Communication Studies Major
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Description
The communication studies major takes a broad approach, giving students a varied background in speech communication, media studies, and public relations. Students will learn how to write and listen effectively, as well as acquire skills in presentation, understand the role of communication in various settings, identify theories and models of communication, and be conversant in mass media concepts and practices including publicity and promotion. A communication studies major prepares students for a wide variety of careers in such fields as journalism, television and radio broadcasting, education, public relations, and law.
Learning Outcomes
A successful communication studies graduate is expected to:
- Present effective messages for diverse interpersonal, small group, public, and mass audiences;
- Articulate relevant professional ethical standards in communication;
- Identify, analyze, and articulate significant theories and models of communication.
Curriculum Requirements
Students must complete communication studies core courses (21 credits) as well as 15 credits in one of three concentrations for a total of 36 credits. At least 18 credits in the major must be at the 3000/4000 level.
General Education Requirements (30 credits)
Students are required to complete 30 credit hours as part of the General Education Program.
Communication Studies Major Requirements (36 credits)
Core Courses (21 credits)
Select 21 credits from the following courses:
COMM 2100 Mass Media (3 credits)
COMM 2900 Research Methods in Communication (3 credits)
COMM 3110 Communication Theory (3 credits)
COMM 3600 Persuasion (3 credits)
COMM 4900 Special Topics in Communication (3 credits)
HUMN 3010 Communication Traditions (3 credits)
PHIL 3010 Ethical Issues in Communication
(3 credits)
SPCH 1010 Public Speaking (3 credits)
SPCH 2000 Fundamentals of Human Communication (3 credits)
Concentrations (15 credits)
Select one of the following areas of concentration:
Media Studies Concentration (15 credits)
Select 15 credits from the following courses:
COMM 2010 Introduction to Print Journalism (3 credits)
COMM 2200 Introduction to Broadcast Journalism (3 credits)
COMM 3100 Gendered Images in Popular Culture (3 credits)
COMM 3500 Media Regulation (3 credits)
COMM 4500 Media and Cultural Studies (3 credits)
COMM 4950 Internship in Communication (3 credits)
THEA 2025 Performance
for Film and Television (3 credits)
THEA 2200 Vocal
Articulation for Media and Stage (3 credits)
Maximum of 3 credits from the following courses:
FILM 3040 Women and Film (3 credits)
FILM 3050 Literature and Film (3 credits)
FILM 3060 Film Noir (3 credits)
FILM 3100 Black Cinema (3 credits)
FILM 4000 History of Film (3 credits)
FILM 4500 Major Directors (3 credits)
FILM 4900 Special Topics in Film (3 credits)
Public Relations Concentration (15 credits)
Complete the following courses:
COMM 3200 Principles of Public Relations (3 credits)
COMM 3500 Media Regulation (3 credits)
COMM 4000 Writing for Public Relations (3 credits)
Select 6 credits from the following courses:
COMM 4500 Media and Cultural Studies (3 credits)
COMM 4950 Internship in Communication (3 credits)
SPCH 3120 Speech
Communication for the Professions (3 credits)
Speech Communication Concentration (15 credits)
Select 15 credits from the following courses:
COMM 2300 Intercultural Communication (3 credits)
COMM 3050 Performance Studies (3 credits)
COMM 4500 Media and Cultural Studies (3 credits)
SPCH 2020 Argument and Debate (3 credits)
SPCH 3120 Speech Communication for the Professions (3 credits)
THEA 2025 Performance
for Film and Television (3 credits)
THEA 2200 Vocal
Articulation for Media and Stage (3 credits)
The academic program and curriculum requirements listed on this page are from the 2009-2010 edition of the NSU Undergraduate Student Catalog. Students are bound by policies and curricula published in the catalog in effect the semester they enter the university, unless an agreement is made with appropriate NSU administration officials allowing them to abide by policies published in a later catalog.

