Arts & Sciences Communication Studies

Description

Communication studies is a social science and humanistic field of study, research, and application. Communication competencies are among those most highly desired in professional, personal, organizational, and civic arenas. The mission of the Department of Communication Studies is to examine human symbolic activity as it shapes and is shaped by relationships, institutions, and societies. This work concerns how, why, and with what effects people communicate through verbal and nonverbal messages. Through research, teaching, and service, the Department devotes particular attention to understanding how communication erodes and sustains collaboration within and among local, national, and global communities.

A degree in communication studies will focus broadly on the production and influence of messages across the contexts of public, personal, and professional life. In this course of study, students are immersed in mastering the intellectual capacities to advocate, negotiate, and relate. Students who major in communication studies can choose to fulfill the general requirements of the major or they can opt to complete courses in one of three major emphasis areas: communication, health, and well-being; diversity, culture, and global communication; or communication, public advocacy, and civic engagement.

Emphasis Areas in the Major

Students who declare a major in communication studies will follow the general requirements for communication studies. Though not a requirement, students have the option to declare one of the three emphasis areas within the major as well.

Communication, Health, and Well-Being

The health and well-being emphasis area focuses on the role of communication in understanding and explaining individual and relational health, promoting healthy behaviors, and helping persons navigate health challenges. Students interested in health administration, public health, and pre-health students interested in communication studies would benefit from this emphasis area.

Diversity, Culture, and Global Communication

The diversity, culture, and global communication emphasis area focuses on the role of communication in constituting identity in a complex and diverse world. Students who engage in this emphasis area will learn how we come to identify and understand difference, how power is constituted and perpetuated in communication processes, how people organize in ways that enable and constrain voice, and how marginalized groups can (re)claim power in local/global contexts.

Communication, Public Advocacy, and Civic Engagement

Students who choose an emphasis in Public Advocacy and Civic Engagement will focus on the role of communication in facilitating public participation, mediating public controversies, and organizing for social change and citizen involvement. Students emphasizing in this area will learn to become better advocates and critical thinkers. This emphasis stresses skills related to public speaking, critical thinking, writing, and message construction and analysis.

University Speech & Debate

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln offers a nationally-recognized speech and debate program of participation in campus and intercollegiate debate, public speaking, and interpretation events. The program gives students the opportunity to compete at the local, state, regional, and national levels. No previous debate or speech experience is required. All students who are in good standing may take part in intercollegiate debate and forensics.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates with a major in communication studies will be able to:

1. Understand and articulate communication as a process
2. Apply communication theories, methods, and concepts to 21st century challenges and opportunities
3. Critically create, interpret, and evaluate messages within the contexts of:
   1. communication, health, and well-being
   2. communication, public advocacy, and civic engagement and/or
   3. diversity, culture, and global communication
4. Advocate, negotiate difference, and relate across personal, professional, and public life

Academic and Career Advising

Academic and Career Advising Center

Not sure where to go or who to ask? The Advising Center team in 107 Oldfather Hall can help. The Academic and Career Advising Center is the undergraduate hub for CAS students in all majors. Centrally located and easily accessed, students encounter friendly, knowledgeable people who are eager to help or connect students to partner resources. Students also visit the Advising Center in 107 Oldfather Hall to:

• Choose or change their major, minor, or degree program.
• Check on policies, procedures, and deadlines.
• Get a college approval signature from the Dean’s representatives.

CAS Career Coaches are available by appointment (in-person or Zoom) and located in the CAS Academic and Career Advising Center, 107 Oldfather Hall. They help students explore majors and minors, gain experience, and develop a plan for life after graduation.

Assigned Academic Advisors

Academic advisors are critical resources dedicated to students' academic, personal, and professional success. Every CAS student is assigned an academic advisor based on their primary major. Since most CAS students have more than just a single major, it is important to get to know the advisor for any minors or additional majors. Academic advisors work closely with the faculty to provide the best overall support and the discipline specific expertise. They are available for appointments (in-person or Zoom) and through weekly virtual drop-ins. Assigned advisors are listed in MyRED and their offices may be located in or near the department of the major for which they advise.

Students who have declared a pre-health or pre-law area of interest will also work with advisors in the Exploratory and Pre-Professional Advising Center (Explore Center) in 127 Love South, who are specially trained to guide students preparing to enter a professional school.

For complete and current information on advisors for majors, minors, or pre-professional areas, visit https://cas.unl.edu/major-advisors, or connect with the Arts and Sciences Academic and Career Advising Center, 107 Oldfather Hall, 402-472-4190, casadvising@unl.edu.

