This discipline is in the Division of the Humanities. The mission of the Communication, Media, and Rhetoric (CMR) discipline is to provide an introduction to the breadth of scholarship in communication history, communication theory, and communication contexts. UMM students in the CMR major study the multidimensional nature of various types of communication processes, the activities of message production, and the analysis and evaluation of personal, public, and mass communication. Students develop skills for lifelong learning and refine capabilities for active involvement in a participatory democracy. Objectives--The curriculum is designed to ensure that: 1. Students develop a historical and theoretical understanding of the three areas of communication, electronic media, and rhetoric. 2. Students use a variety of assigned theoretical approaches and research methods appropriate to rhetoric, communication, and electronic mass media to describe and evaluate assigned or chosen discourse. 3. Students participate in a variety of oral communication phenomenon assignments using informative and persuasive speaking techniques effectively. Learning Outcomes: 1. Students will be able to compare and evaluate various theoretical approaches, demonstrate an understanding of the historical dimensions of theory building, and describe and critically evaluate the complexity and richness of communication. 2. Students will be able to choose from a variety of methods to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate a specific act, communication artifact, or phenomena. 3. Students will be able to design and deliver effective messages orally.

Up to 4 credits of coursework with a grade of D or D+ may be used to meet the major requirements if offset by an equivalent number of credits of A or B. Courses may not be taken S-N, unless offered S-N only. A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required in the major to graduate. The GPA includes all, and only, University of Minnesota coursework. Grades of "F" are included in GPA calculation until they are replaced.