2021-2022 Academic Catalog

Communication

Department Chair: Karyl Daughters
Faculty: Kelly Berg, Terry Check, Jeanmarie Cook, Karyl Daughters, Dana Drazenovich, Katherine Johnson, Elizabeth Johnson, Jennifer Kramer, Julie Lynch, Shane Miller, Emily Berg Paup, Aric Putnam, Erin Szabo

The field of communication studies how people communicate and how that communication constructs shared beliefs and shapes human community.  Scholars of communication promote analysis of, and reflection on, the practical and ethical effects of communication in diverse situations, e.g. between individuals, in the public sphere, and in a variety of mediated contexts.

Communication courses are designed to provide students with the theory and skill necessary for college work and for personal and professional development after graduation. The department emphasizes written and oral communication skills, message analysis, and communal responsibility.

Assessment

The Communication Department conducts regular assessment of specific department learning goals and objectives.  Assessment is embedded throughout the curriculum and includes analysis of student work samples.  Outcomes are evaluated to assess student learning and inform pedagogical changes.

Acceptance to Major Requirements

Course Requirements:  COMM 102, 103 and 105 (must complete 2 of 3)
Minimum Grade and/or GPA for required courses:  GPA 2.0
Minimum Cumulative GPA:  2.0

Major (40 credits)

Forty (40) credits -the equivalent of 10 courses -distributed as follows:

  1. Communication majors must take all three foundation courses (12 credits): 102, 103, 105.
  2. One course in Message Design: 220, 225, 240, 245, 247, 248, 251, 265, 282, or 382.
  3. One course in Analysis of Communication: 110, 205, 277A, 278A, 308, 330, 336, 338, 340, 342, 352, 358, 367, or 384.
  4. One course in Communication and Community:  304, 305, 307, 309, 310, 335, 341, 350, 350A, 351, or 387.
  5. One Capstone course:  331, 334, 346, 347, 353, 360, 368, or 398. The capstone course is typically taken during the senior year and only after the foundation courses and at least one course from each of the three learning goals are completed.
  6. At least 16 credits (the equivalent of four courses) must be 300-level Communication department courses.  COMM 392 (Communication Practicum), COMM 397 (Internship), and courses taken abroad and from the approved out of department course list do not fulfill this requirement.
  7. Plus, additional courses within the department to complete the required 40 credits. NOTE:  Students may take more than one course in Message Design, Analysis of Communication, and/or Communication and Community to count as electives toward the required 40 credits.

One course (or 4 credits) may be counted toward the major from the following:  ART 317, ART 318, ART 333A (2), ART 333D (2), ENGL 311, ENGL 387, PCST 346, PSYC 221, SOCI 201, or one approved elective course from study abroad.  These outside courses are optional and do not fulfill the 300-level course requirement.

Additional Elective Courses that count toward the major: 252 Listening Basics (2 cr.); 271 Independent Learning Project; 286 Introduction to Film Studies (HM); 371 Independent Learning Project; 380 Special Topics in Communication; 386 Studies in Film (HM, some sections GE).

Minor (20 credits)

Twenty (20) credits -the equivalent of five (5) courses -distributed as follows:

  1. All Communication minors must take COMM 102: Public Speaking and the Public Sphere.
  2. Communication minors must also take at least one additional foundational course: COMM 103 or 105.
  3. One course in Message Design: 220, 225, 240, 245, 247, 248, 251, 265, 282, or 382.
  4. One course in Analysis of Communication: 110, 205, 277A, 278A, 308, 311, 312, 330, 336, 338, 340, 342, 352, 358, 367, or 384.
  5. One course in Communication and Community: 304, 305, 307, 309, 310, 335, 341, 350, 350A, 351, or 387.

Please NOTE:

  • COMM 200 is open to non-majors and does not count toward the major or minor.
  • COMM 392 (Communication Practicum) does not count toward the major or minor.
  • COMM 397 (Internship) does not count toward the major or minor.
  • Study Abroad courses do not count toward the Communication minor.
  • During some semesters, selected courses may be restricted to majors only. Students should contact the instructor to determine if seats are available for minors.

For the most current information about the department, consult our web site at: http://www.csbsju.edu/communication/

Courses (COMM)