Main Departmental Office
General Academic Building, Room 309
Mailing Address:
1155 Union Circle #305268
Denton, TX 76203-5017
940-565-2588
Fax: 940-565-3630
Web site: www.comm.unt.edu
Associate Professors Allison, Gossett, Richardson, Taylor. Assistant Professors Anderson, Lain, Treat, Trudeau, Wang, Wittenberg-Lyles. Lecturer Petit.
Communication studies examines communication in human affairs and the symbolic processes through which humans interact by focusing on five basic behaviors associated with communication: analysis of self and others, effectively using and responding to verbal messages, effectively using and responding to non-verbal messages, listening and responding appropriately, and appropriately adapting messages to others. The curriculum is designed to facilitate student mastery of theory and research, to enhance communication skills and to enhance student preparation for a variety of careers or for graduate study. Many communication graduates pursue careers in education, consulting, organizational administration and management, training and development, and political communication. Others find communication to be a useful major in preparing for law, the ministry, politics and community relations.
The department offers course work in rhetorical, performance and social science traditions. Students are afforded opportunities to explore communication from applied and theoretical perspectives in organizational settings and through co-curricular activities. Course work features the investigation of communication in organizational, interpersonal, aesthetic, health, legal, political, cultural, intercultural and international contexts. Students encounter topics such as gender and diversity issues, social change, conflict, narrative and cultural studies.
The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the following areas:
Entering students interested in majoring in communication studies will be classified as pre-majors and will be advised by the department. Admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the communication studies major. To be admitted to major status (and become eligible to enroll in certain advanced courses), a pre-major must meet the following requirements:
1. Complete at least 30 hours of college credit, and
a. complete the university core English composition requirement with a grade of C or better in each course, and
b. complete COMM 1010, 2020, 2060 and 2140 with a grade of C or better in each course.
2. Have a UNT grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
A student who has completed 90 hours with at least a 3.5 grade point average is eligible to write a Senior Honors Thesis. Students who elect this option are expected to complete their theses in the course of a single term/semester.
1. Hours Required and General/College Requirements: A minimum of 120 semester hours, of which 42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree as specified in the “General University Requirements” in the Academics section of this catalog and the College of Arts and Sciences requirements. Students wishing to major in communication studies should consult an advisor in the Undergraduate Advising Office, General Academic Building, Room 320.
2. Major Requirements: A total of 39 semester credit hours:
3. Other Course Requirements: None.
4. Minor Requirements: Majors are required to complete a minor of at least 18 hours, including 6 advanced hours, from another department, or an interdisciplinary minor.
5. Electives: See four-year plan.
6. Other Requirements: Students majoring in communication studies are required to have a minimum grade of C in all COMM courses to graduate. Students must observe prerequisites for each COMM course. If a student registered for a course has not completed prerequisites for the course with a grade of C or better, the student is subject to being dropped from the course without notice. Prerequisites are listed with individual course descriptions.
Because of the high demand for many COMM courses, students who miss the first class day without prior consent of the instructor are subject to being dropped from the course so that other students may be added. It is the student’s responsibility to secure prior consent of the instructor.
The following four-year plan is one example of a variety of ways in which you can complete your chosen degree in four years, and will serve as guide for you to design your pathway to degree completion. Variations will depend on whether you need to take prerequisites or have college credit from exams or dual enrollment.
The College of Arts and Sciences expects you to have completed the State recommended high school program and be ready to enroll for Language 2040 or a mathematics course above college algebra. If you are not prepared for this level, the necessary prerequisites will either replace electives or increase the hours required for the degree.
