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: P. Harrill; J. D. Ivory; J. A. Kuypers; R. M. Magee; M. Preston; A.P. Williams
Instructors: K. Garland; J. M. Gigio; D. Jenkins; E. Kanter; R. Lazenby; B. Quesenberry; E. W. Stallings; D. Wood
Adjunct Faculty: A. Kavanaugh; J. Ryan; G.N. Scheeler
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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
- 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
- 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 2104, 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.
- 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 Curriculum for Liberal Education (a.k.a. University Core) 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
- completed 15 hours in communication courses including COMM 1014
and 1024 plus 6 hours from COMM 2004, 2024, and 2034; and
- 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:
- An overall GPA of 2.0; and
- 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 Curriculum for Liberal Education (a.k.a. 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)
1014: INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION STUDIES
Survey of the field of communication studies from the interpersonal to the mass communication levels; emphasis on development of theories and concepts, social contexts, and message analysis. (3H,3C)
1015-1016: COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Introduction to oral and written communication. 1015: Focus on oral and written communication in interpersonal, small group, and public contexts. Special emphasis on the writing process, listening, interviewing, conflict resolution, critical analysis, and communication through electronic media. 1016: Continued Study in written and oral communication skills for small group and public contexts. Focus on practical applications in research and information gathering, audience analysis and adaptation, message development, and oral and written presentations. May not receive credit for both 1015-1016 and 2004. (3H,3C)
1024: INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION RESEARCH
Procedures for doing basic research in communication studies; strategies for selecting research topics; information sources in communication; guidelines for writing research papers; introduction to historical, humanistic, experimental, and descriptive research methods in communication studies. Pre: 1014. (3H,3C)
2004: PUBLIC SPEAKING
Basic skills of public speaking; speech organization and delivery; emphasis on in-class delivery of speeches. Credit may not be earned for both Comm 2004 and Comm 2014. Sophomore standing required. (3H,3C)
2014: SPEECH COMMUNICATION
Study of speech communication emphasizing the organization and delivery of messages based on audience analysis; examination of messages in the public, small group, and organizational contexts; emphasis is on theory applied to the delivery of speeches. Credit may not be earned for both Comm 2004 and 2014. Sophomore standing required. Pre: 1014, 1024. (3H,3C)
2024: MEDIA WRITING
Writing and information gathering skills including news, features, press releases, and advertising copy for broadcast, print and public relations media. This is a writing intensive (WI) course. Pre: 1014, 1024. (3H,3C)
2034: VISUAL MEDIA
An introduction to the visual image and visual thinking applied to photography, video, and film. Sophomore standing required. Pre: 1014, 1024. (3H,3C)
2044: PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
Principles of public relations practice; public relations in organizations; responsibilities of the public relations practitioner; legal and ethical considerations; role of public relations in society. Sophomore standing required. Pre: 1014. (3H,3C)
2054: INTRODUCTION TO FILM
Introduction to film as a medium for artistic communication. Sophomore standing required. X-grade allowed. (2H,3L,3C)
2064: THE RHETORICAL TRADITION
Great theories of rhetoric developed throughout the world during the past 2,500 years will be analyzed to demonstrate the dynamic, critical nature of persuasive thought. (3H,3C)
2074: INTRODUCTION TO MASS COMMUNICATION
Introduction to the history of and operation of the mass media in society, including the structure of mass media institutions, the process and effects of mass communication and the law and regulations that apply to mass communication. Does not count for Communication Studies major. Pre: Sophomore standing. (3H,3C)
2084: MEDIA INSTITUTIONS
Historical development, current industrial structure, and recent trends of different media institutions including print, film and electronic media. Emphasis on how economic incentives influence media content and the interconnections between media institutions. (3H,3C)
2094: COMM INTERNET & SOCIETY
This course examines the Internet as an emerging mass communication medium and its potential impact on society. Topics to be discussed include computer-mediated communication, emergence of on-line community, privacy in the information age, copyright, freedom of speech, antitrust, and electronic commerce. Students will also learn basic technical concepts of the Internet and software skills to create a web site. Pre: 1014. (3H,3C)
2104 (AINS 2104) (HUM 2104): ORAL TRADITIONS AND CULTURE
Examination of the world's great oral traditions, both ancient and contemporary. Emphasis on performance contexts, relationships among multicultural traditions, including American Indian oral traditions, and the relationships among orality, literacy, technology, media, and culture. (3H,3C) I.
