The communication studies minor equips students to understand the fundamental communication social issues faced by our globalized world. They come to appreciate how communication can persuade, comfort, alienate, or bring the world together.

This 18 credit minor will help students learn to use communication skills to produce messages, texts, campaigns, and projects in a way that is creative, culturally literate and convincing. Because of this, the minor is a very good complement for majors in the College of Arts and Sciences as well as Education, Business, and Social Work.

Curriculum

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Course
COMM 175	Introduction to Communication	3
Electives
Select five from the following menus—two of these courses must be selected from at least two different menus.		15
Menu 1: Theory/Critical Analysis
COMM 215	Ethics & Communication
COMM 220	Introduction to Rhetoric
COMM 227	Social Justice & Communication
COMM 268	Persuasion
COMM 271	Media Culture and Communication
COMM 272	Intercultural Communication
COMM 273	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 274	Introduction to Cinema
COMM 277	Organizational Communication
Menu 2: Applied
COMM 130	Intro to Audio Production
COMM 135	Intro to Video Production
COMM 230	Argumentation & Advocacy
COMM 231	Conflict Management and Communication
COMM 232	Cinematography I
COMM 234	Interviewing for Communication
COMM 236	Persuasive Presentations
COMM 237	Small Group Communication
COMM 275	Web Design and Usability
COMM 306	Environmental Advocacy
COMM 309	Designing Media for Social Change
COMM 361	New Media Criticism 1
Menu 3: Research Methods
COMM 365	Naturalistic Methods Communication Research 2
COMM 367	Rhetorical Criticism 1
COMM 368	Ethnographic Research Methods in Communication 2
Menu 4: General Communication Electives
Any COMM course not previously taken to satisfy a requirement
Total Hours		18

¹

Writing Intensive

²

Satisfies Engaged Learning requirement.

Suggested Sequence of Courses

The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework.  An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study.  Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.

Plan of Study Grid

Sophomore
Fall		Hours
COMM 175	Introduction to Communication	3
	Hours	3
Spring
Minor Elective #1 1		3
	Hours	3
Junior
Fall
Minor Elective #2 1		3
	Hours	3
Spring
Minor Elective #3 1		3
	Hours	3
Senior
Fall
Minor Elective #4 1		3
	Hours	3
Spring
Minor Elective #5 1		3
	Hours	3
	Total Hours	18

¹

Two (2) courses must come from different menus: Theory/Critical Analysis, Applied, Research Methods, any COMM class not previously taken.

Learning Outcomes

• Learn how the communication field interprets and approaches fundamental communication social issues faced by our globalized world.
• Understand the situated, contextual, and historical nature of communication processes and practices.
• Identify the relationship between communication processes and practices and the construction and transformation of human identities, communities, and cultures.
• Use communication skills and knowledge to produce messages, texts, campaigns, and projects.
• Formulate creative, culturally literate, and convincing oral, written, and multimodal arguments which are responsive to context and situation.