Communication Studies Major, B.A./B.S.

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College of Liberal Arts >> Communication and Media

39 hours; C or better required in all major courses; 2.25 major GPA required

Communication Studies connects two important aspects of a USI education: the liberal arts and the professional preparation. By incorporating writing, speaking, and computer-mediated communications across the curriculum, the Communication Studies program explores communication in various contexts and forms.

Communication Studies faculty work with students so they can meet the current needs of business and industry leaders who demand that college graduates demonstrate effective communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and leadership experience in addition to the ability to think critically and conceptually. Students emerge from the major in communication studies as proficient, critical consumers and producers of messages and interactions at the personal, social, civic, and professional levels.

Graduates pursue various careers. Many work in corporate communication, mass media, sales, retail management, non-profit organizations, human resources, corporate training programs, government agencies, and the healthcare industry, while others own businesses or attend graduate school.

Required Courses (18 hours)

CMST 101 - Introduction to Public Speaking Credits: 3
CMST 107 - Introduction to Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3
CMST 201 - Introduction to Communication Studies Credits: 3
CMST 203 - Introduction to Performance Studies Credits: 3
CMST 204 - Business and Professional Communication Credits: 3
CMST 301 - Communication Criticism and Analysis Credits: 3

Electives (21 hours)

As directed by advisor.

CMST 214 - Group and Team Communication Credits: 3
CMST 286 - Visual Rhetoric and Culture Credits: 3
CMST 302 - Gender, Communication, and Culture Credits: 3
CMST 303 - Introduction to Persuasion Credits: 3
CMST 308 - Rhetoric and Diversity Credits: 3
CMST 313 - Advanced Performance Studies Credits: 3
CMST 314 - Organizational Communication Credits: 3
CMST 315 - Readers Theatre Credits: 3
CMST 317 - Intercultural Communication Credits: 3
CMST 318 - Conflict Resolution Credits: 3
CMST 321 - Communication and Workplace Relationships Credits: 3
CMST 323 - Communicating to Manage and Lead Credits: 3
CMST 327 - Communication and Healthcare Credits: 3
CMST 331 - Contemporary Public Address Credits: 3
CMST 386 - American Cinema and Culture Credits: 3
CMST 400 - Independent Study in Communication Studies Credits: 1-3
CMST 414 - Oral Traditions Credits: 3
CMST 427 - Family Communication Credits: 3
CMST 433 - Philosophy of Communication Credits: 3
CMST 489 - Internship in Communication Studies Credits: 1-3
The following courses are repeatable with different topics, but no more than 6 hrs of each course can apply toward the major:
CMST 410 - Seminar in Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3
CMST 420 - Seminar in Organizational Communication Credits: 3
CMST 430 - Seminar in Rhetoric Credits: 3
CMST 440 - Seminar in Performance Studies Credits: 3
CMST 499 - Special Topics in Communication Studies Credits: 3

Additional Information

At least 18 hours in the major must be completed at the 300 and 400 level; at least six hours must be completed at the 400-level. For directed electives, no more than six hours may be taken from a combination of CMST 400 and CMST 489 . For an internship, the student must seek permission of the Communication and Media faculty and have second semester junior standing. Some upper-level CMST courses are offered biennially.