Space, Event: Critical Applications Credits: 3
or
CMJ 402 - Communication Research Credits: 3

2. At least 27 credits from the following courses, 12 credits of which must be at the 400 level:

CMJ 102 - Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3
or
CMJ 103 - Fundamentals of Public Communication Credits: 3
or
CMJ 106 - Oral Communication of Literature Credits: 3
CMJ 257 - Business and Professional Communication Credits: 3
CMJ 324 - Interpersonal Communication in Everyday Life Credits: 3
CMJ 345 - Small Group Communication Credits: 3
CMJ 347 - Argument and Critical Thinking Credits: 3
CMJ 360 - Nonverbal Communication Credits: 3
CMJ 366 - Speech Play and Performance Credits: 3
CMJ 367 - Public Relations Credits: 3
CMJ 401 - Speech, Space, Event: Critical Applications Credits: 3
or
CMJ 402 - Communication Research Credits: 3
(if not used to meet a core requirement)
CMJ 403 - Persuasion and Social Influence Credits: 3
CMJ 405 - Women and Communication Credits: 3
CMJ 410 - Social Influence of Mass Communication Credits: 3
CMJ 420 - Health Communication Credits: 3
CMJ 444 - Political Rhetoric Credits: 3
CMJ 450 - Communication and Technology Credits: 3
CMJ 466 - Narrative and Communication Credits: 3
CMJ 470 - Communication in Organizations Credits: 3
CMJ 493 - Topics in Communication Credits: 1-3

Electives

Students MAY take additional credits in department courses beyond the requirements for a major. In addition to the courses listed above, students may select:

CMJ 492 - Directed Independent Study Credits: 1-3
CMJ 495 - Internship Credits: 1-3

Suggested curriculum for the B.A. in Communication

First Year - First Semester

CMJ 102 - Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3
or
CMJ 103 - Fundamentals of Public Communication Credits: 3
or
CMJ 106 - Oral Communication of Literature Credits: 3
ENG 101 - College Composition Credits: 3
General Education Human Values/Social Context. Credits: 6

General Education Science or Mathematics/Statistics. Credits: 3

First Year - Second Semester

CMJ 201 - Communication Studies I Credits: 3
General Education: Human Values/Social Context Credits: 9
General Education: Science or Mathematics/Statistics Credits: 3

Second Year - First Semester

CMJ 202 - Communication Studies II Credits: 3
General Education Science or Mathematics/Statistics Credits: 3
Electives Credits: 9

Second Year - Second Semester

CMJ 2xx or 3xx requirement Credits: 3

CMJ 3xx requirement Credits: 3

CMJ External Requirement Credits: 3

B.A. Upper Level Requirement Credits: 3

Elective Credits: 3

Third Year - First Semester

CMJ 3xx requirement Credits: 3

CMJ 3xx or 4xx requirement Credits: 3

CMJ External Requirement Credits: 3

General Education Ethics Credits: 3

B.A. Upper Level Requirement Credits: 3

Third Year - Second Semester

CMJ 4xx requirement Credits: 3

CMJ 3xx or 4xx requirement Credits: 3

CMJ External Requirement Credits: 3

B.A. Upper Level Requirement Credits: 3

Elective Credits: 3

Fourth Year - First Semester

CMJ 401 - Speech, Space, Event: Critical Applications Credits: 3
or
CMJ 402 - Communication Research Credits: 3
CMJ 4xx requirement Credits: 3
Electives Credits: 9

Fourth Year - Second Semester

CMJ 4xx requirement Credits: 3

Electives Credits: 9