Communication, B.A. or B.S.

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The drive to communicate forms the basis of human social behavior and is a critical element of any organization or field of employment, regardless of technological advancement or change. The study of communication provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing society. Classes in communication, which blend theory, methodology, and practice, are central to the investigation and understanding of communicative processes.

Communication majors move on to careers in advertising, business, event planning, media, public relations, publishing, sales, training and development, and others. Recent graduates are now working for radio and TV stations, attending graduate school, planning media events, working in universities, organizing PR campaigns, trading commodities, and much more. A strong liberal arts background and intensive work in all aspects of communication uniquely qualify graduates for innumerable positions.

Outside the classroom, students are encouraged to engage in practical application of their studies. All students have the opportunity to work at the campus radio station, WJMU or the school newspaper, The Decaturian. off-campus experiences, internships, service learning projects, or study abroad programs are particularly valuable for the major and minor.

Learning Goals for the Communication Major

Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate in personal, scholarly, and professional contexts through appropriate verbal, nonverbal, and mediated formats before diverse and varied audiences.
Students will distinguish the theories pertinent to communication studies and demonstrate the skills needed to create, present, analyze, and evaluate messages in relevant contexts.
Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills when generating, consuming, and evaluating messages in relevant communication contexts.

A student can earn either a B. A. or B. S. degree in the Communication major. Please refer to The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and The Bachelor of Science (B. S.) degree requirements listed in the bulletin.

To complete the major:

Complete all Communication Core classes.
Complete the General Communication Studies option or a specific Communication concentration option.

Communication Core

All majors must take the following foundation courses (21 credit hours):

CO 101 - Introduction to Communication Theory Credit(s): 3
CO 230 - Public & Professional Speaking Credit(s): 3
OR
CO 200 - Public Speaking Credit(s): 3
CO 204 - Communication Research Methods Credit(s): 3
CO 210 - Communication Career Lab Credit(s): 2
CO 308 - Media Law and Ethics Credit(s): 3 or other approved ethics course
CO 480 - Capstone Internship Credit(s): 1-3
CO 481 - Communication Capstone Seminar Credit(s): 1
Select a 3-credit writing course from the options below:
CO 250 - Written Business Communication Credit(s): 3
EN 201 - Introduction to Creative Writing Credit(s): 3
EN 212 - Environmental Writing Credit(s): 3
EN 215 - Journalism: Newswriting I Credit(s): 3
Other approved writing course

Communication majors must earn a C or above in the following courses:

CO 101 - Introduction to Communication Theory Credit(s): 3
CO 204 - Communication Research Methods Credit(s): 3
Oral Communication requirement (CO 200 or CO 230 )
Writing requirement
If a Communication major does not earn a C or above in any of these classes, they must repeat the class (or its equivalent) until they earn a C or higher.

General Communication Studies:

Students completing the General Communication Studies option take an additional 18 credits in communication electives, 12 of which must be 300/400 level courses. EN 281 counts toward Communication elective hours (maximum 3 credit hours).

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