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Communication (COMM)
The bachelor of arts in communication provides analytic work from both humanistic and social-scientific perspectives, and practical work to improve communication performance in various kinds of situations.
The undergraduate degree in communication emphasizes knowledge and awareness of:
- the basic contexts in which communication is enacted (e.g., interpersonal, group, organizational and public contexts);
- the various processes of interaction within these contexts;
- the basic methods of investigating questions about communication;
- the ethical issues and responsibilities of communication practice;
- the diversity of communication styles associated with gender and cultural differences; and
- the uses and implications of communication technology;
- the history and development of communication as an object of scholarly study, including both the humanistic and social-scientific traditions.
In addition, students completing the degree in communication are expected to acquire the ability and skills to:
- express ideas in an informed, coherent and effective manner, particularly the ability to articulate and develop a sustained argument, both orally and in writing;
- analyze, criticize and evaluate messages and interactions in a variety of practical contexts, both orally and in writing; and
- adapt messages and negotiate interactions responsibly in diverse and changing situations.
There are optional programs in which students are encouraged to participate such as study abroad, internships and graduating with honors.
Graduate study in communication examines problems of human interaction and relationship, participation and collaboration and deliberation, dialogue and decision making in personal relationships, workplace and institutional contexts and community and public life. The master’s program provides students with knowledge of selected bodies of communication scholarship and develops their skills in analyzing complex communication situations for a range of professional positions in business, nonprofit institutions and other types of community groups, and for doctoral study in communication. The doctoral program provides students with opportunities to conduct theoretically grounded, practically useful research that crosses traditional academic boundaries and that prepares them to assume faculty positions in universities, as well as in research and training programs in business, government and social service agencies.
Course code for this program is COMM.
Bachelor's Degree Program(s)
Bachelor’s Degree in Communication
Majors must complete a minimum of 36 hours of course work in communication, at least 18 of which must be upper division (3000 level or higher). Only courses with grades of C- or better count toward the major, and the overall major GPA must be 2.000 (a C- is 1.700).
Required Courses and Semester Credit Hours
- COMM 1210 Perspectives on Human Communication—3
- COMM 1300 Public Speaking—3
- COMM 1600 Group Interaction—3
- COMM 3210 Human Communication Theory—3
- At least two of the following: COMM 2360 Campaigns and Revolutions—3, COMM 2400 Discourse, Culture and Identities—3, COMM 2500 Interpersonal Communication—3, COMM 2600 Organizational Communication—3
- COMM 3300 Rhetorical Foundations of Communication—3
- One methods course: COMM 3740, 3750 or 3760—3
- One senior seminar: COMM 4220, 4300, 4400, 4510, 4600 or 4610—3
- At least two additional upper-division electives (3000- or 4000-level courses): 4000-level courses may be taken twice (only twice) with different topics—6-9
Up to 8 credit hours of independent study and 6 hours of internships may be taken. These are upper-division elective hours but do not count toward major requirements. Eligible students interested in graduating with department honors should contact the department’s honors coordinator as soon as possible.
In addition, Communication majors must complete a secondary area of study outside COMM: any major, minor, or academic certificate of at least 12 credit hours offered at the university.
The department encourages its majors to take related courses in other departments in CMCI as well anthropology; business; English; ethnic studies; history; linguistics; philosophy; political science; sociology; speech, language and hearing sciences; and theatre and dance.
The department also encourages participation in optional programs such as study abroad, internships and graduating with honors.
Students who wish to major in communication should meet with a department advisor, where they will be advised of any changes in this list of requirements.
Minor in Communication
Minors must complete a minimum of 18 hours of course work in communication, at least 9 of which must be upper division (3000 level or higher). Only courses with grades of C- or better count toward the major, and the overall major GPA must be 2.000 (a C- is 1.700). They may apply no more than 6 credit hours of transfer work, including 3 hours of upper-division credit.
Required Courses and Semester Credit Hours
- COMM 1210 Perspectives on Human Communication—3
- Either COMM1300 (Public Speaking) or COMM 1600 Group Interaction—3
- One 2000-level course—3
- Three upper-division courses (3000 level or higher)—9
Students who wish to minor in communication should meet with a department advisor, where they will be advised of any changes in this list of requirements.
Graduate Degree Program(s)
The department offers programs of study leading to the MA and PhD in communication. Interested students should contact the department for current admission and degree requirements, or see comm.colorado.edu.