Career Coaching

The College believes that Academics + Experience = Opportunities and encourages students to complement their academic preparation with real-world experience, including internships, research, education abroad, service, and leadership. Arts and sciences students have access to a powerful network of faculty, staff, and advisors dedicated to providing information and support for their goals of meaningful employment or advanced education. Arts and sciences graduates have unlimited career possibilities and carry with them important career competencies—communication, critical thinking, creativity, context, and collaboration. They have the skills and adaptability that employers universally value. Graduates are prepared to effectively contribute professionally and personally with a solid foundation to excel in an increasingly global, technological, and interdisciplinary world.

Students should contact the career coaches in the Arts and Sciences Academic and Career Advising Center in 107 Oldfather Hall, or their assigned advisor, for more information. The CAS career coaches help students explore career options, identify ways to build experience and prepare to apply for internships, jobs, or graduate school, including help with resumes, applications, and interviewing.

ACE Requirements

 Students must complete one course for each of the ACE Student Learning Outcomes below. Certified course choices are published in the degree audit, or visit the ACE website for the most current list of certified courses.

College Degree Requirements

College Distribution Requirements – BA and BS

The College of Arts and Sciences distribution requirements are common to both the bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees and are designed to ensure a range of courses. By engaging in study in several different areas within the College, students develop the ability to learn in a variety of ways and apply their knowledge from a variety of perspectives. All requirements are in addition to University ACE requirements, and no course can be used to fulfill both an ACE outcome and a College Distribution Requirement.

• A student may not use a single course to satisfy more than one College Distribution Requirement, with the exception of CDR Diversity. Courses used to meet CDR Diversity may also meet CDR Writing, CDR Humanities, or CDR Social Science.
• Internship (395 or 495), independent study or readings (396 or 496), research (398 or 498), and thesis (399, 399H, 499, or 499H) will not satisfy distribution requirements.
• Other courses with a 9 in the middle number (ex. PSYC 292) will not satisfy distribution requirements unless approved by an advisor.
• Cross-listed courses from interdisciplinary programs will be applied in the same area as courses from the lead department.

¹

Excluded courses: BIOC 101, BIOS 100, CHEM 101, MBIO 101, PHYS 201, MATH 100A, MATH 101, MATH 102, MATH 103, and MATH subject area credit at the 100 level or below.

²

ANTH 242L, ASTR 224, BIOS 101L, BIOS 110L, BIOS 111, BIOS 116, BIOS 213L, BIOS 214, CHEM 105L, CHEM 106L, CHEM 109L, CHEM 110L, CHEM 113L, GEOG 155, GEOL 101, GEOL 103, LIFE 120L, LIFE 121L, METR 100, PHYS 141, PHYS 142, PHYS 153, PHYS 221, or PHYS 222.

³

ARAB, CHIN, CZEC, FREN, GERM, GREK, JAPN, LATN, RUSS, and SPAN courses must be numbered 300 or above. ENGL courses must be ENGL 170, ENGL 180, or ENGL 200 level and above. Excluded courses: CLAS 116, ENGL 254, ENGL 300, ENGL 354, SPAN 300A, SPAN 303, and SPAN 304.

⁴

Excluded courses: ANTH 242/ANTH 242L, GEOG 155, GIST 111, GIST 311, POLS 101, POLS 250, PSYC 100, PSYC 273.

⁵

ARAB 202, CHIN 202, CZEC 202, FREN 202 or FREN 210, GERM 202, GREK 301 and GREK 302, JAPN 201 and JAPN 202, LATN 301 and LATN 302, RUSS 202, SLPA 202, or SPAN 202 or SPAN 210.

Language Requirement - BA and BS

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the College of Arts and Sciences place great value on academic exposure and proficiency in a second language. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln entrance requirement of two years of the same foreign language or the College’s language distribution requirement (CDR: Language) will rarely be waived and only with relevant documentation. See the main College of Arts and Sciences page for more details.

Experiential Learning Requirement - BA and BS

All undergraduates in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete an Experiential Learning (EL) designated course. This may include 0-credit courses designed to document co-curricular activities recognized as Experiential Learning.

