Curriculum

The Bachelor of Science in Communication degree program consists of 182 credits.  Click here to download a printable course checklist.

Communication Core Courses:
Theory Sequence
ANTH 410	Cultural Theory	3.00 credits
COM 111	Principles of Communication	3.00 credits
COM 210	Theory and Models of Communication	3.00 credits
SOC 260	Classical Social Theory	3.00 credits
Methods Sequence
COM 220	Qualitative Research Methods	3.00 credits
SOC 250	Research Methods I	3.00 credits
SOC 364	Computer-Assisted Data Analysis	3.00 credits
Additional Core Requirements
COM 230	Techniques of Speaking	3.00 credits
COM 240	New Technologies In Communication	3.00 credits
PHIL 305	Communication Ethics	3.00 credits

Corporate and Public Relations Concentration Courses
COM 260	Fundamentals of Journalism	3.00 credits
COM 270	Business Communication	3.00 credits
COM 280	Public Relations	3.00 credits
COM 281	Advanced Public Relations	3.00 credits
COM 330	Professional Presentations	3.00 credits
COM 380	Special Topics in Communication Theory	3.00 credits

Other Program Requirements
MKTG 301	Introduction to Marketing Management	4.00 credits
OR
LING 101	Introduction to Linguistics	3.00 credits
ORGB 300	Organizational Behavior	4.00 credits
PHIL 105	Critical Reasoning	3.00 credits
OR
LING 102	Language and Society	3.00 credits

Two Audio-Visual courses
COM 335	Electronic Publishing	3.00 credits
COM 340	Desktop Publishing	3.00 credits
Communication electives (any six courses with a COM rubric at the 300-level or higher) 18 credits

Required General Courses
ANTH 101	Introduction to Cultural Diversity	3.00 credits
OR
ANTH 110	Human Past: Anthropology and Prehistoric Archeology	3.00 credits
COM 150	Mass Media and Society	3.00 credits
ENGL 101	Expository Writing and Reading	3.00 credits
ENGL 102	Persuasive Writing and Reading	3.00 credits
ENGL 103	Analytical Writing and Reading	3.00 credits
PSCI 100	Introduction to Political Science	4.00 credits
PSY 101	General Psychology I	3.00 credits
SOC 101	Introduction to Sociology	3.00 credits
Economics elective
Fine Arts elective
Two History electives
Philosophy Elective
One of the science sequences:
BIO 102	Biology I: Cells and Tissues	4.00 credits
BIO 104	Biology II: Growth and Heredity	4.00 credits
OR
CHEM 111	General Chemistry I	4.00 credits
CHEM 112	General Chemistry II	4.00 credits
OR
PHYS 103	General Physics I	4.00 credits
PHYS 104	General Physics II	4.00 credits
One of the following math sequences:
MATH 101	Introduction to Analysis I	4.00 credits
MATH 102	Introduction to Analysis II	4.00 credits
OR
MATH 121	Calculus I	4.00 credits
MATH 122	Calculus II	4.00 credits
One English course from each of the following sets:
ENGL 201	Renaissance to the Enlightenment	3.00 credits
ENGL 202	Romanticism to Modernism	3.00 credits
ENGL 203	Post-Colonial Lit I	3.00 credits
ENGL 204	Post-Colonial Lit II	3.00 credits
One of the following History courses:
HIST 220	History of American Business	3.00 credits
HIST 280	History of Science I	3.00 credits
HIST 281	History of Science II	3.00 credits
HIST 285	Technology in Historical Perspective	3.00 credits

ElectivesCulture electives (any two courses with a SOC or ANTH rubric. At least one must be at the 200-level or higher) 6 credits

Free electives - 30 credits

Course Descriptions

ANTH 410 Cultural Theory - 3.00 credits

Explores controversial issues and questions, such as sociobiology and what it means to be human, as they have been and are being studied by those concerned with human origins and development. Reviews major thinkers in the history and theory of anthropology, including modernists and postmodernists.

