Departmental Options
Interested students may elect a special option within Communication Studies. Enrollment in an option is not required. Communication Studies offers three options;
organizational communication option
The organizational communication option focuses on the internal and external affairs of a variety of types of organizations and institutions, including businesses, governmental agencies, health care providers, labor unions, educational systems, religious groups, non-profit advocacy groups, social movements, and so forth. The course work in this area includes offerings of a more theoretical and historical nature and courses with a more practical skill-building orientation. Both are important to a well-rounded understanding of the world of work today, as they are to the development of citizenship within a complex organizational society.
Students in the Organizational Communication option must fulfill all the core requirements in Communication Studies (COMM 110S, 111A, 230S, 250L, 460, and a course in statistics). In addition, students must take at least 4 courses from the following: COMM 240, 321, 322, 420, 412, 451, or approved special topics classes (that is, an approved class numbered 295, 395, or 495).
Students in the Organizational Communication Option must also complete 4 courses outside of COMM from the following list:ANTH 220, BADM 100S, MGMT 340S, 344, 368, 440, MKTG 360, 363, SOC 110S, 306S, SOC 320, PSC 361, 460, or other approved course. Courses should be selected in consultation with a department faculty advisor.
communication and human relationships option
The Human Relationships option focuses on communication through face-to-face interaction. It includes the study of basic processes of verbal and nonverbal messages, but also on the complex processes of conflict management, relationship development, lifespan development, gender, and family dynamics. The option is particularly applicable to professional interests pertaining to social services, families, children, aging, and other facets of interpersonal relations and human development.
Students in the Human Relationships option must fulfill all of the core requirements for Communication Studies (COMM 110S, 111A, 230S, 250L, 460, and a course in statistics). In addition, students must take at least 5 courses from the following: COMM 202, 380, 410S, 411, 412, 451 or approved special topics classes (that is, an approved class numbered 295, 395, or 495).
To enhance this option, students are encouraged to minor in Human and Family Development. Moreover, students are required to take at least 4 courses from the following list: AAS 327, ANTH 327, 328S, 446S, C&I 355, HFD 412, NAS 342H, PSYC 116S, 240S, 245, 345, 346, 350S, 358, SOC 210S, 275S, 300, 330S, 340, 395, 421, SW 322S, 422, or other approved course. All courses should be selected in consultation with your faculty advisor.
rhetoric and public discourse option
The Rhetoric and Public Discourse option focuses on the development and analysis of public messages. Courses in this emphasis explore issues of persuasion, argumentation, message composition, and message evaluation. Specific attention is paid to the interplay between social structures and public discourse. Courses emphasize both practical skills and theory. This option is particularly relevant to career positions emphasizing public communication and persuasion in areas such as law, government, and private or nonprofit organizations.
Students in the Rhetoric and Public Discourse option must fulfill all the core requirements for Communication Studies (COMM 110S, 111A, 230S, 250L, 460, and a course in statistics). Students must also take at least 4 courses from the following: COMM 241S, 242, 350, 377, 380, 455, 480, 481, or approved special topics classes (that is, an approved class numbered 295, 395, or 495).
To enhance the option, students must take an additional 4 courses from the following list: ENLT 120L, EVST 167H, 367, 420, 427E, HIST 152H,301H, 335E, 357, 358, 362E, 364E, 370H, 371H, PHIL 210, 211, 429E, 471, PSC 150E, 341, 342, 352, 353, 461, 471, 472, SOC 470, or other approved course. Courses should be selected in consultation with a department faculty advisor.