Scientific Base – BS Only

The bachelor of science degree requires students to complete 60 hours in mathematical, physical, and natural sciences from disciplines within the College of Arts and Sciences or required in its majors: ACTS, ASTR, BIOC, BIOS, CHEM, CSCE, GEOL, LIFE, MBIO, METR, MATH, PHYS, STAT or ANTH 242 , ANTH 242L, ANTH 341, ANTH 385, ANTH 386, ANTH 389, ANTH 416, ANTH 422, ANTH 430, ANTH 442, ANTH 443, ANTH 444, ANTH 448, ANTH 473, ANTH 484, ANTH 487D, ENVR 201, GEOG 155, GEOG 217, GEOG 281, GEOG 308, GEOG 317, GEOG 408, GEOG 417, GEOG 418, GEOG 419, GEOG 421, GEOG 422, GEOG 425, GEOG 427, GEOG 432, GEOG 444, GEOG 461, GEOG 467, PHIL 211, POLS 250, PSYC 273, PSYC 368, PSYC 370, PSYC 450, PSYC 451, PSYC 456, PSYC 458,PSYC 460, PSYC 461, PSYC 463, PSYC 464, or PSYC 465.

Excluded courses include: BIOC 101, BIOS 100, CHEM 101, MATH 100A, MATH 101, MATH 102, MATH 103, MBIO 101, PHYS 201 as well as any course numbered 395, 495, 399, 399H, 499, or 499H. MATH subject area credit at the 100 level or below is also excluded.

Up to 12 hours of scientific and technical courses offered by other colleges may be accepted toward this requirement with approval of the College of Arts and Sciences. See your assigned academic advisor to start the approval process.

Minimum Hours Required for Graduation

A minimum of 120 semester hours of credit is required for graduation from the College of Arts and Sciences. A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 is required.

Grade Rules

Restrictions on C- and D Grades

The College will accept no more than 15 semester hours of C- and D grades from other domestic institutions except for UNO and UNK. All courses taken at UNO and UNK impact the UNL transcript. No transfer of C- and D grades can be applied toward requirements in a major or a minor. No University of Nebraska–Lincoln C- and D grades can be applied toward requirements in a major or a minor. International coursework (including education abroad) with a final grade equivalent to a C- or lower will not be validated by the College of Arts and Sciences departments to be degree applicable.

Pass/No Pass Privilege

University policy for the Pass/No Pass (P/N) privilege:

• Neither the P nor the N grade factor into your GPA.
• 'P' is interpreted to mean a grade of C or above. A grade of C- or lower results in a ''N'.
• A change to or from a Pass/No Pass may be made until mid-term (1/2 of the course - see the academic calendar for specific dates per term).
• The Pass/No Pass or grade registration cannot conflict with the policy of the professor, department, college, or University policy governing the grading options.
• Changing to or from the Pass/No Pass grading option requires using MyRED, or processing a Schedule Adjustment Form. 
• For undergraduates, the University maximum of 24 'Pass' credit hours and/or college and department limits will apply. These limits do not include courses offered on a 'Pass/No Pass' basis only. Consult your advisor or the Undergraduate Catalog for restrictions on the number of 'Pass' hours you can apply toward your degree.
•  The 'Pass/No Pass' grading option cannot be used for the removal of 'C-', 'D+', 'D', 'D-', or 'F' grade factors.
  NOTE: See Course Repeats

College of Arts and Sciences policy on the Pass/No Pass (P/N) privilege:

• Pass hours can count toward fulfillment of University ACE requirements and college distribution requirements up to the 24-hour maximum.
• Most arts and sciences majors and minors do not permit any courses graded Pass/No Pass to apply, or limit them to no more than 6 hours. Students should refer to the major section of the catalog for clarification.
• Departments may specify that certain courses of theirs can be taken on a P/N-only or on a graded-only basis.

Grading Appeals

A student who feels that he/she has been unfairly graded must ordinarily take the following sequential steps in a timely manner, usually by initiating the appeal in the semester following the awarding of the grade:

1. Talk with the instructor concerned. Most problems are resolved at this point.
2. Talk to the instructor’s department chairperson.
3. Take the case to the Grading Appeal Committee of the department concerned. The Committee should be contacted through the department chairperson.
4. Take the case to the College Grading Appeals Committee by contacting the Dean’s Office, 1223 Oldfather Hall.

Course Level Requirements

Courses Numbered at the 300 or 400 Level

Thirty (30) of the 120 semester hours of credit must be in courses numbered at the 300 or 400 level. Of those 30 hours, 15 hours (1/2) must be completed in residence at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Residency Requirement

The term "Residency" refers to courses taken at UNL. Students must complete at least 30 of the 120 total hours for their degree at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Students must complete at least 18 hours of their major coursework, and 15 of the 30 hours required at the 300 or 400 level, at UNL.