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| COMM 1010, Introduction to Communication (may be used to satisfy a portion of the Understanding the Human Community requirement*) | 3 |
| COMM 2060, Performance of Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 1313, Computer Assisted College Writing I (recommended)* | 3 |
| LANG 2040, Foreign Language (intermediate, may be used to satisfy a portion of the Understanding the Human Community requirement)** | 3 |
| MATH (see approved list)** | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| COMM 2020, Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 2700, Technical Writing (recommended)* | 3 |
| LANG 2050, Foreign Language (intermediate)** | 3 |
| Natural Science* | 3 |
| Visual and Performing Arts* | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| COMM 2140, Rhetoric and Argument | 3 |
| HIST 2610, United States History to 1865* | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Humanities* | 3 |
| Physical Science** | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| COMM 3010, Communication Perspectives | 3 |
| HIST 2620, United States History Since 1865* | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Laboratory Science** | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences* | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| COMM Elective, Group A (advanced) | 3 |
| COMM Elective, Group B (advanced) | 3 |
| COMM Elective (advanced) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Minor | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| COMM Elective, Group C (advanced) | 3 |
| COMM Elective (advanced) | 3 |
| COMM Theory (advanced) | 3 |
| Minor | 3 |
| Minor | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| PSCI 1040, American Government* | 3 |
| COMM Elective (advanced) | 3 |
| Elective (advanced) | 3 |
| Minor (advanced) | 3 |
| Minor | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| PSCI 1050, American Government* | 3 |
| COMM Elective (advanced) | 3 |
| Elective (advanced) | 3 |
| Elective (advanced) | 3 |
| Minor (advanced) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
*See the University Core Curriculum section of this catalog for approved list of course options.
** See Arts and Sciences degree requirements section of catalog approved list of course options.
Actual degree audits may vary depending on availability of courses in a given semester.
Some courses may require prerequisites not listed. Students may wish to use opportunities for electives to complete a minor of their choice or secondary education courses for teacher certification.
The minor in communication studies requires a total of 18 semester hours, including at least 6 upper-level hours. Minors must observe the system of prerequisites for upper-level courses.
Departmental advisors are available for consultation on the minor in communication studies.
The College of Arts and Sciences encourages students to explore teaching at the secondary level as a career option. The student’s academic advisor in the Dean’s Office for Undergraduates and Student Advising in GAB, Room 220, can assist students with specific requirements for teacher certification in Speech. Upon completion of this program, students will be prepared to sit for the certification examinations in Speech.
Requirements: COMM 1010, 2020, 2040, 2060, 2140 and 3010 (taken prior to remaining courses); COMM 3620 or 3720 or 3920 or 4420; COMM 4240 or 4340; COMM 3260 or 3760 or 3860; COMM 4020 or 4040 or 4060; plus 9 advanced hours chosen in consultation with an advisor. See major for additional course work and GPA requirements.
Students must also complete the required 21 hours in upper-level education courses (EDSE 3800, 3830, 4060, 4070, 4108, 4118, 4840) and meet all GPA requirements to apply for state certification. In order to enroll for the first required education course, the student must make application to the certification program in the College of Education in Matthews Hall, Room 105.
All state certification requirements and information on required examinations is available on the web site of the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), www.sbec.state.tx.us.
The department offers degree programs leading to the Master of Arts and Master of Science. For information, consult the Graduate Catalog.
Students may develop and enhance critical thinking skills by participating in intercollegiate debate and performance activities. The national-caliber debate team competes actively in both on-campus events and tournament competition at the regional and national levels. The performance interest group participates in national festivals, sponsors on-campus performances and hosts the Petit Jean National Performance Festival.
This scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis to outstanding students who participate in the activities of the North Texas Debate Team.
Information about this scholarship may be obtained by writing to Professor Brian Lain, Department of Communication Studies, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #305268, Denton, TX 76203-5017.
This scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis to outstanding students who participate in the activities of the North Texas Debate Team. For more information about this scholarship, contact the Department of Communication Studies.
This scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis to outstanding students who major in communication studies and participate in the activities of the North Texas Debate Team. For information about this scholarship, contact the Department of Communication Studies.
This scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis to undergraduate students who participate in curricular performance studies classes and extracurricular performance studies, intercollegiate festivals and other activities.
Information about this scholarship may be obtained by writing to Dr. Jay Allison, Department of Communication Studies, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #305268, Denton, TX 76203-5017.
All Courses of Instruction are located in one section at the back of this catalog.
The “Course and Subject Guide,” found in the Courses of Instruction section of this book, serves as a table of contents and provides quick access to subject areas and prefixes.
Date of initial release: July 1, 2009 — Copyright © 2008 University of North Texas
Page updated:
March 22, 2010
— Comments or corrections: catalog@unt.edu
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