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COM 111 Principles of Communication - 3.00 credits

Explores the importance of communication in organizational settings. Includes assessment of appropriate modes of communication, including written, spoken, and electronic.

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COM 210 Theory and Models of Communication - 3.00 credits

Surveys historical and contemporary attempts to understand the process of human communication, using examples from the literature of interpersonal, group, organizational, and mass communication.

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SOC 260 Classical Social Theory - 3.00 credits

Critically examines the ideas of the classical sociological theorists (e.g., Marx, Durkheim, and Weber). This is a writing intensive course.

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COM 220 Qualitative Research Methods - 3.00 credits

This course provides a detailed investigation of the nature, application, analysis and write up of qualitative research in communication and the social sciences, including such topics as ethnography, in-depth interviews, focus groups, participant observation, and narrative analysis.

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SOC 250 Research Methods I - 3.00 credits

Covers research design, including ethics of research, sampling, survey research, interviewing, field experiments, and content analysis. Involves multidisciplinary examples and application in seminar format with student production of original projects.

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SOC 364 Computer-Assisted Data Analysis - 3.00 credits

This course uses the computer as a tool in organizing and manipulating a numerical database, as well as in performing statistical analyses. Simulation and modeling may also be covered.

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COM 230 Techniques of Speaking - 3.00 credits

A workshop course in improving public speaking skills. Provides experience in speeches of explanation, persuasion, and argument.

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COM 240 New Technologies In Communication - 3.00 credits

Provides an overview and survey of the changes taking place in the technologies of information production, distribution, storage, and display, including the interaction of these changes with legal, social, cultural, and communications systems.

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PHIL 305 Communication Ethics - 3.00 credits

Ethical analysis of current laws and legislation aimed at regulating speech in the context of mass communications (radio, television and film). Offered winter and summer quarters.

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COM 260 Fundamentals of Journalism - 3.00 credits

Photojournalism is a particular form of journalism that creates images in order to tell a news story. Photojournalism provides a more complex and fully human way of capturing, describing and explaining to others what words often fail to do. With the new age of Digital Photography, photojournalism has become almost instant. Photographs can evoke a range of human feelings-dignity, integrity, shame, industry, integrity, pain, or joy-far beyond verbal linguistic description. Photojournalism as an art has developed into a new form of photographs for web slide shows and video. It shows the students the importance of digital photography and the correct ways to use it. Students will be expected go attend off campus events at times other than the scheduled class time as needed. Three credit hours. Prerequestites: None. Offered as needed.

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COM 270 Business Communication - 3.00 credits

Covers the writing of business letters, resumes, memos, proposals, and reports. This is a writing intensive course.

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COM 280 Public Relations - 3.00 credits

The course focuses on the principles of public relations. It introduces students to theory and practice of PR taught in the context of real life material and situations. The course also covers main public relations techniques, tools, and types of publics.

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COM 281 Advanced Public Relations - 3.00 credits

This course will focus on advanced aspects of public relations: how to analyze, plan, and conduct public relations campaigns systematically and scientifically. A great deal of attention will be paid to the analysis of real life public relations cases. At the end of the course students create full-scale PR plans, including budget and media material.

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COM 330 Professional Presentations - 3.00 credits

A study and implementation of current television production methods and equipment. Students learn the basic concepts of shooting, editing, lighting, producing and directing television program material. Student will also be introduced to the concept of producing video material for the Internet. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: COM 130 Broadcasting: Principles and Practices. Offered as needed.

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COM 380 Special Topics in Communication Theory - 3.00 credits

Provides advanced communication studies covering various subjects in interpersonal, group, organizational, and mass communication. May be taken for credit twice.

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MKTG 301 Introduction to Marketing Management - 4.00 credits

Provides a conceptual and applications-oriented framework for marketing decision-making in a dynamic environment. Emphasizes satisfying target customers and achieving organizational objectives through skillful blending of strategies in product development, pricing, promotion, and distribution.