Catalog to Use

Students must fulfill the requirements stated in the catalog for the academic year in which they are first admitted to and enrolled as a degree-seeking student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. In consultation with advisors, a student may choose to follow a subsequent catalog for any academic year in which they are admitted to and enrolled as a degree-seeking student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the College of Arts and Sciences. Students must complete all degree requirements from a single catalog year. Beginning in 1990-1991, the catalog which a student follows for degree requirements may not be more than 10 years old at the time of graduation.

Transfer Students: Students who have transferred from a community college may be eligible to fulfill the requirements as stated in the catalog for an academic year in which they were enrolled at the community college prior to attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This decision should be made in consultation with academic advisors, provided the student a) was enrolled in a community college during the catalog year they are utilizing, b) maintained continuous enrollment at the previous institution for 1 academic year or more, and c) continued enrollment at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln within 1 calendar year from their last term at the previous institution. Students must complete all degree requirements from a single catalog year and within the time frame allowable for that catalog year.

Major Requirements

Thirty-six (36) credit hours in communication studies. Students may choose to declare one of three emphasis areas: Communication, Health, and Well-being; Diversity, Culture, and Global Communication; Communication, Public Advocacy and Civic Engagement; or follow their own interests for advanced coursework.

Core Requirements

¹

COMM 101 and COMM 201 or COMM 202 should be completed within the first 12 hours of the communication studies major.

²

COMM 212 or COMM 220, and COMM 250 are recommended for students pursuing the Communication, Public Advocacy, and Civic Engagement Emphasis.

Advanced Communication Studies or Emphasis Areas

³

No more than 3 hours from COMM 395 or COMM 398 may count toward the major.

⁴

Either COMM 395 or COMM 398 may be used in the emphasis areas when related and by approval of the undergraduate advisor.

Minor Requirement

A minor (or 2^nd major/degree) is required by this major.

Additional Major Requirements

Prerequisite Requirements/Rules

COMM 101 must be completed before a student can enroll in any 400-level course. COMM 101, COMM 201, or COMM 202 must be taken before COMM 489.

Grade Rules

C- and D Grades

A grade of C or above is required for all courses in the major and minor.

Pass/No Pass

No course taken Pass/No Pass will be counted toward the major, with the exception of 3 hours of either COMM 395 or COMM 398 .

Requirements for Minor Offered by Department

Eighteen (18) hours in communication studies courses as follows.
 

¹

No more than 3 hours of COMM 290 credit can be applied to the minor.

²

Excluding  COMM 395 or COMM 398.

³

Of the 9 hours, at least 3 hours must be at the 400 level. COMM 101 must be completed before a student can enroll in any 400-level course.

Grade Rules

C- and D Grades

A grade of C or above is required for all courses in the major and minor.

Pass/No Pass

No course taken Pass/No Pass will be counted toward the minor.

PLEASE NOTE
This document represents a sample 4-year plan for degree completion with this major. Actual course selection and sequence may vary and should be discussed individually with your college or department academic advisor. Advisors also can help you plan other experiences to enrich your undergraduate education such as internships, education abroad, undergraduate research, learning communities, and service learning and community-based learning.

Communication Studies (B.A.)

Icon Legend: Critical

14 HR TERM 1

COMM 101 Core Course

complete COMM 101

3hr

C

COMM 101 is ideally completed in the first term of enrollment. It becomes critical to your success in the major if not completed by the third term of enrollment. COMM 101 will fulfill the ACE 2 requirement.

---

ACE 1 Written Texts

complete 1 from ACE1

3hr

---

ACE 5 Humanities

complete 1 from ACE5

3hr

---

CDR: Language

recommend 1 or more courses

5hr

If not complete, choose a language course according to your placement and proficiency. CDR language is met after 4th level (202) of most languages.

14 HR TERM 2

Foundation Course

complete either COMM 250 or COMM 283

3hr

C

---

CDR: Writing

complete 1 from ENGL 150, ENGL 150H, ENGL 151, ENGL 151H, ENGL 254, ENGL 254H, ENGL 354, GERM 403, SPAN 300A, SPAN 304, JGEN 120, JGEN 200, JGEN 288H, JGEN 300, JOUR 200B, RAIK 288H, ADPR 221, BRDC 260, BSAD 220

3hr

Complete an additional course approved as ACE 1.

