Communication Studies, BA

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Program Description:

The Department of Communication offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree. Communication students gain an understanding of human communication through the acquisition of skills in speaking, writing, and critical thinking.

The Bachelor of Arts in communication is suitable for students who wish to enter a communication-related career or for individuals interested in personal development. The department offers majors in mass communication, organizational communication, and communication studies. Study in organizational communication is appropriate for students seeking careers in training and development or other organizational communication specialties. Study in mass communication is appropriate for students interested in journalism, media management and production, and public relations. The communication studies program allows students to select courses from all of the communication majors to meet their specific needs.

The communication major can expect to take both theoretical and practical courses and to study communication from both the traditional point of view and through experience. Consequently, students are advised to take advantage of the communication activities in the department, college, and university. These activities include cable television, WWSU-FM radio station, The Guardian (student newspaper), the Public Relations Club, cooperative education, and involvement in Dayton area professional organizations.

Degree Requirements-Communication

Bachelor of Arts Degree

The major in communication is for students interested in personal development or a career in education, industry, government, or the media. Communication majors are expected to achieve basic proficiency in communication skills and to master the essentials of communication theory. All communication majors must take 12 hours of required courses, as well as a minimum of 43 additional hours in communication. All communication majors are encouraged to participate in communication activities outside the university. To be admitted as majors, students must have at least a 2.5 GPA.

Communication Major Curricula

Communication Studies

The communication studies major is designed to develop broadly trained students in the liberal arts. Students are encouraged to develop their abilities as effective communicators and as informed critical receivers. The communication studies major affords students maximum freedom of choice in designing their programs of study and areas of specialization.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Communicate effectively with both written and oral skills
Analyze from a social scientific perspective how humans create, transmit, receive and respond to messages. In particular intrapersonal and interpersonal communication is the emphasis of study for this degree
Demonstrate mathematical literacy.
Evaluate arguments and evidence critically.
Apply the methods of the social sciences, natural sciences, and the arts and humanities.
Demonstrate global and multicultural competencies.
Demonstrate understanding of contemporary social and ethical issues.
Participate in democratic society as informed and civically engaged citizens.

Program Requirements:

I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours

Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours

Element 2: Mathematics: 3 Hours

Element 3: Global Traditions: 6 Hours

Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours

Element 5: Social Sciences: 6 Hours

Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours

Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours

Required:

COM 1010 - Essentials of Public Address Credit Hour(s): 3

II. Departmental Requirements: 37 Hours

COM 1040 - Introduction to Human Communication Credit Hour(s): 3
COM 1520 - Mass Communication Credit Hour(s): 3
COM 2020 - Interpersonal Communication Credit Hour(s): 3
COM 2410 - Small-Group Communication Credit Hour(s): 3
COM 2460 - Organizational Communication Credit Hour(s): 3
COM 3330 - Persuasion and Rhetorical Theory Credit Hour(s): 3 or
COM 3700 - Dispute Resolution Credit Hour(s): 3
COM 4320 - Race, Class and Gender in Communication Credit Hour(s): 3 or
COM 4570 - Intercultural Communication Credit Hour(s): 3
COM 4470 - Communication Relationships in Organizations Credit Hour(s): 3
COM 4490 - Survey of Communication Research Credit Hour(s): 3
COM 4250 - Health Communication Credit Hour(s): 3
COM 4430 - Interviewing Credit Hour(s): 3
COM 4710 - Topics in Communication Credit Hour(s): 3
COM 4330 - Internship Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3

III. Related Requirements

IV. College Requirements: 18 Hours

Foreign Language: 12 Hours

Through 2020 level (1010, 1020, 2010, 2020) of one language:

Spanish, French, German, Greek, Latin, Chinese, Russian, Italian, Japanese, American Sign Language or other.

Methods of Inquiry

PHL 3000 - Critical Thinking Credit Hour(s): 3
Research Methods - One course from approved list Credit Hour(s): 3

V. Electives: 31 Hours

Total: 124 Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.