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Communication
Degree: Bachelor of Arts Contact: Director of Undergraduate Studies Office: 417 Machmer Phone: 545-3539 Chairperson of Department: Professor Michael Morgan. Professors Bevilacqua, Carbaugh, Cronen, Hanson, Jhally, Lewis, Norden; Associate Professors Anderson, Chang, Cooks, Davis, Geddes, Henderson; Assistant Professors Ciecko, Nelson, Scharrer; Adjunct Professors Brandon, Freeman, Portuges. The Field Communication is the latest social science discipline to emerge; however, it has an ancient heritage. Its emergence is connected with both the search for new perspectives on contemporary problems and the profusion of technologies of communication. This department approaches communication as a discipline which claims a unique perspective informed by its own units of analysis and observation, its own traditions of research, its own theories and applications. To this department, communication is the primary social process. The Major The goal of our undergraduate curriculum is to provide a liberal education with a social science orientation. We do not approach communication as a set of skills and/or techniques; therefore we do not offer an extended program in courses focusing on the development of particular skills, such as TV or film production or public speaking. Any of the courses that deal with a specific practice of communication emphasize understanding the nature of the practice rather than developing a specific skill. For example, the primary goals of the courses in TV production are that students learn the process of producing and the criteria for evaluating a program, with a secondary goal of developing skill in handling equipment in the TV studio. This principle also applies to courses that deal with "public speaking," "persuasion," and "advertising." Our program is an academic one which stresses theories and methods applied to the study of human communication; it is not a "training" program for developing individual skills and techniques. Admission to the Major Admission to the undergraduate major is restricted. Although many first-year and transfer students are admitted directly into the Communication major when they apply for admission to the University, the major is restricted for students already on campus. For students on campus who wish to enter the progam, admission decisions are based primarily on grades in three predictor courses (described below), the student's grade point average at the University, and a personal statement of academic goals, interests, and accomplishments. 1. COMM 118 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication 2. COMM 121 Introduction to Media and Culture 3. One analytical reasoning course, i.e., completion of the General Education R2 requirement. Major Requirements 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: 263 Introduction to Argumentation and Debate 297C Special Topic-Democracy and Discourse 310 Persuasion Theory 312 Cultural Codes in Communication 317 Language in Contemporary Periodicals 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 234 History of Electronic 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. This three-credit maximum also applies to credits taken as COMM 397Z Internship Research Project. 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. 5. A minimum G.P.A. of 2.0 in the major is required for graduation. Internships and International Exchanges Communication majors are encouraged to consider international or domestic exchange programs as excellent opportunities for gaining intercultural experiences and communication instruction from different perspectives. Career Opportunities The Communication curriculum helps prepare students for work as communication specialists in industry; local, state, and federal government agencies; educational institutions; research organizations; political organizations; and religious groups. Specific career options include: production, sales and programming positions for radio and television stations; media and communication advisers in political campaigns; intercultural organizations, non-profit groups, labor unions, and local and state government agencies; preparation for graduate study and work in research organizations; and communication consultants for personnel management, advertising, and sales organizations. | |
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