Communication Studies Major Program

Major Program

The communications studies curriculum develops student understanding of functions and effects of multiple communication media through exposure to ethics, theory, and research. Media technology skills are learned in the context of creation and critical evaluation of mediated messages.

Communication majors may concentrate in electronic media, journalism, public relations/advertising, or general speech. In each concentration, directed projects and readings allow students to work in depth in their area of interest. All students are also encouraged to take advantage of internship opportunities.

Requirements

The CST major is required to:

• Complete a total of 36 credit hours in CST, excluding CST 101, and only 12 of which may be from independent studies (Transfer students must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours in CST from UDM).
• Complete at least 15 of those 36 credit hours in courses at the 300/400 level
• Submit a portfolio in the senior year
• Include in the required courses the following six courses:
  1. CST 111 Mass Media
  2. CST 112 Visual Communications
  3. CST 300 Media Ethics
  4. CST 499 Capstone Seminar
  5. and one course from each of the following categories:

Research:

• CST 201 Research Methods
• CST 316 Rhetorical Criticism
• CST 401 Public Opinion
• CST 402 Audience Analysis
• STA 225 Statistics

Theory

• CST 204 Interpersonal Communication
• CST 209 Persuasion
• CST 304 Small Group Communication
• CST 305 Theories of Listening Behavior
• CST 307 Organizations Communication
• CST 317 Argumentation

Writing

• CST 203 News Writing
• CST 221 Advanced News Writing/News Editing
• CST 223 Electronic Media Writing
• CST 324 Feature Writing
  
• CST 340 Public Relations Writing