Twin Cities campus

This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.

 
Twin Cities Campus

Communication Studies B.A.

Communication Studies
College of Liberal Arts
  • Program Type: Baccalaureate
  • Requirements for this program are current for Spring 2017
  • Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120
  • Required credits within the major: 34
  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts
This program examines human communication using humanistic and social scientific methods. Fields of study include speech writing, rhetorical criticism, ethics, interpersonal, small group, organizational, intercultural, and electronic (broadcasting, cable, satellite, internet) forms of communication. Students are strongly encouraged to declare their major during the first or second year. Students intending to declare a communication studies major must first meet with an a communication studies advisor in 274 Ford Hall.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website.
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the liberal education requirements. Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete 4 semester(s) of any second language. with a grade of C-, or better, or S, or demonstrate proficiency in the language(s) as defined by the department or college.
Students may earn a bachelor of arts or a minor in communication studies, but not both. CLA BA degrees require 4 semesters or the equivalent of a second language. CLA degrees require students to complete 48 credits of upper division coursework taken at the 3xxx, 4xxx, or 5xxx level. For a BA at least 18 of the 48 upper division credits must be outside of the major. For some specific majors, there are exceptions to this requirement. This program requires 18 upper division credits outside the major. See your advisor for a list of courses that can or cannot be used to meet this requirement. All incoming CLA freshmen must complete the first year experience course sequence.
Introductory Courses
Take the following 2 courses for a total of 6 credits.
COMM 1101 - Introduction to Public Speaking [CIV] (3.0 cr)
COMM 1313W - Analysis of Argument [WI] (3.0 cr)
Core Courses
Take 2 or more course(s) totaling 6 or more credit(s) from the following:
· COMM 3211 - Introduction to Media Studies (3.0 cr)
· COMM 3401 - Introduction to Communication Theory (3.0 cr)
· COMM 3601 - Introduction to Rhetorical Theory (3.0 cr)
Performative Electives
Required Performance Elective
Note: in order for COMM 3990 to count as a performative elective, it must be taken for at least 3 credits.
Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
· COMM 3201 - Introduction to Electronic Media Production (4.0 cr)
· COMM 3411 - Introduction to Small Group Communication (3.0 cr)
· COMM 3422 - Interviewing and Communication (3.0 cr)
· COMM 3605W - Persuasive Speaking and Speech Writing [WI] (3.0 cr)
· COMM 3994 - Directed Research (1.0-3.0 cr)
Upper Division Elective
Take 1 or more course(s) from the following:
· COMM 4xxx
· COMM 5xxx
Additional Communications Studies Electives
In addition to the above requirements and the senior project, take as many COMM 1xxx-5xxx credits as needed to reach the 34-credit graduation requirement.
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
· COMM 1xxx
· COMM 3xxx
· COMM 4xxx
· COMM 5xxx
Senior Project
The senior project is fulfilled by completing a senior paper. The senior paper can be written in any COMM 4xxx or 5xxx course. COMM 3995W, an S-N only, senior paper course, must be taken during the same semester in which the senior paper is written.
COMM 3999W - Capstone Project [WI] (1.0 cr)
Upper Division Writing Intensive within the Major
Students are required to take one upper division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
· COMM 3999W - Capstone Project [WI] (1.0 cr)
· COMM 3605W - Persuasive Speaking and Speech Writing [WI] (3.0 cr)
 
More program views..
View college catalog(s):
· College of Liberal Arts

View future requirement(s):
· Fall 2022
· Spring 2021
· Fall 2020
· Fall 2019
· Fall 2018
· Fall 2017

View sample plan(s):
· Communication Studies

View checkpoint chart:
· Communication Studies B.A.
View PDF Version:
Search.
Search Programs

Search University Catalogs
Related links.

College of Liberal Arts

TC Undergraduate Admissions

TC Undergraduate Application

One Stop
for tuition, course registration, financial aid, academic calendars, and more
 
COMM 1101 - Introduction to Public Speaking (CIV)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Comm 1101/Comm 1101H/PSTL 1461
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Public communication processes, elements, and ethics. Criticism of and response to public discourse. Practice in individual speaking designed to encourage civic participation.
COMM 1313W - Analysis of Argument (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Strategies for analyzing, evaluating, generating arguments. Problems in listening/responding to argument.
COMM 3211 - Introduction to Media Studies
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Historical development and current issues in electronic media technologies and programming. Effects of governmental, industrial, and public organizations on message content. Problem areas of electronic media.
COMM 3401 - Introduction to Communication Theory
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Social scientific theory in human communication. Logic of scientific communication theories in interpersonal, small group, organizational, intercultural, and mediated communication.
COMM 3601 - Introduction to Rhetorical Theory
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Theoretical systems to explain/direct creation of public discourse. Traditional rhetoric to contemporary perspectives. Using theory to explain practice of public discourse.
COMM 3201 - Introduction to Electronic Media Production
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Students work as a team to plan, script, and shoot video productions in a hands-on multi-camera television studio. By creating their own productions and reviewing the productions of others, students learn how media aesthetics shape the presentation of themes and messages.
COMM 3411 - Introduction to Small Group Communication
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Cooperative thinking in task-oriented groups. Planning, preparing for, and participating in small groups in private and public contexts.
COMM 3422 - Interviewing and Communication
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Application of communication concepts in information interview. Planning, conducting, and evaluating informational, journalistic/elite, helping, persuasive, appraisal, and employment interviews. Class training, field experience.
COMM 3605W - Persuasive Speaking and Speech Writing (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Performance/composition with critical inquiry into rhetoric theories. Writing, thinking, and speaking skills. prereq: 1101, soph
COMM 3994 - Directed Research
Credits: 1.0 -3.0 [max 6.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
How communication research is designed, implemented, and published. Focus is on working with senior faculty on their current research projects.
COMM 3999W - Capstone Project (WI)
Credits: 1.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
The Capstone is fulfilled by completing a 10-20 page capstone paper. Students seeking honors in communication studies may fulfill the capstone requirement with the honors thesis. The honors thesis is completed by taking 6 credits of of COMM 3190H, which counts towards the Additional Electives requirement. Students who double major and choose to complete the capstone requirement in their other major may waive the communication studies BA capstone, and they do not need to replace the 1 credit. Take COMM 3999W concurrently with any COMM 4xxx or 5xxx course. COMM 3999W is taken S-N only and must be taken during the same semester in which the capstone paper is written. The instructor sets the criteria for standards of quality and conceptual/theoretical content. Prerequisites: COMM major; instructor consent
COMM 3999W - Capstone Project (WI)
Credits: 1.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
The Capstone is fulfilled by completing a 10-20 page capstone paper. Students seeking honors in communication studies may fulfill the capstone requirement with the honors thesis. The honors thesis is completed by taking 6 credits of of COMM 3190H, which counts towards the Additional Electives requirement. Students who double major and choose to complete the capstone requirement in their other major may waive the communication studies BA capstone, and they do not need to replace the 1 credit. Take COMM 3999W concurrently with any COMM 4xxx or 5xxx course. COMM 3999W is taken S-N only and must be taken during the same semester in which the capstone paper is written. The instructor sets the criteria for standards of quality and conceptual/theoretical content. Prerequisites: COMM major; instructor consent
COMM 3605W - Persuasive Speaking and Speech Writing (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Performance/composition with critical inquiry into rhetoric theories. Writing, thinking, and speaking skills. prereq: 1101, soph