2114: VERBAL ART AS PERFORMANCE
Introduction to aesthetic communication; basic concepts about the nature of verbal art as performance; skills in using the aesthetic resources of language, voice, and movement in the interpretation of verbal art; study of performance styles appropriate to fiction and non-fiction literary forms. Sophomore standing required. (3H,3C)
2964: FIELD STUDY
Pass/Fail only. Variable credit course.
2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
3024: MASS MEDIA HISTORY
History of the development of mass media from early writing systems through new technologies; emphasis on print and broadcast media in the United States. Pre: 1014. (3H,3C)
3034 (HUM 3034): THEORIES OF POPULAR CULTURE
Relationship of popular culture to communication; ways to classify, analyze, and evaluate popular culture; history of main themes with emphasis on the United States; cultural evolution of the electronic revolution. Junior standing required. (3H,3C) I.
3054: AMERICAN FILM GENRES
Close visual and cultural study of classic film genres. Emphasis is on the cinematic codes and narrative conventions which unify the genre and which are found in representative films. Exploration of genre films as symbols of American culture and society. Genres studied include the Western, the musical and the detective film. Pre: 2054. (3H,3C)
3124: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Basic theories and processes of person-to-person communication; interpersonal perception; verbal and nonverbal communication; establishment of relationships in the family and work situation. Junior standing required. (3H,3C)
3134: ARGUMENTATION AND DECISION-MAKING
Nature and function of human communication emphasizing the processes of argumentation and group decision-making; topics include reasoning, advocacy, discussion methods, and strategies. Junior standing required. Pre: 2004 or 1016. (3H,3C)
3144: WRITING AND EDITING FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS
Advanced writing and editing skills related to the preparation of press releases, feature articles, brochures, newsletters, fund-raising letters, annual reports, and webpages. Pre: Junior standing. Pre: 2024. (3H,3C)
3154: REPORTING
News gathering, news writing, and news judgment; development of news sources; establishing a news beat on campus. Junior standing required. Pre: 2024. (3H,3C)
3164: GROUP PROCESSES AND PRESENTATIONS
Study of group theory and its application to a group project, including team dynamics and leadership, conflict resolution, project management, and team presentation strategies. (1H,1C)
3174: BROADCAST WRITING
Writing for radio and television; techniques of broadcast interviewing; writing commercials, news, features, and documentary. Junior standing required. (2H,3L,3C)
3184: TELEVISION PRODUCTION
Production of television programs, features and commercials; terminology of basic audio and video operations; the television production process; camera operation; videotape editing; techniques for sound control, switching, lighting, and visual effects. Junior standing required. Pre: 2034. (2H,3L,3C)
3194: FILM PRODUCTION
Filmmaking theory and practice. Basic techniques and technology of filmmaking, Super-8 mm. Junior standing required. Pre: 2054. (2H,3L,3C)
3204 (HUM 3204): MULTICULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Exploration of communication in various cultural groups through the medium of performance. Emphasis on understanding cultural differences and similarities in styles of communication, aesthetics, worldviews, and values. (3H,3C)
3244 (PSCI 3244): POLITICAL COMMUNICATION
Distribution of political information; elite-mass communication; alternative models of political communication; communication and telecommunications policy. Pre: PSCI 1014 or PSCI 1024. (3H,3C)
3544 (ENGL 3544): LITERATURE AND FILM
Works of literature and the films into which they have been transformed; emphasis on differences between media. (3H,3C)
3984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
4014: MEDIA EFFECTS
Impact of mass media on individuals and on society; methods for documentation of media effects; research about effects on various demographic groups such as children, elderly, and minorities; effects of advertising; effects of interactive and time shift technologies. Senior standing required. (3H,3C)
4024: COMMUNICATIONS LAW AND ETHICS
Freedom of speech and press; how this freedom is limited in such areas as libel, privacy, copyright, contempt, free press/fair trial, judicial gag orders, reporters' shield laws; related ethical areas. Senior standing required. (3H,3C)
4034 (HUM 4034): FUNCTIONS OF POPULAR CULTURE
Popular culture as a humanistic discipline; emphasis on archetypes, formulas, and genres; the function of ideas, images, and icons on the popular imagination. Senior standing required. (3H,3C)
4044 (IS 4044): INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION
Comparative perspectives on global communication systems; problems with the flow of information; roles of international organizations; mass communication and national development; implications for conflict resolution; selected case studies. Senior standing required. (3H,3C)
