Curriculum Structure
Graduation with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication requires a total of 34
course units, including a minimum of 14 courses in the major. Three of the major
courses are taken in cognate fields and 11 in communication. Among the communication
courses are two required introductory courses designed to expose students to major
topics in the field, one course in research methods, four intermediate-level courses,
and four advanced courses. Specific course requirements are outlined below.
General Policies
Courses comprising the major must have been taken for a letter grade (that is, not
pass/fail) and have resulted in a grade of “D+” or higher. Students enrolled in
the College of Arts and Sciences may complete one, but not both, of their required
introductory courses through the College of General Studies.
Course Descriptions
Visit Course Descriptions Page
Course Requirements
-
Introductory Courses.
Students must complete two of the three courses ranging broadly over important parts of the field.
- COMM 123: Communication and Popular Culture
- COMM 125: Introduction to Communication Behavior
- COMM 130: Introduction to Mass Media and Society
-
Research Methods.
One course providing a basic introduction to the principles and techniques of social
research. The requirement can be met in one of two ways:
- COMM 340: Basic Communication Research
OR
- An equivalent methods course in another department. Approval of such courses may
require submission of a course syllabus. A non-exhaustive list of sample courses
is below (some of which may carry prerequisites).
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ECON 005/103
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Statistics for Economists
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MKTG 212
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Marketing Research
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PHIL 225
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Intro. to Philosophy of Science
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PHIL 425
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Philosophy of Science
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PSCI 295
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Intro. to Political Research
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PSYC 020
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Probability and Statistics
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PSYC 3xx
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Various Research Seminars
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SOCI 004
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Sociology of the Family
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SOCI 100
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Intro. to Sociological Research
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SOCI 120
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Social Statistics
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SOCI 123
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Intro. to Soc. For Adv. Students
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SOCI 128
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Intro. to Demographic Methods
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SOCI 221
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Sample Survey Methods
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SOCI 222
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Field Methods of Soc. Research
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SOCI 521
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Methodological Legal Research
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STAT 101
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Introductory Business Statistics
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STAT 102
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Introductory Business Statistics
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STAT 111
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Introductory Statistics
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STAT 112
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Introductory Statistics
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URBS 213
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Methods in Urban Ethnography
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Intermediate Courses.
Four courses that apply communication perspectives to particular domains of concern,
issues or industries. (Advanced courses – see below – can substitute for intermediate-level
courses.)
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COMM 123
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Communication & Popular Culture
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COMM 140
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Intro. to Film Forms and Contexts
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COMM 210
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Film and Reality
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COMM 224
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Communication, Childhood, and Play
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COMM 225
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Children and Media
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COMM 226
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Intro. to Political Communication
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COMM 237
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Health Communication
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COMM 262
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Visual Communication
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COMM 275
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Communication and Persuasion
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COMM 298
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Study Abroad
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COMM 299
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Communication Internship Seminar
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Advanced Courses.
Four courses that deal with particular research topics, intended for advanced students
in communication. One of these must be a seminar. Courses numbered above 500 may
also be taken by seniors with Instructor and School permission.
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COMM 298+
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Study Abroad
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COMM 299*
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Communication Internship
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COMM 300
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Public Space, Public Life
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COMM 303*
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New Tech, Comm & Control
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COMM 314*
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Anthropology and Mass Media
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COMM 322*
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Hist. & Theo. of Freedom of Expr.
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COMM 323*
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Contem. Politics, Policy & Journalism
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COMM 325*
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Adolescent Media
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COMM 330
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Advertising & Society
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COMM 334*
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The Information Age
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COMM 336*
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Local News Media & Urban Policy
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COMM 339*
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Critical Perspectives in Journalism
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COMM 340
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Basic Communication Research
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COMM 341*
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Children’s Media Policy
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COMM 349*
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Media and Public Opinion
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COMM 350
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Non-Verbal Communication
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COMM 362*
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Visual Communication Lab
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COMM 374*
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Communication and Congress
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COMM 378*
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Journalism and Public Serv
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COMM 395*
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Communication and the Presidency
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COMM 396*
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Media Events
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COMM 399
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Independent Study
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COMM 408*
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Children & Media: Cog. Development
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COMM 413*
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Pub. Opinion in Leadership Decisions
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COMM 415*
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Communication Law, Policy & Public Interest
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COMM 416*
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Intimacy, Privacy & Surveillance
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COMM 420*
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Race: History, Theory, and Practice
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COMM 422*
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Televised Redemption
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COMM 429*
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Elections and Mass Media
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COMM 430*
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LGBT Representation in Popular Media
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COMM 439*
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Media Criticism
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COMM 462*
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Vis Comm & Social Advoc
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COMM 481*
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Social Networks
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COMM 485*
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Music Videos & Global
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COMM 499
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Senior Honors Thesis
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*Seminar
+Department approval required. A course syllabus must be submitted to the Associate
Director of Undergraduate Studies and Registrar for review.
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Cognate Courses.
Three courses from other schools and departments that support a student’s research
interests in communication. In fulfilling the cognate requirement, students may
select courses from three different departments; but no more than a single introductory
class is permitted.
Cognates must come from one of the following three clusters:
-
Communication and Culture
Anthropology, Art History, Comparative Literature, Education, English, Film Studies,
Fine Arts, Folklore, Music, Religious Studies, Sociology, Theater Arts
-
Communication and Behavior
Anthropology, Education, Linguistics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology
-
Communication and Commerce**
Business & Public Policy, Economics, International Relations, Legal Studies, Management,
Marketing
/ ** At least one course in this cluster must be taken either in Economics or in
Business & Public Policy.
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