Major in Communication Studies

A degree in Communication Studies gives students tremendous flexibility in terms of career choices because effective communication is widely recognized as vital to such fields as advertising, public relations, journalism, international relations, education, arts, entertainment, health and human services, law, and government. In our program, students refine their speaking, writing, and critical thinking skills while investigating communication theories and methodologies. Students can also tailor portions of the major to meet their special needs. For example, some students focus upon interpersonal or organizational communication while others emphasize journalism or public relations. Our highly successful internship program helps our students gain valuable "real world" experience that often provides an entry into their preferred job field. Graduates of our program enjoy successful careers in such areas as publishing, marketing, corporate and non-profit public relations, advertising, education, corporate training and human development, promotions, and event planning and coordination.

Requirements for the Major in Communication Studies

The Communication Studies Major requires completion of 44 units of course work that are subdivided into two areas: 1) Foundations (16 units); and 2) Advanced Area Studies (28 units).

Foundations courses are recommended for the Freshman year, as they provide an introduction to key processes in human communication and the fundamentals of reading, writing, and doing research in communication.

Advanced Area Studies courses are recommended for the Junior and Senior years. By carefully choosing Advanced Area Studies courses with the approval of a faculty advisor, students can fashion a constellation of courses to meet diverse educational and professional goals. Some students may choose to focus on the processes of human communication (interpersonal relationships), while others may emphasize corporate communication, public relations, or advertising. Other students may find that a blend of a variety of courses will best meet their needs. Regardless of their areas of emphasis, we strongly encourage our Majors to develop professional skills in the CM 496 Internship course.

Students should consult full course descriptions for specific prerequisite requirements. A summary of requirements and courses follows below.

Foundations

(16 units required)

• COMS - 202 Rhetoric and the Public Sphere
• COMS - 203 Communication and Everyday Life
• COMS - 204 Communication and Culture
• COMS - 205 Research Methods in Communication

Advanced Area Studies

(28 units required)

• COMS - 300 Interpersonal Communication
• COMS - 314 Intercultural Communication
• COMS - 320 Public Relations Principles and Practices
• COMS - 322 Public Relations Law and Ethics
• COMS - 323 Public Relations Writing
• COMS - 326 Public Relations Campaigns
• COMS - 332 Rhetorical Criticism
• COMS - 334 Rhetoric and Citizenship
• COMS - 340 Advertising Strategies
• COMS - 342 Advertising Presentations
• COMS - 350 Nonverbal Communication
• COMS - 352 Communicating about Health
• COMS - 356 Organizational Communication
• COMS - 358 Persuasion and Social Influence
• COMS - 360 Language and Social Interaction
• COMS - 364 Communication for Justice and Social Change
• COMS - 365 Geographies of Communication
• COMS - 366 The Ethnography of Communication
• COMS - 368 Communication and Aging
• COMS - 373 Rhetorical History of the U.S.
• COMS - 398 Directed Study
• COMS - 490 Topics in Communication Studies
• COMS - 496 Communication Studies Internship

Communication Studies majors may only count a total of three Advertising and/or Public Relations courses toward the 28 units of Advanced Area Studies required for the major.

Note: Students majoring or minoring in Communication Studies must maintain a "C" (or 2.0) grade point average or higher in the major/minor to graduate. Moreover, beginning with students entering USF Fall, 2006, students must earn a C- (C minus) or higher in all Communication Studies courses in order to receive credit for that course toward the major/minor.

Learning Outcomes for the Major in Communication Studies

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of how communication shapes patterns of social interaction, the expression of cultural values and norms, political practices and relations of power, and our positions as local and global citizens.
• Students will be able to use a variety of methodological tools to analyze interpersonal, intercultural, and rhetorical discourse that structures everyday interactions in both our public and private lives.
• Students will develop and hone the skills of speaking, writing, and critical thinking, and will be able to use these skills in their personal, professional and public lives.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the possibilities, problems, and history of discourse and deliberation in democracy and will be prepared to use their knowledge to work for a just and more humane world.