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Undergraduate Major & Minor

This program examines human communication using both humanistic and social scientific methods. Fields of study include speechmaking, rhetorical criticism, ethics, interpersonal, small group, organizational, intercultural, and electronic (broadcasting, cable, satellite, Internet) forms of communication.

Table of Contents

• Procedures for Completing an Undergraduate Major
• The Required Major Courses
• Undergraduate Minor Requirements
• Individually Designed Major Concentrations

Procedures for Completing an Undergraduate Major

The Department of Communication Studies offers a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, a Minor in Communication Studies, and a concentration in Communication Studies for students in Individual Degree Programs such as IDIM, BIS, and ICP.

This section outlines the basic procedures for applying for major status and completing the Communication Studies major requirements. This website contains the most up to date information regarding the Communication Studies Major Program. All students are responsible for information regarding their overall degree program as explained in the CLA Undergraduate Bulletin. The next sections outline the following:

1. Procedures for completing a major (B.A.) in Communication Studies
2. Procedures for minors and concentrations for independent degrees
3. Individually designed majors
4. Undergraduate advising services in the department
5. Opportunities for internships, independent study, and directed study
6. Honors opportunities and special awards and recognitions
7. Basic departmental governance and policies

The following is a suggested course of action for students considering or committing to a degree in Communication Studies. For any questions or concerns please contact Professor Ron Greene, Director of Undergraduate Studies (green179@umn.edu) or a member of the undergraduate advising staff.

Undergraduate Advising Office
278 Ford Hall
(612) 624-7036
spchadv@umn.edu

Step One: Declare a major in Communication Studies and file it with the college.

Students seeking to declare a major must first meet with a communication studies adviser in 278 Ford Hall. Students are strongly encouraged to declare their major during the first or second year.

Students must then bring a copy of their major program form to their college advising office (CLA Communications and Media Student Community) in B-16 Johnston Hall.

Step Two: Complete the required course requirements.

There are two foundational, required courses (six credits) which consist of:

• Comm 1101 Introduction to Public Speaking
• Comm 1313W Analysis of Argument

Note: Students must earn a "C-" or better in all major courses in order to complete in the major program. University policy states that a "D" cannot be applied as credit toward the major.

The following section outlines the entire major program:

Department of Communication Studies
Requirements for a Major

Students must complete 120 credits to graduate, including at least 34 credits in the major.  Major requirements include the following:

Required Introductory Courses (six credits)

• Comm 1101 Introduction to Public Speaking
• Comm 1313W Analysis of Argument

At Least Two of the Three Following Core Courses (six credits minimum)

• Comm 3211 Introduction to U.S. Electronic Media
• Comm 3401 Introduction to Communication Theory
• Comm 3601 Introduction to Rhetorical Theory

At Least One of the Following Performative Electives (three credits minimum)

• Comm 3201 Intro to Electronic Media Production (4 cr)
• Comm 3411 Introduction to Small Group Communication
• Comm 3422 Interviewing and Communication
• Comm 3605W Persuasive Speaking and Speech Writing
• Comm 3990 Research Practicum (3 cr required)
• Comm 4452W Intercultural Interaction: Theory and Application

At Least One 4XXX- or 5XXX-Level Communication Studies Course (three credits minimum)

The required senior paper typically will be written during enrollment in a 4xxx- or 5xxx-level communication studies course; however, on occasion it may be possible to write a senior paper in a 3xxx-level communication studies course if the course is taught by a professor and if s/he invites students to write their senior papers in the course.Either way,Comm 3995W, an S/N-only senior paper credit, must be taken during the same semester in which the senior paper is written. Comm 3995W fulfills one of CLA's upper-division writing-intensive requirements.

Additional Communication Studies Electives Taken to Reach the 34-Credit Minimum

Please select from among the following electives not already used to fulfill one of the above requirements:

Important Considerations

• All credits applied to the communication studies major must be taken A/F unless they are only offered S/N.
• Only grades of "C-" or better can be applied to the communication studies major.
• Comm 3110 may be repeated up to four times as long as the course topics differ each time.
• Comm 5110 may be repeated once as long as the course topics differ each time.
• You should subscribe to the Communication Studies Undergraduate Listserv. Please send an email tocom-ug-announce-subscribe@comm.umn.edu and you will be subscribed automatically.

Department of Communication Studies Requirements for a Minor

All students must complete at least 18 credits in the minor. Minor requirements include the following:

One of the Following Introductory Courses (three credits)

• Comm 1101 Introduction to Public Speaking
• Comm 1313W Analysis of Argument

At Least Two of the Three Following Core Courses (six credits minimum)

• Comm 3211 Introduction to U.S. Electronic Media
• Comm 3401 Introduction to Communication Theory
• Comm 3601 Introduction to Rhetorical Theory

At Least One 4XXX- or 5XXX-Level Communication Studies Course (three credits minimum)

Additional Communication Studies Electives (six credits minimum)

Important Considerations

• All credits applied to the communication studies minor must be taken A/F unless they are only offered S/N.
• Only grades of "C-" or better can be applied to the communication studies minor.
• Comm 3110 may be repeated once as long as the course topics differ each time.
• Comm 5110 may be repeated once as long as the course topics differ each time.

Individually Designed Major Concentrations

The Communication Studies Component of individually designed programs (BIS, IDIM, ICP) must be planned in conjunction with and approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Communication Studies. Students doing individually designed programs should contact the department early in the planning process.

At least four (4) prerequisite courses are required for inclusion of Communication Studies in an individually designed major:

1. Select one of the following:
   • Comm 1101: Introduction to Public Speaking
   • Comm 1313: Analysis of Oral Argument
2. Maintain a 2.0 GPA in two of the following three courses:
   • Comm 3211: Introduction to Electronic Media
   • Comm 3401: Introduction to Communication Theory
   • Comm 3601: Introduction to Rhetorical Theory
3. Select one 4xxx or 5xxx level course

Additional courses are planned in conjunction with the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA with passing grades ("D" or better) to successfully complete the Communication Studies portion of the individually designed major. Additionally, if students wish to complete a senior paper within the Communication Studies component, they mush also complete Comm 3995, a one-credit course designed to support completion of the senior paper. Comm 3995 must be taken in conjunction with a 4xxx or 5xxx level Communication Studies course.