Communication Studies Major

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The Communication Studies Major requires completion of 44 units of course work subdivided into two areas: Foundations (12 units); Methods (8 units); and Advanced Area Studies (24 units).

Program Learning Outcomes

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
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
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
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

Major Requirements (44 units)

Foundations (12 units)

Foundations courses are recommended for the second semester of the First year (or first semester for transfer students), as they provide an introduction to key processes in human communication and the fundamentals of reading, writing, and doing research in communication. Methods courses are recommended for the Sophomore and Junior Years.

Methods (8 units 2 courses)

Advanced Area Studies (24 units 6 courses)

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 adviser, students can fashion a constellation of courses to meet diverse educational and professional goals.

Note:

* Communication Studies majors may only count a total of three Public Relations courses toward the 24 units of Advanced Area Studies required for the major. If you are also a Public Relations minor, the four upper-division Public Relations courses may not double count for the Communication Studies major and the Public Relations minor.

** No more than four units of Directed Study may count towards the Communication Studies major.

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.