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[College of Communication and Information Sciences]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES (COM)

Dr. Marsha Houston, Chairperson
Office: 203 Phifer Hall

A total of 120 hours is required for graduation. Thirty-three of these hours must be in courses at the 300 or 400 level.

Core Curriculum and General Education Requirements

I. Freshman composition (FC): 6 hours	EN 101 (3), EN 102 (3)
or by exam
II. Humanities (HU) and fine arts (FA):
12 hours	fine arts (3), English literature (3)
COM 1211 or COM 1221 (3), COM 1231 (3), HU or FA (3)
III. Natural science (N) and mathematics (MA):
11 hours	natural science (4), natural science (4)
mathematics (3)
IV. History (HI) and social/behavioral sciences (SB): 12 hours	history sequence (6)
SB (6)
V. Premajor requirements: 12-14 hours	COM 1001 (3), COM 1011 (3)
foreign language or computer science2 (6-8)

ADDITIONAL UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA CORE REQUIREMENTS

Writing (W)¹: 6 hours

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

12 hours at the 300 or 400 level outside COM

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¹These courses are cross-listed into the major.
²"C" courses require a prerequisite programming course that does not fulfill University Core Curriculum requirements.

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Requirements for the Major in Communication Studies

A minimum of 36 hours of courses in communication studies is required for the major, with a minimum of 21 hours in the major at the 300-400 level and a minimum of 33 total hours at the 300-400 level. No more than 45 hours in communication studies may be included in the hours required for graduation.

The program of instruction, to be planned in consultation with a faculty advisor, is as follows:

1. Foundation courses (3 hours)
       Either COM 100 Rhetoric and Society
           or COM 101 Principles of Human Communication

   NOTE: Although communication studies majors are required to take either COM 100 or COM 101, the department strongly recommends that they take both courses.

2. Introduction to theory and analysis (3 hours)
       COM 300 Human Communication Analysis and Criticism or
       COM 310 Rhetorical Criticism

3. Introductory performance courses (3 hours)
       Choose ONE of the following:
       COM 104 Forensics (open to UA Forensics Team students only)
       COM 121/COM 122 Critical Decision Making
       COM 123 Public Speaking
       COM 210 Oral Interpretation
   COM 225 Small Group Communication

4. Capstone seminar (3 hours)
       COM 499 Capstone Seminar

5. Elective courses (minimum 24 hours)
   Through the selection of elective courses, communication studies majors may emphasize one of the following areas of study: rhetoric and prelaw; political communication; communication and culture; or organizational and interpersonal communication. Students should be aware that the courses listed under each emphasis area below are recommendations, not requirements. Each student should plan his or her individual course of study with the guidance of a departmental advisor.

Rhetoric and Prelaw

This emphasis area focuses on argumentation, the effective construction and critical analysis of persuasive messages, and the role of rhetoric in constructing, sustaining, and changing the social order. It is an ideal preprofessional emphasis for students interested in careers in the legal profession; prelaw students should prepare broadly for a legal career, and this emphasis area is one means of accomplishing this preparation. Recommended minors for students who choose this emphasis area include American studies, African-American studies, criminal justice, English, history, philosophy, journalism, political science, telecommunication and film, and women's studies.

Recommended electives (minimum 24 hours)
COM 323 Advanced Public Speaking
COM 341 Rhetoric and American Politics
    or COM 342 Rhetoric of Social Protest
COM 348 Argumentation
COM 413 Communication & Diversity
COM 460 Group Leadership
COM 462 Theories of Persuasion
COM 469 Communication & Gender
COM 467 Seminar in Public Address
COM 490 Internship
COM 295, COM 395, or COM 495 Special Topics

Political Communication

This area focuses on the communication theories and practices evident in political discourse, artifacts, and campaigns. Attention is given to such areas of analysis and practice as public speaking, argumentation and debate, speech writing, and the role of media in politics and political campaigns. This is an appropriate emphasis for students interested in careers in any aspect of politics and public service. Recommended minors for students who choose this emphasis area include advertising and public relations, American studies, African-American studies, journalism, economics, history, political science, sociology, telecommunication and film, and women's studies.

Recommended electives (minimum 24 hours)
COM 323 Advanced Public Speaking
COM 341 Rhetoric and American Politics
COM 342 Rhetoric of Social Protest
COM 348 Argumentation
COM 421 Political Communication
COM 425 Gender and Politics
COM 460 Group Leadership
COM 462 Theories of Persuasion
COM 490 Internship
COM 295, COM 395, or COM 495 Special Topics

Communication and Culture

This emphasis area explores public communication in a wide variety of contexts and settings. The focus is on the influence of rhetoric and visual communication on individuals, communities, and the larger social world. Students interested in careers involving community or social change or human services (e.g., the ministry), or in postgraduate study in communication studies or media studies should consider this emphasis. Recommended minors for students who choose this emphasis area include anthropology; advertising and public relations; American studies; African-American studies; apparel and textiles; art history; English/creative writing; international studies; journalism; modern languages; religious studies; telecommunication and film; theatre; and women's studies.

Recommended electives (minimum 24 hours)
COM 100 Rhetoric and Society
COM 220 Interpersonal Communication
COM 342 Rhetoric of Social Protest
COM 413 Communication & Diversity
COM 415 The Rhetoric of Malcolm X and the Civil Rights Movement
COM 425 Gender and Politics
COM 463 Relational Communication
COM 467 Seminar in Public Address
COM 469 Communication and Gender
COM 295, COM 395, or COM 495 Special Topics

Organizational and Interpersonal Communication

The focus of this area is on knowledge and skills vital to successful communication in organizational, group, family, and other interpersonal settings. Emphases include cultural, social, and cognitive influences on personal and professional interaction and such skills as conflict resolution, small group problem-solving, interviewing, and intercultural communication. It is appropriate for students interested in professional and administrative careers in business, educational, human services, or media organizations. Recommended minors for students who choose this emphasis area include advertising and public relations, general business, consumer sciences, economics, human development and family studies, international studies, journalism, management, psychology, real estate, sociology, social work, world business, and telecommunication and film.

Recommended electives (minimum 24 hours)
COM 220 Interpersonal Communication
COM 350 Organizational Communication
COM 352 Business and Professional Communication
COM 450 Advanced Organizational Communication
COM 460 Group Leadership
COM 413 Communication and Diversity
COM 463 Relational Communication
COM 469 Communication and Gender
COM 490 Internship
COM 295, COM 395, or COM 495 Special Topics

Requirements for the Minor in Communication Studies

The minor in communication studies requires 21 hours of coursework in the department, including COM 100 or COM 101 and at least 6 hours at the 300 or 400 level. A grade of "C-" or higher is required in all communication studies courses counted toward the minor.

Sample Curriculum for the Major in Communication Studies

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