---

ACE 6 Social Sciences

complete 1 from ACE6

3hr

---

CDR: Language

recommend 1 or more courses

5hr

If not complete, choose a language course according to your placement and proficiency. CDR language is met after 4th level (202) of most languages.

16 HR TERM 3

Performance Course

complete 1 from COMM 209, COMM 212, COMM 220, COMM 286, COMM 290

3hr

C

Completion of this COMM course will fulfill the CDR Social Sciences requirement. COMM 290 is an Experiential Learning course.

---

Foundation Course

complete either COMM 250 or COMM 283

3hr

C

---

CDR: Science/Math

recommend 1 or more courses

3hr

Complete an approved course from a Math or Science discipline with a lab: ASTR, BIOC, BIOS, CHEM, CSCE, GEOL, LIFE, MATH, METR, PHYS (select ANTH or GEOG allowed).

---

CDR: Science Lab

recommend 1 or more courses

1hr

Complete an approved lab associated with a course from a Math or Science discipline: ASTR, BIOC, BIOS, CHEM, CSCE, GEOL, LIFE, MATH, METR, PHYS (select ANTH or GEOG allowed).

---

CDR: Humanities

recommend 1 or more courses

3hr

Complete an approved course from a Humanities discipline: ARAB, CLAS, CZEC, ENGL, FILM, FREN, GERM, GREK, HEBR, HIST, JAPN, LATN, PHIL, RELG, RUSS, SPAN.

---

CDR: Language

recommend 1 or more courses

3hr

If not complete, choose a language course according to your placement and proficiency. CDR language is met after 4th level (202) of most languages.

16 HR TERM 4

Research/Rhetorical Meth

complete either COMM 201 or COMM 202

3hr

C

COMM 201 or 202 is ideally completed in the third term of enrollment. It becomes critical to your success in the major if not completed by the fifth term of enrollment.

---

Adv Comm Studies

complete either Any Communications Course at the 300 Level* or Any Communications Course at the 400 Level*

3hr

C

---

CDR: Diversity in the US

recommend 1 or more courses

3hr

Complete an approved course related to Diversity in U.S. Communities. See degree audit for choices. This requirement is permitted to overlap with CDR Humanities or CDR Social Science.

---

CDR: Language

recommend 1 or more courses

3hr

If not complete, choose a language course according to your placement and proficiency. CDR language is met after 4th level (202) of most languages.

---

Electives

complete Any Course

4hr

In consultation with your advisor, select elective courses or courses that meet a 2nd major, minor, sci-base or upper level requirement.

15 HR TERM 5

Adv Comm Studies

complete Any Communications Course at the 300 Level*, Any Communications Course at the 400 Level*

6hr

C

---

ACE 4 Sciences

complete 1 from ACE4

3hr

---

Electives

complete Any Course

6hr

In consultation with your advisor, select elective courses or courses that meet a 2nd major, minor, sci-base or upper level requirement.

15 HR TERM 6

Adv Comm Studies

complete either Any Communications Course at the 300 Level* or Any Communications Course at the 400 Level*

3hr

C

---

Adv Comm Studies (400)

complete Any Communications Course at the 400 Level*

3hr

C

---

ACE 3 Math/Statistics

complete 1 from ACE3

3hr

---

Electives

complete Any Course

6hr

In consultation with your advisor, select elective courses or courses that meet a 2nd major, minor, sci-base or upper level requirement.

15 HR TERM 7

Adv Comm Studies (400)

complete Any Communications Course at the 400 Level*

3hr

C

---

ACE 9 Global/Human Divers

complete 1 from ACE9

3hr

---

Electives

complete Any Course

9hr

In consultation with your advisor, select elective courses or courses that meet a 2nd major, minor, sci-base or upper level requirement.

15 HR TERM 8

COMM 489 Capstone

complete COMM 489

3hr

C

COMM 489 will fulfill the ACE 10 requirement.

---

ACE 7 Arts

complete 1 from ACE7

3hr

---

ACE 8 Ethical Principles

complete 1 from ACE8

3hr

---

Electives

complete Any Course

6hr

In consultation with your advisor, select elective courses or courses that meet a 2nd major, minor, sci-base or upper level requirement.

Graduation Requirements

1. ***Total Credits Applying Toward 120 Total Hours***
2. A minimum 2.00 GPA required for graduation.
3. ***Total Credits Applying Toward 120 Total Hours***

Career Information

The following represents a sample of the internships, jobs and graduate school programs that current students and recent graduates have reported.