4054: PUBLIC RELATIONS CASE STUDIES
Case studies applying public relations principles. Senior standing required. Pre: 2044. (3H,3C)
4064: PERSUASION
Theoretical foundations of persuasion; techniques of persuasion; persuasive media strategies; contemporary persuasive practice and campaigns. Senior standing required. (3H,3C)
4074: ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION
Role of communication in complex organizations; communication networks, communication and management, message systems, decision-making; relationships between organizational theory and communication. Senior standing required. (3H,3C)
4084: FILM HISTORY
Aesthetic, economic, social, and technological history of world cinema; film theory as it relates to the history of cinema. Junior standing required. Pre: 2054. (2H,3L,3C)
4094: BROADCAST MANAGEMENT
Broadcast management procedures; programming; sales and advertising. Senior standing required. Pre: 3184. (3H,3C)
4114: PHOTOJOURNALISM
Interpretive and creative photography applied to journalism; cameras, films, photography techniques; history of photography as communication; advanced darkroom techniques. Junior standing required. Pre: 2034. (3H,3C)
4124: ADVANCED REPORTING
Gathering and writing complex news and interpretative stories; emphasis on covering courts, governmental agencies, economic issues, consumer issues, and environmental issues; use of sources including human and data-base. Pre: 3154. (3H,3C)
4134: EDITORIAL WRITING
Development and function of the editorial page; writing of editorials, reviews, and personal columns; examination of role of letters and syndicated columns and cartoons; problems editorial writers face in their jobs and communities. Junior standing required. (3H,3C)
4144: MAGAZINE WRITING
The writing of feature material (as opposed to the reporting of hard news), plus detailed examination of several article types from a wide variety of contemporary magazines and newspapers. Junior standing required. Pre: 2024. (3H,3C)
4154: ELECTRONIC NEWS GATHERING
Production of television news programs. Elements of reporting, writing, performance, production, direction, editing, news management, videography, and executive producing. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 6 credit hours with different content. Pre: 3174, 3184. (1H,6L,3C)
4204: COMMUNICATION INTERNSHIP
Placement in a communication industry for practical internship under supervision by a departmental advisor and a professional in the field. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 6 hours credit. Junior standing and consent required. Pass/Fail only. Variable credit course.
4214: TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION RESEARCH
Selected topics in communication research. Offered on demand. Senior standing or consent required. (3H,3C)
4224: TOPICS IN MEDIA CRITICISM
Selected topics in media criticism. Offered on demand. Senior standing and consent required. (3H,3C)
4234: TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION PERFORMANCE
Selected topics in communication performance. Offered on demand. Senior standing and consent required. (3H,3C)
4244: TOPICS IN PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
Selected topics in public communication. Offered on demand. Senior standing and consent required. (3H,3C)
4254: TOPICS IN MEDIA WRITING
Selected topics in media writing; emphasis on critical analysis and writing. Senior standing required. (3H,3C)
4354: THE FILM DIRECTOR
Close thematic and visual analysis of the films of a single director. Directorial style assessed in terms of recurring visual and thematic patterns. Development and evolution of the director's style, and comparison with filmmakers whose work lacks a unifying "signature." Directors studied include Alfred Hitchcock, Charlie Chaplin, and Orson Wells. Taught alternate years. Pre: 2054. (3H,3C)
4364: ISSUE MANAGEMENT IN PUBLIC RELATIONS
Principles of issue management: creation, development, and resolution; role of rhetoric in public policy processes; legal constraints; strategies; social responsibility. Pre: 2044. (3H,3C)
4374: NEW COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
Identify recent trends in the innovation of new communications technologies; storage, transmission, and display systems of mediated communication: optical disc, common carriers, telecommunication-computer linkages, high-definition TV, and virtual reality; information industries and society; markets for new and existing telecommunication services. Junior or senior standing required. (3H,3C)
4384: CRITICISM OF PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
Study of rhetorical research method as systematic approach to the analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of public communication texts including speeches, film, and advertisements. Pre: 2064. (3H,3C)
4964: FIELD STUDY
Pass/Fail only. Variable credit course.
4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.
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