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LING 101 Introduction to Linguistics - 3.00 credits

Introduces major topics in the study of language, including language acquisition, language change, the social use of language, and the analysis of discourse, and teaches basic techniques in linguistic analysis through the use of a wide variety of language data.

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ORGB 300 Organizational Behavior - 4.00 credits

Provides conceptual understanding of various principles of management and organizational processes and the opportunity for skill-building in the areas of individual, interpersonal, and intergroup organizational behaviors. This is a writing intensive course.

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PHIL 105 Critical Reasoning - 3.00 credits

Introduces and develops the skills involved in reasoning effectively about experience, and being able to distinguish strong arguments form weak ones.

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LING 102 Language and Society - 3.00 credits

Develops understanding of how language is involved with relations of class, ethnicity, gender and aesthetics in society. The course covers the social investigation of language use, politeness in languages, different varieties of English dialects, slang, and rap, bilingualism and languages in immigrant communities, and language planning.

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COM 335 Electronic Publishing - 3.00 credits

Electronic Publishing gives students applied and theoretical knowledge of professional electronic publishing. Students will focus on issues relating to writing and integrating text and graphics to create websites and on-line publications. Students will also consider how issues in document design and usability can be used to evaluate websites.

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COM 340 Desktop Publishing - 3.00 credits

Covers production of publications using desktop publishing software, including planning, writing, designing, and budgeting of institutional magazines, newsletters, manuals, and brochures. Requires students to design several pieces (letterheads and flyers).

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ANTH 101 Introduction to Cultural Diversity - 3.00 credits

Examines the diversity that exists in human culture. Uses lectures, films, and discussions to examine and illustrate the relationship between humans and their social/cultural systems.

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ANTH 110 Human Past: Anthropology and Prehistoric Archeology - 3.00 credits

Examines human origins from the australopithecines to the present, including both the physiological and archaeological records. Discusses new finds and new interpretations of evolution.

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COM 150 Mass Media and Society - 3.00 credits

The purpose of this course is to introduce media undergraduates to the process of promotion. Each element of the promotional mix--advertising, public relations, sales promotion, and personal selling--is discussed within the framework of integrated marketing communications. Three credit hours. Offered Spring semester (d).

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ENGL 101 Expository Writing and Reading - 3.00 credits

Develops students' abilities to read and write expository academic discourse. Teaches students how to read with understanding; how to access print and technological sources; how to research, plan, draft, revise, and edit academic essays and reports. Requires students to write expository essay and to keep a journal to express their responses to material read and study in the course.

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ENGL 102 Persuasive Writing and Reading - 3.00 credits

Develops students' abilities to read and write persuasive academic discourse. Teaches students to think and read critically, to evaluate and use print and technological sources effectively, and to present a written argument effectively. Requires students to write persuasive essays and research papers and to keep a journal to express their responses to material read and studied in the course.

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ENGL 103 Analytical Writing and Reading - 3.00 credits

Develops students' skills in critical and analytical reading and writing through a study of literature. Teaches students techniques to help them understand and appreciate literature. Requires students to read, analyze, and write essays and research papers about selected works of poetry, drama, and fiction and to keep a journal to express their responses to the literature studied.

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PSCI 100 Introduction to Political Science - 4.00 credits

Studies the political process, which determines who gets what, when, and how in society.

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PSY 101 General Psychology I - 3.00 credits

Students are introduced to the scientific study of human behavior. Special attention is given to the biological, psychological, and social processes underlying human behavior within the framework of modern psychological research. Offered fall and spring. 3 credits

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SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology - 3.00 credits

Examines principles underlying human interaction in simple technological societies, including learning and development of social roles; development and meaning of culture and social organizations; and special institutions in the society, such as the family, class structure, and power structure.

