BACHELOR OF ARTS IN COMMUNICATION

The major in communication under the Bachelor of Arts degree is a 36-semester hour program which is a broad, liberal arts experience as well as an introduction to major facets of Communication theory and practice. The BA degree in communication is an appropriate degree leading to graduate school in communication, law school, or related occupational areas such as human resources, public relations, management, sales, communication media, the ministry, and public service.  Students in this program complete the communication core courses (21 hours); ONE concentration (15 hours) in Critical & Cultural Communication, Organizational Communication, Public Relations, or Relational Communication; and 12 hours of a second program of study.

Required Courses (21 hours):

SP 100 Interpersonal Communication 3 hours OR SP 101 Public Speaking 3 hours (whichever is not used to meet the General Education Basic Skill requirement)
SP 303 Organizational Communication 3 hours
SP 307 Advanced Public Speaking 3 hours
SP 312 Theories of Communication 3 hours
SP 315 Small Group Communication 3 hours
SP 332 Theories of Persuasion 3 hours
SP 580 Analysis of Communication Studies 3 hours

Concentration (15 hours):

Students in this program are also expected to take 21 hours of elective courses in communication from one of the following Areas of Concentration:  Critical & Cultural Communication, Organizational Communication, Public Relations, or Relational Communication . See below for courses which count in each of the Areas of Concentration.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Critical & Cultural Communication

Required courses (6 hours):
SP             331           Rhetorical Criticism              3 hours
SP             351           Studies in Public Address     3 hours

Electives                 (9 hours):
SP             222           Argumentation & Debate    3 hours
SP             304           Online Communication        3 hours
SP             322           Theories of Argument           3 hours
SP             350           Intercultural Communication             3 hours
SP             360           Communication and Gender              3 hours
SP             370           Special Problems in Speech                 3 hours
SP             490           Seminar in Rhetoric & Communication           3 hours
SP             555           Contemporary Issues in Free Speech                3 hours
* see below

Organizational Communication

Required courses (6 hours):
SP             403           Communication Training & Development          3 hours
SP             500           Conflict Resolution      3 hours

Electives                 (9 hours):
SP             304           Online Communication        3 hours
SP             306           Advanced Interpersonal Communication        3 hours
SP             313           Interviewing: Principles & Techniques           3 hours
SP             350           Intercultural Communication             3 hours
SP             360           Communication and Gender              3 hours
SP             370           Special Problems in Speech                 3 hours
SP             502           Group Leadership                 3 hours
* see below

Public Relations

Required courses (9 hours):
SP             305          Principles of Public Relations          3 hours
SP             355          Public Relations Writing                    3 hours
SP             405          PR: Cases & Campaigns                 3 hours

Electives                 (9 hours):
SP             329           Principles of Radio/Television Broadcasting         3 hours
SP             365           Public Relations Techniques        3 hours
SP             474           Field Internship I           3 hours
JO             501            Law & Ethics of Journalism             3 hours
* see below

Relational Communication

Required courses (6 hours):
SP             306           Advanced Interpersonal Communication        3 hours
SP             350           Intercultural Communication             3 hours

Electives                 (9 hours):
SP             304           Online Communication        3 hours
SP             325           Nonverbal Communication        3 hours
SP             360           Communication and Gender              3 hours
SP             370           Special Problems in Speech                 3 hours
SP             400           Family Communication              3 hours
SP             500           Conflict Resolution                  3 hours
SP             502           Group Leadership                 3 hours
* see below

Required Second Program of Study (Minimum: 12 hours):

Students will select courses in a second program of study with the approval of their academic advisor.

* Up to six hours of a combination of any of the following may apply:

• Independent Study
• Internship
• Intercollegiate Forensics