Communication Studies (BA)
The communication studies major proudly places itself at the intersection of theory and practice. Its students are led to understand and to use, to critique and to appreciate, to embrace communication as it is presently practiced in society and to hone it for more effective service to the human community. Our communication studies majors benefit from our unparalleled location within the scholarly Loyola community and in the midst of the Chicago media hub.
Communication studies courses help students understand how communication can persuade, comfort, alienate, or bring the world together.
Related Programs
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| School of Communication Foundation Courses | ||
| COMM 100 | SOC Career Prep Seminar | 1 |
| COMM 175 | Introduction to Communication | 3 |
| COMM 200 | Digital Communication and Society | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| COMM 215 | Ethics & Communication | 3 |
| or COMM 360 | Digital Media Ethics | |
| Communication Studies Foundation | ||
| COMM 240 | Communication Research Design | 3 |
| COMM 271 | Media Culture and Communication | 3 |
| COMM 272 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMM 273 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| Concentrations | 9 | |
| Students must choose one of the following concentrations: | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Conflict Management and Communication | ||
| Small Group Communication | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Media & Technology | ||
| Media Theory and Criticism | ||
| Media Technology & Society | ||
| Global Media | ||
| Social Media & Society | ||
| Digital Platforms | ||
| Game Studies | ||
| Social Media and Society | ||
| Application Course 1 | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Communication Practicum | ||
| Communication Studies Internship 2 | ||
| Directed Study | ||
| Intensive Methods | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| New Media Criticism 3 | ||
| Naturalistic Methods Communication Research 2 | ||
| Rhetorical Criticism 3 | ||
| Ethnographic Research Methods in Communication 2 | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Select one of the following OR a course from another CMUN Concentration | ||
| Introduction to Rhetoric | ||
| Interviewing for Communication | ||
| Persuasive Presentations | ||
| Communication, Language & Gender 2 | ||
| Capstone Course | ||
| COMM 390 | Communication Studies Capstone | 3 |
| Total Hours | 43 | |
- 1
Students must take COMM 240 Communication Research Design before taking this requirement.
- 2
Satisfies Engaged Learning requirement.
- 3
This course is Writing Intensive.
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.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| COMM 175 | Introduction to Communication | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMM 200 | Digital Communication and Society | 3 |
| COMM 272 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMM 215 or COMM 360 |
Ethics & Communication or Digital Media Ethics |
3 |
| COMM 273 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMM 240 | Communication Research Design | 3 |
| COMM 271 | Media Culture and Communication | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMM 100 | SOC Career Prep Seminar | 1 |
| Concentration Course 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration Course 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMM 361 |
New Media Criticism or Naturalistic Methods Communication Research or Rhetorical Criticism or Ethnographic Research Methods in Communication |
3 |
| Concentration Course 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Major Elective | 3 | |
| Application Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMM 390 | Communication Studies Capstone | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 43 | |
School of Communication Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students in the School of Communication are required to take two Writing Intensive courses (6 credit hours) as well as complete a foreign language requirement at 102-level or higher (3 credit hours) or a language competency test. More information can be found here.
Additional Undergraduate Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students are required to complete the University Core, at least one Engaged Learning course, and UNIV 101. SCPS students are not required to take UNIV 101. Nursing students in the Accelerated BSN program are not required to take core or UNIV 101. You can find more information in the University Requirements area.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify the relationship between communication processes and practices and the construction and transformation of human identities, communities, and cultures.
- Build specialized expertise in a Communication sub-field through one of the major’s concentrations in Organizational Communication, Media & Technology, or Social Media & Society.
- Apply communication knowledge to contexts beyond the classroom using appropriate methodologies.
- Interpret and conduct communication research across diverse contexts, cultures, and industries.
- Demonstrate advanced written, oral, and visual communication skills through a creative capstone project relevant to the student's career goals and interests.