The Communication Studies Major
The Communication Studies Program focuses on human communication, exploring the ways humans create and negotiate meaning. Communication Studies majors master a focused course of inquiry into interpersonal processes as they create and sustain relationships and impact individuals, groups, and organizations. The Communication Studies curriculum builds primarily on social science traditions in developing a liberal arts education emphasizing human communication. Students in the Communication Studies major study applied communication theory and research in interpersonal, small group, organizational, intercultural, and other contexts.
The Communication Studies (ComSt) major teaches students how to think critically, giving them the ability to examine complex communication issues, and develop and implement strategies grounded in evidence-based research. This 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, public relations, training and development, sales management, recruitment, event planning, sales, management, organizational development, business communication, law, and international and intercultural relations.
ComSt majors must earn at least 120 credits, with 45 credits at the 300-400 levels, and a minimum of 33 credits in ComSt.
Communication Studies majors will...
- Develop foundational knowledge of human communication
- Apply human communication strategies in a diverse world
- Evaluate and utilize evidence-based research
- Cultivate communication competence
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 | |
| Plus one of the following: | 3 | |
| Business Communication | ||
| Proposal and Report Writing | ||
| Technical Communication | ||
| Business and Technical Editing | ||
| A grade of C or higher is required in ENGL 250 Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition (or ENGL 250H Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition, Honors). | ||
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 | ||
| Communication and U.S. Diversity | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Upper Division Requirements (15 credits). Select five courses from the following
| COMST 310 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMST 311 | Studies in Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMST 313 | Leadership Communication Theories | 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 |
| SP CM 323 | Gender and Communication | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Capstone Course Requirement (3 credits)
| COMST 404 | Research Seminar | 3 |
Credits in COMST 384 Applied Organizational Communication, may not be applied toward the upper division requirements.
In accordance with college requirements, an overall average in Communication Studies courses of C (2.0) or better is required.
Enhancement Requirement (4 credits)
| COM S 103 | Computer Applications | 4 |
Additional Recommended Courses
| STAT 101 | Principles of Statistics | 4 |
| SP CM 212 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| COMST 450 | Special Topics in Communication Studies | 3 |
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 | |
| Credits in COMST 384 Applied Organizational Communication, may not be applied toward the minor. Students must earn an overall average of C (2.0) or better in all courses taken for the minor. | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Communication Studies, B.A.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 150 | 3 | COM S 103 | 4 |
| COMST 101 | 3 | Social Science Choice | 3 |
| Social Science Choice | 3 | Humanities Choice | 3 |
| Humanities Choice | 3 | Natural Science Choice | 3 |
| Natural Science Choice | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| LIB 160 | 1 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| COMST 102 | 3 | COMST 210, 214, or 218 | 3 |
| Foreign Language/Elective | 3-4 | Foreign Language/Elective | 3-4 |
| ENGL 250 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Humanities Choice | 3 | Math Choice (STAT 101 recommended) | 3-4 |
| Social Science Choice | 3 | Elective(s) (if STAT 101 and/or For. Lang. is not taken) | 1-2 |
| 15-16 | 13-16 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| COMST 203 | 3 | Upper Division Comm. Requirement | 3 |
| COMST 301 | 3 | Upper Division Comm. Requirement | 3 |
| U.S. Diversity Choice | 3 | Humanities Choice | 3 |
| Natural Science Choice | 3 | Elective - 300+ | 3 |
| Elective 300+ | 3 | Elective - 300+ | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Upper Division Comm Requirement | 3 | COMST 404 | 3 |
| Upper Division Comm Requirement | 3 | Upper Division Comm Requirement | 3 |
| Any Elective | 3 | Verbal Comm--ENGL 302, 309, or 314 | 3 |
| Electives 300+ | 3 | Elective 300+ | 3 |
| Elective 300+ | 3 | Elective 300+ | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
To meet Upper Division Comm Requirements students select from among the following:
| |
Students in all majors must complete a three-credit course in U.S. diversity and a three-credit course in international perspectives. (COMST 310 fulfills the international perspective requirement/COMST 210 and SP CM 323 fulfill the U.S. diversity requirement). Approved courses are listed at: http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/courses/div-ip-guide.html. Discuss with your adviser how the two courses that you select can be applied to to your graduation plan. | |
LAS majors require a minimum of 120 credits, including a minimum of 45 credits at the 300/400 level. You must also complete the LAS foreign language requirement. | |
The LAS College requires all students to have a 2.0 in the major to graduate. This means students need a 2.0 GPA in the 33 hours taken to fulfill the major requirements in Communication Studies. |
Courses
Courses primarily for undergraduates:
(3-0) Cr. 3.
