Students majoring in Communication must complete at least 12 courses (36 credits) in Communication. The following specific requirements apply to students entering the program in Fall 2000 or later.
1. All three of the following (9 credits):
118 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
121 Introduction to Media and Culture
375 Writing About Communication (fulfills Junior Year Writing requirement)
2. At least one course (3 credits) from the following:
212 Cultural Codes in Communication
263 Introduction to Argumentation and Debate
265 Democracy and Discourse
297M Communicating Gender
297V Ethnography of Performance
310 Persuasion Theory
318 Comparative Communication Theory
352 Small Group Communication
366 Approaches to Rhetorical Criticism
3. At least one course (3 credits) from the following:
222 Media Programming and Institutions
226 Social Impact of Mass Media
240 Modes of Film Communication
287 Advertising as Social Communication
297E Special Topic: Popular Culture and Cultural Studies
397T Special Topic: Contemporary World Cinema
4. Seven additional courses (21 credits minimum). At least 15 credits (five courses, including 375) of the total 36 credits for the major must be at the 300 level or above, and must include at least three credits from courses numbered at the 400 level or above.
Each semester a number of Special Topics (COMM 297, 397, 497, or 597) and Seminar (COMM 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 591, 592, 593, 594, or 595) courses may also be used as electives.
Please note the following restrictions:
1. All major courses must be taken for a letter grade, not Pass/Fail.
2. Only three credits of COMM 396 Independent Study may be used within the 36 credits of departmental requirements.
3. General practicum (UMASS 298Y) credits may not be counted toward the major.
4. Students must take a minimum of 21 credits (seven courses) within the Department of Communication to be eligible for graduation as a Communication major.
A maximum of 15 credits (five courses) taken at other schools or from other departments and programs at the University of Massachusetts may be counted toward the major. These courses must be directly related to the Communication major, and must receive prior approval for major credit from the Director of Undergraduate Studies or the Chief Adviser.
5. A minimum GPA of 2.000 in the major is required for graduation.
6. Only 6 credits of production courses may be applied toward the 36-credit department requirement.
