What is Communication Studies?

Communication (COMM) studies is the study of human communication at large. With a degree in communication studies, our students are able to master communication theories and research, enhance communication skills, and enhance preparation for a variety of different careers or for graduate study.

There are three areas of study:

Interpersonal, digital & organizational communication examines the impact of communication theory in multiple contexts. It explores how human and digital communication influences cultures, groups, and individuals. It also teaches effective communication in different types of organizations.

Communication, Culture, and Public Discourse examines how communication is influential in the formation and growth of every culture. It explores the power of communication in terms of persuasion, public advocacy, public address, and public policy.

Performance studies examines how performance is central to the development of human beings and cultures. We are always performing different roles, and performance is a tool used to communicate different messages.

Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts degree requires the completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours, 42 of which must be advanced, and as well as fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree as specified in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences section of the undergraduate catalog. Students wishing to major in Communication Studies should consult an advisor in the Undergraduate Advising Office, General Academic Building Room 220.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR - DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES

The major in Communication Studies consist of 36 semester hours distributed in the following manner.

15 HOURS OF CORE COURSES
  • COMM 1010: Introduction to Communication
  • COMM 2020: Interpersonal Communication
  • COMM 2060: Performance of Literature
  • COMM 2140: Rhetoric and Argument
  • COMM 3010: Communication Perspectives

9 HOURS DISTRIBUTED (ONE FROM EACH OF THE FOLLOWING GROUPS)

Group A: Interpersonal, Digital, & Organizational

  • COMM 3120 - Nonverbal Communication
  • COMM 3320 - Communication and Conflict Management
  • COMM 3520 - Advanced Interpersonal Communication
  • COMM 3620 - Intercultural Communication
  • COMM 4420 - Relational Development
  • COMM 3220 - Health Communication
  • COMM 3720 - Small Group Communication
  • COMM 3920 - Organizational Communication
  • COMM 4120 - Communication and Sports
  • COMM 3420 - Communication and New Technology
  • COMM 3820 - Social Media
  • COMM 4320 - Communication and Virtual Gaming
  • COMM 4829 - Topics in Interpersonal/Organizational

Group B: Communication, Culture and Public Discourse

  • COMM 3340 - Methods in Rhetorical Criticism
  • COMM 3440 - Public Address Studies
  • COMM 3840 - Argumentation and Debate
  • COMM 4140 - Gender Communication
  • COMM 4240 - Rhetoric, Ideology, and Popular Culture
  • COMM 4340 - Rhetoric and Politics
  • COMM 4440 - Landscapes of Public Memory
  • COMM 4640 - Latin@ Rhetoric
  • COMM 4849 - Topics in Rhetorical Studies

Group C: Performance Studies

  • COMM 3260 - Storytelling, Narrative, & Everyday Life
  • COMM 3265 - Topics in Storytelling
  • COMM 3760 - Performance Methods
  • COMM 3860 - Group Performance
  • COMM 3865 - Adaptation and Staging
  • COMM 4065 - 20th Century Performance Styles
  • COMM 4160 - Intertextuality and Performance
  • COMM 4260 - Performance and Culture
  • COMM 4360 - Performance Composition
  • COMM 4460 - Performance Art
  • COMM 4869 - Topics in Performance Studies

3 HOURS THEORY (ONE COURSE FROM THE FOLLOWING BASED ON THE STUDENT'S PRIMARY AREA OF INTEREST)

  • COMM 4020: Communication Theory
  • COMM 4040: Rhetorical Theory
  • COMM 4060: Performance Theory
  • COMM 4520: Theories of Persuasion
  • COMM 4540: Communication Theories of Sexuality

9 HOURS OF UPPER-LEVEL COMM ELECTIVES IN CONSULTATION WITH A COMM ADVISOR

DEGREE PLAN PREPARATION

You are required to complete a degree plan during your 3010 semester.

Minor in Communication Studies

The minor in Communication Studies requires a total of 18 semester hours, 6 of which must be in upper-level hours. Minors must observe the system of prerequisites for upper-level courses.

Common Courses that fulfill Upper-Level Prerequisites

  • Comm 2020: Interpersonal Communication is the pre­req for all advanced Comm Courses that end in a 20 something (i.e. Comm 3920, 4220, 4829). Comm 2020 also meets Social and Behavioral Science Core requirement
  • Comm 2140: Advocating in Public is the pre­req for all advanced Comm Courses that end in a 40 something (i.e. Comm 4340, 3340, 4849). Comm 2140 also meets Discovery Core requirement
  • Comm 2060: Performance of Literature is the pre­req for all advanced Comm Courses that end in a 60 something (i.e. Comm 3865, 4060, 4869). Comm 2020 also meets the Creative Arts Core requirement

Departmental advisors are available for consultations on the minor in communication studies.

Teacher Certification
Students who expect to teach Speech Communication in secondary schools must complete the departmental major plus certification standards required by the College of Education at UNT.

Internships
Advanced students may be selected to participate in communication internships. Interns work in positions that allow them to develop communication skills in professional contexts.

Marketable Skills
Marketable skills for this degree include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas, that are valued by employers, and are primary or complementary to the major. The marketable skills goal was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers. UNT's marketable skills were faculty-developed and approved by employers or discipline-specific agencies, e.g., internship providers, chambers of commerce, workforce development boards, and other workforce-related entities. For information on these marketable skills, see the following page.