An introduction to communication theory, the development and functions of communication, and a survey of verbal, nonverbal, interpersonal, small group, organizational, and intercultural communication.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Application of communication principles, theory, and research to the process of interpersonal communication; includes verbal and nonverbal communication, listening, and conflict management. Particular emphasis given to using communication to manage interpersonal relationships.
(1-0) Cr. 1.
Prereq: Available only for Communication Studies majors
Orientation to Communication Studies discipline, program requirements and career opportunities. Required of communication studies majors.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: COMST 101
An introduction to analyzing and conducting communication research. Provides an overview of quantitative and qualitative approaches to communication research.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.SS.
Introduction to the role of diversity in communication. Developing competent communication with diverse social groups within interpersonal and organizational contexts in the United States. Topics may include structured reflection of one’s role in diverse communication experiences, cultural variations in communication mores, impacts of racial/ethnic/gender identities on communication, workplace policies regarding cultural diversity, the intersection of communication and cultural privilege, communication practices that can reduce prejudice/discrimination, and communication characteristics of advocates for diversity.
Meets U.S. Diversity Requirement
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Communication theory and skill development in organizational settings. Emphasis on interpersonal skill development, team and meeting facilitation, informational interviewing, individual and team presentations, and self-assessment.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Exploration of communication theories, principles and methods associated with effective conflict management.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: COMST 101
Examination of the major theories related to human communication; with particular emphasis on theories underlying interpersonal, small group, organizational, and intercultural communication.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.
Prereq: COMST 102, COMST 203, COMST 301
Investigation of theories, research and principles of leadership communication. Exploration of the contexts in which leadership and communication occurs, with emphasis on the connection between communication and leadership and the dyadic linkage of leader and follower.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: COMST 102, COMST 203, COMST 301
Theory and research in organizational communication. Provides strategies for assessing and improving individual and organizational communication effectiveness. Addresses issues such as technology, diversity, work-life negotiation, emotional labor, conflict, socialization, and socially responsible organizations. Explores how organizational meaning is created and sustained through human communication.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: COMST 101, COMST 102 or equivalent course.
Theory and research of micro-level organizational communication, including interpersonal and small group interactions taking place in a professional setting. Topics include interpersonal dynamics in such areas as conflict, generational communication, negotiation, superior/subordinate communication, external communication, and virtual communication. Not available for major credit.
(Dual-listed with COMST 504). (3-0) Cr. 3. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: COMST 301 plus 3 additional communication studies classes from the following list: COMST 310, COMST 311, COMST 313, COMST 314, COMST 317, COMST 319, COMST 325, or COMST 330.
Capstone communication studies course. Students develop an original research study linked to the study of communication. Data are collected and analyzed. Results are presented in a final research paper and a presentation.
(3-0) Cr. 3. Repeatable, maximum of 6 credits. F.S.
Research and theory related to special topics and issues in communication studies.
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.
Cr. 1-3. Repeatable, maximum of 6 credits.
Prereq: 12 hours in Communication Studies including COMST 203, COMST 301, and one other 300-level COMST class. Junior Classification. Application required.
100 hours of on-site professional work per credit hour plus completion of the academic requirement set by the internship committee. Application should be submitted in the term prior to the term in which the internship will be served. Internship cannot be used to meet degree requirement in Communication Studies.
Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduates:
(Dual-listed with COMST 404). (3-0) Cr. 3. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: COMST 301 plus 3 additional communication studies classes from the following list: COMST 310, COMST 311, COMST 313, COMST 314, COMST 317, COMST 319, COMST 325, or COMST 330.
Capstone communication studies course. Students develop an original research study linked to the study of communication. Data are collected and analyzed. Results are presented in a final research paper and a presentation.
Cr. 1-4. Repeatable.
Application must be submitted for approval the semester prior to the independent study.