Curriculum

Major in Communication Studies

Requirements: Students majoring in Communication Studies must complete 36 credit hours, distributed as follows:

The following courses are required (18 credit hours):

COM 1010 (OC) Oral Communication: 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)
COM 4190 Rhetorical Criticism (3 credits)
OR COM 4210 Research Methods in Communication (3 credits)
COM 5900* Senior Project in Communication Studies (3 credits)

*Senior capstone should be taken in last year of study

An additional 18 credit hours are required and should be selected from among the courses listed below:

Two Communication Studies Courses at the 2000/3000 level:

COM 2160 (CI) Persuasive Campaigns and Social Movements (3 credits)
COM 2170 Persuasive Speaking (3 credits)
COM 2200 (SI) Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
COM 2300 (DEI) Intercultural Communication (3 credits)
COM 3150 (QE) Science Commnuication (3 credits)
COM 3170 Fundamentals of Public Relations (3 credits)
COM 3250 Introduction to Organizational Communication (3 credits)
COM 3300 Business and Profession Presentations (3 credits)

Two Communication Studies Courses at the 4000 level:

COM 4041 Rhetoric and the Body (3 credits)
COM 4110 Studies of Legal Argument (3 credits)
COM 4130 Communication Ethics (3 credits)
COM 4140 Pop and Celebrity Culture (3 credits)
COM 4150 Communication and Conflict (3 credits)
COM 4190 Rhetorical Criticism (3 credits)
COM 4200 Nonverbal Communication (3 credits)
COM 4210 Research Methods in Communication (3 credits)
COM 4270 Group Communication (3 credits)
COM 4500 Leadership Communication (3 credits)

Two Communication Studies Courses at the 5000 level:

COM 5070 Culture, Communication, and Media (3 credits)
COM 5120 Public Address (3 credits)
COM 5130 Communication and Social Marketing (3 credits)
COM 5190 Senior Seminar in Communication Studies (3 credits)
COM 5320 Health Communication (3 credits)
COM 5330 Rhetoric of Visual Culture (3 credits)
COM 5360 Gender and Communication (3 credits)
COM 6190 Internship (1 - 3 credits, 6 credits max)

Important Reminders: Every course required to complete an undergraduate major in the Department of Communication must be completed with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better. This includes all transfer credit that may be applicable to the major programs. All students pursuing this major must complete the university's general education requirements as well as the Department of Communication foreign language requirement, which includes completion of a foreign language through the second semester. A minimum of 120 total credit hours is required to earn a Bachelor's Degree.

Advising: Careful planning is required to assure timely completion of the program. An advisor should be consulted as soon as you decide to enroll in the Communication Studies program. All students are expected to follow the published curriculum for their major and to consult regularly with their advisor. Advising appointments can be booked online here.

Special Activities: Course work is only one part of your undergraduate education. Employers pay close attention to the types of activities applicants participated in as students. There are many valuable campus activities to choose from. You are encouraged to participate in such activities as student government, the student newspaper (South End) and the student radio station (WAYN). In addition, the Department of Communication sponsors the Wayne State University chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), The Film and Media Group, as well as the nationally acclaimed forensics and debate teams.