Communication Studies

Major

Communication Studies Major (60 credits)

The Communication Studies major is among the most flexible degree programs at WOU. We offer courses that prepare students for a range of careers, and we allow students to work with their advisors to select courses that will prepare them for their desired career path. We pride ourselves on individual advising for each student, with faculty advisors who help students identify courses that will set them up for success.

Our major is broken down into three main categories: Foundational Theories, Message Construction, and Message Analysis. Students will take four classes (16 credits) in each area. In addition, students will take 12 credits of electives, which can include any additional classes in these three sections, or any additional COM seminar or internship credits. We encourage students to work with their advisors to determine which classes in each category will work best for their specific goals. The class options in each category are listed below.

Foundational Theories: Select Four Courses

COM 100 Effective Communication

COM 112 Interpersonal Communication

COM 211 Introduction to Mass Communication

COM 212 Advertising and Society

COM 260 Sports & Social Movements

COM 310 Communicating With Data

COM 321 Influence Through Argumentation

COM 325 Intercultural Communication

COM 326 Freedom of Speech

COM 327 Communication in the Legal Field

COM 343 Communication in the Information Age

COM 380 Environmental Communication

COM 405 Human Communication Theory

COM 420 Communication in Organizations

COM 426 Language of the Mass Media

COM 432 Music and Rhetoric

COM 440 Relational Communication

COM 461 Family Communication

Message Construction: Select Four Courses

COM 111 Principles of Public Speaking

COM 113 Social Media and Digital Advocacy

COM 312 Public Relations Communication

COM 313 Creating Student Media

COM 323 Group Discussion and Leadership

COM 324 Business and Professional Communication

COM 340 Conflict Management

COM 370 Communication Ethics

COM 372 Sports Public Relations

COM 400 Communication & Labor

COM 410 Communication and Event Planning

COM 415 Social Media Campaigns

COM 422 Persuasion

COM 436 Gender Theory & Activism

COM 439 Contemporary U.S. Public Address

COM 442 Communication and Social Change

COM 450 Crisis Communication Management

COM 451 War on Science: Cultivating Science Communication

COM 455 Creating Documentary and Digital Films

Message Analysis: Select Four Courses

COM 236 Contemporary Issues in Media

COM 328 Law and Popular Culture

COM 331 Nonverbal Communication

COM 335 Communication and Gender

COM 342 Media Literacy

COM 351 Foundations of Health Communication

COM 360 Sports Communication

COM 402 Rhetoric, Race, Resistance

COM 412 Analyzing Popular Culture

COM 416 Communication and Politics

COM 430 Social Media and Culture

COM 431/531 Nonverbal Deception Detection

COM 435 Rhetoric of the Women’s Movement

COM 444 Global Media

COM 446 Critical Media Analysis

COM 462 The Dark Side of Family Communication