Requirements

Degree Requirements

This major is available as a bachelor of arts degree only, as defined in the section on degree requirements for all majors in this catalog.

Major Requirements

39 credits

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
COMM 130	INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION	3
COMM 140	PUBLIC SPEAKING	3
COMM 220	PERFORMING LITERATURE	3
COMM 230	INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION: GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES	3
COMM 255	COMMUNICATION: INTERACTION AND ADVOCACY	4
COMM 340	PERSUASION AND SOCIAL INFLUENCE	4
COMM 455	RHETORICAL THEORY AND CRITICISM	4
COMM 476	SENIOR SEMINAR	3
Select two of the following:		6
COMM 233	MULTICULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN THE UNITED STATES
COMM/GENS 332	GENDERED COMMUNICATION
COMM 335	NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
COMM 430	TOPICS IN HUMAN COMMUNICATION
Select two of the following:		6
COMM/GENS 353	TOPICS IN WOMEN'S RHETORIC
COMM 355	TOPICS IN AMERICAN PUBLIC ADDRESS
COMM 420	TOPICS IN PERFORMANCE STUDIES
THTR 181	ACTING I
Total Credits		39

Students must earn a grade of C- or higher in courses meeting major requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Through the pursuit of a major in communication arts, students will have opportunities to:

Learn to create and deliver articulate, reasoned, and ethical messages as demonstrated by

1. employing critical thinking skills in the formation of arguments;
2. using competent verbal and nonverbal communication skills;
3. applying high ethical standards in their conduct as senders and receivers of messages.

Gain an understanding of the general theory and practice of communication across public, relational, intercultural, political, and mediated contexts as demonstrated by

1. explaining the nature and process of theoretical inquiry;
2. critically analyzing messages using a theoretical framework;
3. describing and using principles and techniques that may be employed to improve communication effectiveness.

Explore the multicultural dimensions of communication by investigating communication practices across cultures as well as culture specific communication patterns as demonstrated by

1. explaining the contingent nature of cultural patterns and value orientations;
2. analyzing cultural differences as they affect and are affected by the process of communication.

Acquire the skills necessary to function as mindful, creative, and responsible citizens who grasp the ambiguity of diverse communication situations as demonstrated by

1. articulating an understanding of one’s identity within a complex society;
2. employing engaged listening skills in a variety of social contexts;
3. explaining empathy and applying this concept in social interactions.

The goals are the same for students pursuing majors and minors with the recognition that minors will not attain the depth of study in the discipline afforded majors.