Liberal Arts and Human Sciences

Communication

www.comm.vt.edu/ Rachel L. Holloway, Head Director of Undergraduate Studies: Beth M. Waggenspack Director of Graduate Studies: John C. Tedesco W. Thomas Rice Professor: Robert E. Denton, Jr. Professors: W. W. Hopkins; S.R. Prince; S.G. Riley; J.B. Weaver Associate Professors: R.L. Holloway; E.H. Sewell, Jr.; J.C. Tedesco; B.M. Waggenspack Assistant Professors: J. D. Ivory; J. A. Kuypers; M. Preston; R. E. Rawlings; S.L. Sargent; A.Q. Stokes; A.P. Williams Instructors: K. Garland; J. M. Gigio; D. Jenkins; R. Lazenby; E. W. Stallings; J. Warner Adjunct Faculty: A. Kavanaugh; J. Ryan; G.N. Scheeler Overview Major Requirements Minor Requirements Satisfactory Progress Toward the Degree Internal Transfers into Communication Undergraduate Courses

Overview

The major in communication, leading to a B.A., introduces students to spoken, visual, and written forms of communication. The Department encompasses two broad areas of teaching and research: mass communication (print and electronic journalism; media effects and criticism; film studies; communication history and law) and public communication (public relations and issue management; public advocacy; political communication; communication theory). The course of study, rooted in a strong liberal arts curriculum, prepares students to enter careers in mass media, business, public service, government, or professional specializations such as law or religious ministry.

Students are required to complete 42 hours of course work in communication. They also must complete a program of supporting studies (minor or approved cognate) in courses outside of communication. Internships and study abroad experiences are recommended for students who meet grade requirements. Students also are encouraged to work for student media and public service organizations.

Major Requirements

1. Complete a set of departmental core courses, as follows:
   Entering freshmen: COMM 1014, 1015-1016, 1024, 2024, 4024
   All others: COMM 1014, 1024, 2004, 2024, and 4024
2. Complete 21 hours in an option: Public Communication or Mass Communication.

   Public Communication Option:

   COMM 2044, 2064 and 4064 and 12 hours selected from Public Relations courses COMM 3144, 3244, 4054, 4074 and 4364

   or Communication Theory courses COMM 1004, 3124, 3134, 3204, 4074 and 4384.

   Mass Communication Option:

   COMM 2034, 2084 and 4014 and 12 hours selected from Electronic and Print Journalism courses COMM 3154, 3164, 3174, 3184, 4094, 4114, 4124, 4134, 4144 and 4154 or Film and Media Theory courses COMM 2054, 3024, 3034, 3054, 3194, 3544, 4034, 4044, 4084, 4354 and 4374.

3. Complete communication electives (graded A/F)selected from any course in the department to meet the 42 hour requirement. Pass fail courses may not count in the 42 hours.

Minor Requirements

The Communication minor introduces students to the broad principles of the discipline and provides an understanding of how communication impacts on society. Because limited departmental resources must be allocated equitably among communication majors, many communication courses are restricted to majors only, which limits accommodating the desires of all minors.

Communication minors complete 18 hours including:
Required courses:
COMM 1014: Intro. to Communication Studies
COMM 2064: The Rhetorical Tradition
COMM 2074: Intro. to Mass Communication
Elective courses: (students must complete three of the following)
COMM 2044: Principles of Public Relations
COMM 2054: Introduction to Film
COMM 3124: Interpersonal Communication
COMM 3244: Political communication
COMM 4064: Persuasion

For information about the status of the Communication minor, see the departmental website.

Satisfactory Progress Toward the Degree

University policy requires that students who are making satisfactory progress toward a degree meet minimum criteria toward the University and College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Core and toward the degree in Communication.

Upon completion of 72 semester credits (including transfer, advanced placement, advanced standing, credit by examination, freshman rule), students must be certified by the department as making satisfactory progress toward the degree. A student will be certified as making satisfactory progress if he/she has

1. completed 15 hours in communication courses including COMM 1014 and 1024 plus 6 hours from COMM 2004, 2024, and 2034; and
2. has both an overall and in-major GPA of 2.0 or above.

Internal Transfers into Communication

Students enrolled in other Virginia Tech majors who wish to transfer into Communication must submit an application form, which is available in 154 Shanks Hall. Effective with applications received after May 18, 1997, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for transfer:

1. An overall GPA of 2.0; and
2. A minimum GPA of 2.0 in COMM 1014 (Introduction to Communication). COMM 1014 is a prerequisite for most upper level courses in the department. It is open to all students and will fulfill one of the required courses in Area 3 of the University Core. If potential transfer students have completed other COMM courses at Virginia Tech in addition to COMM 1014, the combined GPA for all COMM courses attempted must be a minimum 2.0.

Admission is competitive given these minimum standards. See departmental website for transfer meeting schedule.

Undergraduate Courses (COMM)

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