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BIO 102 Biology I: Cells and Tissues - 4.00 credits

Covers function of cells and tissues at the molecular, cellular, and organ level, with emphasis on human physiology.

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BIO 104 Biology II: Growth and Heredity - 4.00 credits

This course for non-majors provides an appreciation of living organisms and their environments. Topics include evolution, genetics, ecology, reproduction, development of animals, and selected elements of plant science. Application of theory is stressed. Three hours lecture, two hours lab. May be taken without a lab (3 credits). Prerequisite: BIO 103. Lab fee. Offered spring. 4 credits

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CHEM 111 General Chemistry I - 4.00 credits

Not open to engineering or science majors. Introduces the principles of general chemistry. Covers SI units, unit factor calculations, states of matter, elements and compounds, energy, atoms, electronic configurations, ionic and covalent bonds, Lewis dot structures, shapes of molecules, chemical equations, stoichiometry, molarity, gas laws, nuclear chemistry, equilibrium between different states of matter, and some colligative properties of solutions.

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CHEM 112 General Chemistry II - 4.00 credits

Introduces organic chemistry. Covers some classes of organic compounds from alkanes to amines, basic reactions of important functional groups, uses of some compounds, stereochemistry, synthetic and natural polymers (carbohydrates, protein, DNA), and briefly acids and bases.

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PHYS 103 General Physics I - 4.00 credits

Algebra-based course that covers force, motion, work, energy properties of matter, and wave motion and sound propagation.

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PHYS 104 General Physics II - 4.00 credits

Algebra-based course that covers electricity and applications, magnetism, and optics.

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MATH 101 Introduction to Analysis I - 4.00 credits

Covers linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic functions; systems of linear equations; elementary linear programming; matrix algebra; inverse; and mathematics of finance.

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MATH 102 Introduction to Analysis II - 4.00 credits

Covers limits, continuity, derivatives, indefinite and definite integrals, and applications.

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MATH 121 Calculus I - 4.00 credits

Functions, limits and continuity, derivatives, trancendental functions, and applications.

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MATH 122 Calculus II - 4.00 credits

Definite integrals, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, integration techniques, applications of integration, numerical integration and differential equations.

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ENGL 201 Renaissance to the Enlightenment - 3.00 credits

A survey of Western literature from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment, focusing on works by Cervantes, Erasmus, Rabelais, Petrarch, Voltaire, Rousseau, Swift and Pope.

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ENGL 202 Romanticism to Modernism - 3.00 credits

A survey of Western literature of the 19th and 20th centuries focusing on the major periods of Romanticism (Blake, Coleridge and Keats), Realism (Balzac and Ibsen), and Modernism (Kafka, Borges and Woolf). This is a writing intensive course.

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ENGL 203 Post-Colonial Lit I - 3.00 credits

A survey of nonwestern literatures produced before the modern era in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, representing the more important periods and genres. This is a writing intensive course.

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ENGL 204 Post-Colonial Lit II - 3.00 credits

A survey of nonwestern literatures written in the 20th century by writers from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, and focusing on the effects of social, aesthetic and contemporary events on artistic creation.

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HIST 220 History of American Business - 3.00 credits

Examines the development of business in the United States from the 1870s to the present. Emphasizes the evolving structure of business enterprise, business/government relations, business in an international context, and business and American culture.

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HIST 280 History of Science I - 3.00 credits

Covers the development of the scientific ideas of Newton, with emphasis on the nature of science and scientific method. Provides an opportunity for students to pursue their own interests.

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HIST 281 History of Science II - 3.00 credits

Covers scientific ideas from Newton to the early 20th century, including cultural influences on science and relationships between science and technology. Centers on student interests.

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HIST 285 Technology in Historical Perspective - 3.00 credits

Examines the causal interrelations between technological progress and developments in economic, social, intellectual, and political aspects of Western civilization from the 18th century to the present.

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