Program Overview

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Communication Studies Degree

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Program Type

Major

Format

On Campus

Estimated Time to Complete

4 years

Credit Hours

120

Overview

Communication studies is the study of human communication across a wide range of contexts, including interpersonal, digital, organizational, political, and aesthetic/creative environments. With a degree in communication studies, students master communication theories and research, develop communication skills (oral, written, interpersonal, and group communication), and enhance their preparation for a variety of different careers or for graduate study.

Requirements

• Oral and written communication
• Multi-cultural/diversity competencies
• Conflict management
• Ethical communication
• Teamwork

Areas of Study

Interpersonal, Digital and Organizational Communication

Examines the impact of communication theory in multiple contexts. It explores how human and digital communication influences cultures, groups, and individuals. It also teaches effective communication in different types of organizations.

Communication, Culture and Public Discourse

Examines how communication is influential in the formation and growth of every culture. It explores the power of communication in terms of persuasion, public advocacy, public address, and public policy.

Performance Studies

Examines how performance is central to the development of human beings and cultures. We are always performing different roles, and performance is a tool used to communicate different messages.

Marketable Skills

• Oral and written communication
• Multi-cultural/diversity competencies
• Conflict management
• Ethical communication
• Teamwork

Degree Highlights

Faculty members are dedicated to high-quality teaching and research, many having earned recognition for their contributions inside and outside the classroom.

Our department supports the UNT Debate Team, a student chapter of the Lambda Pi Eta national honor society, the NCA Future Pros organization and the Performance Interest Group.

The Debate Team is consistently recognized as one of the nation's best, and regularly has students participate in the prestigious National Debate Tournament.

Our faculty members have collaborated on projects for the North Texas Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, Denton County Friends of the Family and the Texas Fire Chiefs Academy.

Communication Studies majors have completed internships with, Clear Channel Communications, ESPN Radio Dallas, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Red Bull Communications and The Richards Group.

Our program offers personalized student attention within a tight-knit community committed to developing the next generation of organizational, group, and community leaders.

Career Opportunities

Communication Studies majors examine human communicative behavior and the symbolic processes through which humans interact. Many graduates pursue careers in:

• Consulting
• Corporate communication
• Human resources
• Law
• Management
• Marketing
• Non-profit administration
• Public relations
• Teaching

Sample Courses

Storytelling, Narrative and Everyday Life

Investigation of the role of story in the formation of identity and culture, as well as exploration of the narrative structure of everyday life.

Argumentation and Debate

Theory, research and practice in developing and presenting arguments on public policy issues; reasoning, strategy and oral advocacy.

Intercultural Communication

Knowledge and skills designed to increase intercultural communication competence. Investigation into the ways in which culture interrelates with and affects communication processes. Examines affective, behavioral and cognitive processes involved in intercultural learning.

The Zombie as Rhetorical Figure

Explores the rhetorical figure of the zombie, its cultural force, the way it is put into the service of different structural forces, and made to speak for certain causes. Attends to the zombie figure’s roots and circulation across film, television, graphic novels, other literature, and even scientific inquiry in order to track its meaning and uses.

Communication Theories of Sexuality

Examines the ways in which sexuality is constituted through (public) discourses. Uses critical theories to investigate rhetorics that sustain multiple and intersecting sexual identities and gender performances, and apply to everyday experiences with popular culture. Topics addressed include the rhetorical construction and disciplining of heteronormativity, homonormativity, heterosexual and queer sexualities, as well as performances of masculinity and femininity.

Interpersonal Communication

Introduction to interpersonal communication research results and theories with application in two-person and small group relationships in a variety of human communication contexts.