Course description
A concentration in communication consists of 11 courses: five core courses, three electives in communication (one of which must be above the 200 level), and three cognate courses from other disciplines. The core courses are 101, 210, 302, 455 (formerly 355) and the senior project (500). These courses are offered every year; 101 and 210 are offered every semester. Electives in communication are offered every other year. Cognate courses speak to the interdisciplinary perspectives that inform the study of human communication, and must be at the 200 level or above; cognates cannot count toward a second major or a minor. During the first semester of senior year, students will provide their advisor with a written rationale that supports their selection of cognates and explains how these courses enrich their study of communication.
Students pursuing a concentration in communication will gain a critical understanding of the theoretical frameworks and methods of research in the discipline. Communication Theory (302) should be taken in the student’s junior year, followed by Methods of Communication Research (455) and Senior Project (500) in the fall and spring, respectively, of senior year. All senior projects consist of both written and oral components, culminating in a final draft of original research and an oral presentation to students and faculty at the end of the course.
Honors in communication will be awarded based on a cumulative record of 3.5 (90) or above in all courses counting toward the concentration, as well as distinguished performance on the senior project.
A minor in communication consists of five communication courses: 101, 210, and three additional courses (one of which must be above the 200 level).
