Draft 2025-2026 Catalog 
    
    Sep 19, 2024  
Draft 2025-2026 Catalog

Communication Studies Major


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.

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. 

Curriculum Map


Freshman Year


Fall Units
Core - A2: RHET 120 - Written Communication II   4
Core - A1: RHET 103 - Public Speaking    4
Core - E: COMS 203 - Communication & Everyday Life    4
Language - Course 1 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
Core - D2: Theology and Religious Studies 4
Core - E & Cultural Diversity: COMS 204 - Communication & Culture   4
Core - B2: Applied Science or Lab Science 4
Language - Course 2 4
Total Semester Units 16

Sophomore Year


Fall Units
COMS 202 - Rhetoric & the Public Sphere   4
COMS Methods (Choose one: COMS 252 - Critical & Rhetorical Methods COMS 253 - Quantitative Research Methods COMS 254 - Qualitative Research Methods  4
Core - D3: Ethics 4
Language - Course 3 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
COMS Methods (Choose one: COMS 252 - Critical & Rhetorical Methods COMS 253 - Quantitative Research Methods COMS 254 - Qualitative Research Methods  4
COMS Upper Division 1 (Choose from a variety of classes) 4
Core - B1: Math or Quantitative Science 4
Core - D1: Philosophy 4
Total Semester Units 16

Junior Year


Fall Units
COMS Upper Division 2 (Choose from a variety of classes) 4
COMS Upper Division 3 (Choose from a variety of classes) 4
Core - C1: Literature 4
Minor Class or Elective 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
COMS Upper Division 4 with CEL Designation (CORE CEL Requirement + Upper Division Credit) 4
Core - F: Visual and Performing Arts 4
Core - C2: History 4
Minor Class or Elective 4
Total Semester Units 16

Senior Year


Fall Units
COMS Upper Division 5 (Choose from a variety of classes) 4
Minor Class or Elective 4
Minor Class or Elective 4
Minor Class or Elective 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
COMS 496 - Comm Studies Internship  (COMS Upper Division 6) 4
Minor Class or Elective 4
Minor Class or Elective 4
Minor Class or Elective 4
Total Semester Units 16

*This information is subject to change, the curriculum map is a sample, and students should consult with the department for any updated information.