2023-24 Undergraduate Catalog

Oct 31, 2024

2023-24 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Communication Studies [COM]

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The communication studies major emphasizes critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. Core courses provide students with a strong foundation in all aspects of human communication. Elective courses within the major allow students to design a program of study that meets their personal learning objectives and career goals.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

Demonstrate a broad understanding of various forms of communication as vehicles of human expression.
Identify and conduct themselves as members of the profession. Use ethical guidelines and other professional standards related to the practice of communication.
Apply knowledge and skills of the communication process in the creation of meaningful content appropriate to their area of interest or concentration.

The major's 39 credit hour requirement must be taken from the following:

Communication Studies Core: 21 credit hours

COM 100 - Human Communication (3 cr. hr.)
COM 203 - Introduction to Media Writing (3 cr. hr.)
COM 235 - Introduction to Media Literacy (3 cr. hr.)
COM 210 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3 cr. hr.)
COM 302 - Intercultural Communication (3 cr. hr.)
COM 497 - Communication Studies Teaching Assistant (1-4 cr. hr.)
COM 400 - Communication Law and Ethics (3 cr. hr.)
Select three credit hours from the following:
CPV 400 - Cooperative Education (1-16 cr. hr.)
COM 390 - Participation in Newspaper (1 cr. hr.)
COM 392 - Participation in Magazine (1 cr. hr.)
COM 393 - Participation in Video Production (1 cr. hr.)
COM 394 - Participation in Audio Production (1 cr. hr.)
COM 499 - Senior Thesis (3-6 cr. hr.)

Communication Studies Foundations: 6 credit hours

COM 300 - Interpersonal Communication (3 cr. hr.)
COM 320 - Organizational Communication (3 cr. hr.) or
COM 340 - Small Group Communication (3 cr. hr.)

Theory and Analysis: 3 credit hours

Choose at least one course

COM 230 - Statistical Methods (3 cr. hr.)
COM 301 - Mass Media and Society (3 cr. hr.)
COM 304 - Communication Research (3 cr. hr.)
COM 331 - Issues in News (3 cr. hr.)
COM 333 - Critical and Cultural Analysis in Communication Studies (3 cr. hr.)

Perspectives: 9 credit hours

Nine credit hours of communication studies courses (excluding COM 390, COM 392, COM 393, COM 394) with at least six credit hours at the 300 level or above.

or one of the following concentrations in communication studies.

Concentrations:

Journalism [JOUR]
Popular Culture [POPC]
Public Relations and Advertising [PRAD]

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 120

Example of the B.A. in Communication Studies over four years

The sample program listed is model for communication studies majors with or without a concentration. It does not reflect the expectations for all of the programs. Students should consult an advisor to obtain up-to-date program requirements and to formulate a degree plan.

First Year Fall

COM 100 - Human Communication (3 cr. hr.)
COR 101 - The Cortland Experience: A First Year Seminar (1 cr. hr.)
CPN 100 - Writing Studies I (3 cr. hr.)
Foreign Language 101 (3 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 16

First Year Spring

COM 210 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3 cr. hr.)
CPN 101 - Writing Studies II (3 cr. hr.)
Foreign Language 102 (3 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)
LAS elective (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Second Year Fall

COM 203 - Introduction to Media Writing (3 cr. hr.)
COM 235 - Introduction to Media Literacy (3 cr. hr.)
Foreign Language 201 (3 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)
LAS elective (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours: 15

Second Year Spring

COM 300 - Interpersonal Communication (3 cr. hr.)
COM 302 - Intercultural Communication (3 cr. hr.)
Foreign Language 202 (3 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)
LAS elective (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Third Year Fall

COM 301 - Mass Media and Society (3 cr. hr.)
COM elective (3 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)
WRIT elective (3 cr. hr.)
Experiential learning opportunity (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Third Year Spring

COM 320 - Organizational Communication (3 cr. hr.)
COM 300-level elective (3 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)
LAS elective (3 cr. hr.)
Experiential learning opportunity (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Fourth Year Fall

COM 400 - Communication Law and Ethics (3 cr. hr.)
COM 300-level elective (3 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)
LAS elective (3 cr. hr.)
Experiential learning opportunity (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Fourth Year Spring

COM 499 - Senior Thesis (3-6 cr. hr.)
LAS elective (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (1 cr. hr.)
Experiential learning opportunity (3 cr. hr.)

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Communication Studies [COM]

Student Learning Outcomes

The major's 39 credit hour requirement must be taken from the following:

Communication Studies Core: 21 credit hours

Communication Studies Foundations: 6 credit hours

Theory and Analysis: 3 credit hours

Perspectives: 9 credit hours

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 120

Example of the B.A. in Communication Studies over four years

First Year Fall

Total credit hours for semester: 16

First Year Spring

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Second Year Fall

Total credit hours: 15

Second Year Spring

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Third Year Fall

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Third Year Spring

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Fourth Year Fall

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Fourth Year Spring

Total credit hours for semester: 13