Communication Studies
Administered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The Communication Studies Major
The communication studies major prepares students for careers in business and industry and graduate education. Students majoring in ComSt will find their career opportunities enhanced in professions requiring applied communication expertise, e.g., human resource management, personnel, public relations, training and development, event planning, sales, management, organizational development, business communication, law, and international and intercultural relations.
ComSt majors master a focused course of inquiry into the contemporary study of human communication. The ComSt major provides this focus through emphasis in applied communication theory and research in interpersonal, small group, organizational, and intercultural communication.
ComSt majors must earn at least 120.5 credits, with 45 credits at the 300-400 levels, and a minimum of 33 credits in ComSt.
Communication Proficiency Requirement:
To meet the University’s Communication Proficiency requirement students are required to take:
| ENGL 150 | Critical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 250 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition | 3 |
| or ENGL 250H | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition, Honors | |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| Business Communication | ||
| Report and Proposal Writing | ||
| Technical Communication | ||
| Business and Technical Editing | ||
An average of C- is required in ENGL 150 Critical Thinking and Communication, ENGL 250 Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition (or ENGL 250H Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition, Honors), and this additional writing course.
The Communication Studies Major
Core Requirements (15 credits)
| COMST 101 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 |
| COMST 102 | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMST 203 | Introduction to Communication Research Methods | 3 |
| COMST 301 | Human Communication Theory | 3 |
| Plus one of the following: | 3 | |
| Professional Communication | ||
| Conflict Management | ||
| SP CM 212 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Upper Division Requirements
(Select five courses/15 credits)
| COMST 310 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMST 311 | Relational Communication | 3 |
| COMST 314 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| COMST 317 | Small Group Communication | 3 |
| COMST 319 | Communication Training and Development | 3 |
| COMST 325 | Nonverbal Communication | 3 |
| COMST 330 | Computer Mediated Communication | 3 |
| COMST 305 | Language, Thought and Action | 3 |
| or COMST 323 | Gender and Communication | |
| Capstone Course Requirement | 3 | |
| COMST 404 | Research Seminar | 3 |
Enhancement Requirement (4 credits)
4 Computer Applications, COM S 103 Computer Applications
Recommended: STAT 101 Principles of Statistics or equivalent
The Communication Studies Minor
(18 credits)
The requirements for a minor in ComSt may be fulfilled by credit in:
| COMST 101 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 |
| COMST 102 | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMST 203 | Introduction to Communication Research Methods | 3 |
| COMST 301 | Human Communication Theory | 3 |
| Plus six credits in 300-level ComSt courses. | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Credits in COMST 305 Language, Thought and Action or COMST 323 Gender and Communication may not be applied toward the minor. Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses taken for the minor.
Courses primarily for undergraduate students
COMST 101. Introduction to Communication Studies.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
An introduction to communication theory, the development and functions of communication, and a survey of interpersonal, small group, organizational, and intercultural communication.
COMST 102. Introduction to Interpersonal Communication.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Application of communication principles, theory, and research to the process of interpersonal communication; includes verbal, nonverbal, listening, conflict management, and communication skills most relevant to a broad range of interpersonal settings.
COMST 203. Introduction to Communication Research Methods.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
An introduction to analyzing and conducting communication research. Provides an overview of quantitative and qualitative approaches to communication research.
COMST 214. Professional Communication.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Communication theory and skill development in organizational settings. Emphasis on: interpersonal skill development, team and meeting facilitation, informational interviewing, and team presentations and self-assessment.
COMST 218. Conflict Management.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Exploration of communication theories, principles and methods associated with effective conflict management.
COMST 301. Human Communication Theory.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: 101
Examination of the major theories related to human communication; with particular emphasis on theories underlying interpersonal, small group, organizational, and intercultural communication.
COMST 305. Language, Thought and Action.
(Cross-listed with SP CM, LING). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: ENGL 250
The study of symbolic processes and how meaning is conveyed in words, sentences, and utterances; discussion of modern theories of meaning; and an exploration of relationships among language, thought and action.
Nonmajor graduate credit.
COMST 310. Intercultural Communication.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: 101, 102, 203, 301
Examines the theories, principles and research on intercultural communication to enhance cultural sensitivity and to recognize, accept, and adapt to cultural diversity. Interactive assignments.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
COMST 311. Relational Communication.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: 101, 102, 203, 301
A study of contemporary interpersonal communication theories and research. Emphasis on relational development research including initiation, maintenance, conflict management, and dissolution.
COMST 314. Organizational Communication.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: 101, 102, 203, 301
Theory and research in organizational communication; strategies for assessing and improving individual and organizational communication effectiveness; an understanding of how organizational meaning is created and sustained through human communication.
COMST 317. Small Group Communication.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: 101, 102, 203, 301
Theory and research in small group communication; application to group decision-making and leadership. Includes communication analyses of groups and teams.
COMST 319. Communication Training and Development.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: 101, 102, 203, 301
Theories and approaches to communication training and development; includes adult learning theory. Emphasis on the design, presentation and assessment of communication skills in organizational contexts.
COMST 323. Gender and Communication.
(Cross-listed with SP CM, W S). (3-0) Cr. 3.
F.
Examines how understanding and enactment of gender identities is shaped by communication. Verbal and nonverbal communication across various contexts including personal relationships and the media. Explores discourse of social movements aiming to transform cultural definitions of gender.
Nonmajor graduate credit.
Meets U.S. Diversity Requirement
COMST 325. Nonverbal Communication.
(Cross-listed with SP CM). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: COMST 101, 102, 203, 301
Approaches to studying nonverbal communication; nonverbal functions and aspects of social interaction such as space, body language, touch, and gaze.
COMST 330. Computer Mediated Communication.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: 101, 102, 203, 301
Theories and approaches related to mediated communication in interpersonal and organizational settings. Focus on how new technology will impact human interaction with computers as well as between and among humans.
COMST 404. Research Seminar.
(Dual-listed with 504). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: 301 plus 9 additional hours of 300 level ComSt courses
Students collect and synthesize theory and research on a communication question or topic of interest to them, then develop and conduct a research study resulting in a research report and presentation.
COMST 490. Independent Study.
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable, maximum of 6 credits.
Prereq: 9 credits in communication studies and junior classification
Application must be submitted for approval the semester prior to the independent study.
COMST 499. Professional Internship.
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable, maximum of 6 credits.
Four hundred hours of on-site work is required for 3 hours credit. Registration by application only. Application must be submitted to Communication Studies faculty adviser for approval the semester prior to the internship.
Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduate students
COMST 504. Seminar in Communication Studies.
(Dual-listed with 404). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. F.S.
Prereq: Graduate standing and permission of instructor
Students collect and synthesize theory and research on a communication question or topic of interest to them, then develop and conduct a research study resulting in a research report and presentation.
COMST 590. Special Topics.
Cr. 1-4.
Repeatable.
Application must be submitted for approval the semester prior to the independent study.