Minors

Minors are available in the department and should be pursued in consultation with an advisor. Students may want to consider their ultimate goals in pursuing a degree and pick a minor that complements their major in obtaining those goals. There are some programs in the department that overlap in requirements and therefore some combinations of majors/minors are not allowed. One example is Media Arts & Studies with Film. Minor designations do not appear on the diploma but appear on the transcript.

Minor in Communication Studies:

Basic communication skills in audience analysis, speech writing, and debate can provide a significant competitive advantage in any career. The minor in Communication Studies combines courses in theory and practice so that students can learn to recognize, understand and use a variety of communication strategies effectively.

Requirements: Students pursuing a minor in Communication Studies must complete 18 credits:

COM 1010 (OC) Basic Speech (3 credits)
COM 2000 Introduction to Communication Studies (3 credits)
COM 2110 Argumentation and Debate (3 credits)
COM 3400 Theories of Communication (3 credits)
Plus two additional Communication Studies courses (6 credits) selected in consultation with your advisor.

Minor in Film:

Film is an art form and communication technology with considerable power to inform, persuade and motivate. The Film minor combines the study of film history and analysis with "hands on" audio, video and film production, screenwriting and a possible internship in the industry.

Requirements: Students pursuing a minor in Film must complete 19 credits:

COM 2010 (VP) (CI) Introduction to Film (4 credits)
Plus an additional 15 credits from the core or from the list of electives for the Film major in consultation with an advisor.

Minor in Health Communication:

Seize the opportunity to learn health communication skills that can be applied in a variety of health and public health settings. Hone new skills as you learn about communication campaign development and implementation, health and organization communication and public relations.

Requirements: Students pursuing a minor in Health Communication must complete 18 credits:

COM 2000 Introduction to Communication Studies (3 credits)
COM 3170 Fundamentals of Public Relations (3 credits)
COM 3250 Organizational Communication (3 credits)
COM 4210 Research Methods in Communication (3 credits)
COM 5130 Communication and Social Marketing (3 credits)
COM 5320 Health Communication (3 credits)

Minor in Journalism:

Few skills are more in demand than the ability to write clearly and Journalism, in the form of print, broadcasting or online, teaches these critical skills. Classroom practice in news reporting, editing, feature writing, and journalism history is applied in the final internship semester. Participate in WAYN Radio or get involved in the student newspaper, The South End.

Requirements: Students pursuing a minor in Print and Online Journalism must complete 21 credits:

COM 1500 Survey of Mass Communication (3 credits)
COM 2030 Journalistic Grammar and Style (3 credits)
COM 2100 News Reporting (3 credits)
COM 3210 News Editing (3 credits)
COM 4100 Feature Writing (3 credits)
COM 5080 History and Law of American Journalism (3 credits)
COM 6190 Internship (3 credits)

Requirements: Students pursing a minor in Broadcast Journalism must complete 21 credits:

COM 1500 Survey of Mass Communications (3 credits)
COM 2030 Journalistic Grammar and Style (3 credits)
COM 2100 News Reporting (3 credits)
COM 2230 Broadcast News Writing and Digital Editing (3 credits)
COM 5381 TV News Reporting and Digital Editing (3 credits)
COM 5080 History and Law of American Journalism (3 credits)
COM 6190 Internship (3 credits)

Minor in Media Arts and Studies:

The minor in Media Arts and Studies can be shaped to suit a wide range of career goals. Concentrate on media production by selecting courses in writing for radio, television, film or broadcast news, along with audio, television and video field production. Courses in film, television and radio history, criticism, social functions and mass media effects can be combined to create an emphasis in media history and criticism.

Requirements: Students pursuing a minor in Media Arts and Studies must complete 19 credits:

COM 1500 Survey of Mass Communication (3 credits)
COM 1600 Introduction to Audio-TV-Film Production (3 credits)
COM 2010 (VP) (CI) Introduction to Film (4 credits)
COM 2210 Media Writing and Storytelling (3 credits)

Plus 6 credits from among the following courses:

COM 2020 (VP) (CI) History of Film (3 credits)
COM 2230 Broadcast News Writing and Digital Editing (3 credits)
COM 3010 Media Analysis and Criticism (3 credits)
COM 3380 Editing and Field Production (3 credits)
COM 4310 Audio Production (3 credits)
COM 4410 Television Production (4 credits)
COM 5010 History of Communication Technologies (3 credits)
COM 5020 Studies in Film History (3 credits)
COM 5060 Documentary and Non-Fiction Film and TV (4 credits)
COM 5510 Societal Effects of New Technologies (3 credits)

Minor in New Media:

Interested in new/emerging media and technology? The New Media minor may be perfect for you. The Department of Communication created the minor in new/emerging media for the consideration of all students at Wayne State. Expertise in new and emerging media enhances any major. Expand your comprehension of contemporary communication practices including digital, mobile and social media while learning some of the most effective ways to interact in this continuously evolving environment. Focus on both critical and creative tools across disciplines to build upon your specific goals and interests.

Requirements: Students pursuing the minor in New Media must complete a total of 18 credits:

COM 1500 Survey of Mass Communication (3 credits)
OR COM 3400 Theories of Communication (3 credits)
COM 2260 Digital Writing and Research Methods (3 credits)
COM 2290 Fundamentals of New Media Communication (3 credits)
COM 2310 Introduction to Web Design (3 credits)
OR COM 5500 Journalism and New Media (3 credits)
Plus two additional New Media courses (6 credits) selected in consultation with your advisor.

Minor in Public Relations:

Enhance your marketability by learning the fundamentals of public relations, persuasion techniques and strategies, and the keys to effective communication within organizations as you refine your writing in news reporting and editing courses. Join the WSU chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America and work closely with industry professionals in the metro area.

Requirements: Students pursuing a minor in Public Relations must complete 21 credits:

COM 1500 Survey of Mass Communication (3 credits)
COM 2030 Journalistic Grammar and Style (3 credits)
COM 2100 News Reporting (3 credits)
COM 2160 (PL) Campaigns and Social Movements (3 credits)
COM 3170 Fundamentals of Public Relations (3 credits)
COM 3210 News Editing (3 credits)
COM 3250 Introduction to Organizational Communication (3 credits)