Communication Studies

200 | 300 | 400 | Graduate Courses

(Administered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences)

The Communication Studies Major

The communication studies major prepares students for careers in business and industry and graduate education. Students majoring in ComSt will find their career opportunities enhanced in professions requiring applied communication expertise, e.g., human resource management, personnel, public relations, training and development, sales, management, organizational development, business communication, and international and intercultural relations.

ComSt majors need to master a focused course of inquiry into the contemporary study of human communication. The ComSt major provides this focus through emphasis in applied communication theory and research in interpersonal, small group, organizational, and intercultural communication.

ComSt majors must earn at least 120.5 credits, with 45 credits at the 300-400 levels, and a minimum of 33 credits in ComSt.

English Proficiency Requirement:

To meet the University's English Proficiency requirement students are required to take Engl 302, 309, 314, or 415. An average of C- is required in English 104, 105 (or 105H), and this additional writing course.

The Communication Studies Major

Core Requirements (15 credits)
3 Introduction to Communication Studies, ComSt 101
3 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication, ComSt 102
3 Introduction to Communication Research Methods, ComSt 203
3 Human Communication Theory, ComSt 301

Select one of these courses:
3 Professional Communication, ComSt 214
3 Conflict Management, ComSt 218
3 Fundamentals of Public Speaking, SpCm 212

Upper Division Requirements
(Select five course/15 credits)
3 Intercultural Communication, ComSt 310
3 Relational Communication, ComSt 311
3 Organizational Communication, ComSt 314
3 Small Group Communication, ComSt 317
3 Nonverbal Communication, ComSt 325
3 Computer Mediated Communication, ComSt 330
3 Semantics, SpCm 305
3 Gender and Communication, SpCm 323

Select one of these seminars:
3 Communication Theory or Research, ComSt 404A
3 Interpersonal Communication, ComSt 404B
3 Small Group Communication, ComSt 404C
3 Organizational Communication, ComSt 404D
3 Intercultural Communication, ComSt 404E
3 Nonverbal Communication, ComSt 404F
3 Training and Development, ComSt 404G
3 Computer Mediated Communication, ComSt 404H
33 Total

Enhancement Requirement (4 credits)
4 Computer Applications, Com S 103
Recommended: Stat 101 or equivalent

Communication Studies. The requirements for a minor in ComSt may be fulfilled by credit in ComSt 101 plus at least 15 additional hours of communication studies, of which 9 credits are in courses numbered 300 or above. Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses taken for the minor. No credits in 490, 499, or 590 may apply toward the minor.

Communication Studies (ComSt)

Courses primarily for undergraduate students

ComSt 101. Introduction to Communication Studies. (3-0) Cr. 3. An introduction to communication theory, the development and functions of communication, and a survey of interpersonal, small group, organizational, and intercultural communication.

ComSt 102. Introduction to Interpersonal Communication. (3-0) Cr. 3. Application of communication principles, theory, and research to the process of interpersonal communication; improvement of communication skills most relevant to a broad range of interpersonal settings.

ComSt 203. Introduction to Communication Research Methods. (3-0) Cr. 3. An introduction to analyzing and conducting communication research. Includes theory development, statistics, and methodologies.

ComSt 214. Professional Communication. (3-0) Cr. 3. Communication theory and skill development in organizational settings. Emphasis on: interpersonal skill development, team and meeting facilitation, informational interviewing, and team presentations and self-assessment.

ComSt 218. Conflict Management. (3-0) Cr. 3. Exploration of communication theories, principles and methods associated with effective conflict management in interpersonal and organizational contexts.

ComSt 301. Human Communication Theory. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: 101. Examination of the major theories related to human communication; with particular emphasis on theories underlying interpersonal, small group, organizational, and intercultural communication.

ComSt 310. Intercultural Communication. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: 101 or 102, 203, 301. Examines the theories, principles and research on intercultural communication to enhance cultural sensitivity and to recognize, accept, and adapt to cultural diversity. Interactive assignments.

ComSt 311. Relational Communication. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: 102, 203, 301. A study of contemporary interpersonal communication theories and research. Emphasis on relational development research including initiation, maintenance, conflict management, and dissolution.

ComSt 314. Organizational Communication. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: 101 or 102, 203, 301. Theory and research in organizational communication; strategies for assessing and improving individual and organizational communication effectiveness; an understanding of how organizational meaning is created and sustained through human communication.

ComSt 317. Small Group Communication. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: 101 or 102, 203, 301. Theory and research in small group communication; application to group decision-making and leadership. Includes communication analyses of groups and teams.

ComSt 325. Nonverbal Communication. (Same as Ling 325, Sp Cm 325.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: 101 or 102, 203, 301. Theory and research in nonverbal communication; exploration of nonverbal codes and covert subcodes; function of nonverbal communication in various contexts; student-designed investigations.

ComSt 330. Computer Mediated Communication. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: 101 or 102, 203, 301. Theories and perspectives related to mediated communication in interpersonal and organizational settings. Focus on how new technology will impact human interaction with computers as well as between and among humans.

ComSt 404. Seminar in Communication Studies. (Dual-listed with 504.) Cr. 3. Prereq: 9 hours of 300 level ComSt courses to include ComSt 301 and the approprate 300 level (as indicated in parenthesis below).
A. Communication Theory or Research
B. Interpersonal Communication (ComSt 311)
C. Small Group Communication (ComSt 317)
D. Organizational Communication (ComSt 314)
E. Intercultural Communication (ComSt 310)
F. Nonverbal Communication (ComSt 325)
G. Training and Development (ComSt 314)
I. Computer Mediated Communication (ComSt 330)

ComSt 490. Independent Study. Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken, maximum of 6. F.S.SS. Prereq; 9 credits in communication studies and junior classification. Application must be submitted for approval the semester prior to the independent study.

ComSt 499. Professional Internship. Cr . 1 to 3 each time taken, maximum of 6. F.S. Four hundred hours of on-site work is required for 3 hours credit. Registration by application only. Application must be submitted to Communication Studies faculty adviser for approval the semester prior to the internship. Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduate students

ComSt 504. Seminar in Communication Studies. (Dual-listed with 404.) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: Graduate standing.
A. Communication Theory and Research
B. Interpersonal Communication
C. Small Group Communication
D. Organizational Communication
E. Intercultural Communication
F. Nonverbal Communication
G. Training and Development
I. Computer Mediated Communication

ComSt 590. Special Topics. Cr. 1 to 4 each time taken. Application must be submitted for approval the semester prior to the independent study.