Program Overview

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Communication Studies, BA

Program Description

Communication and Media Studies is a high-demand major. On-campus change of majors are limited by the number of students who can be served by the faculty and facilities of the program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students should be able to:

1. Improve written, oral, and multimedia communication skills
2. Practice collaborative learning and leadership skills
3. Critically analyze media messages and understand media theory, research, law, and ethics
4. Demonstrate a practical skill related to a media industry
5. Integrate and apply academic skills in experiential learning

Degree Requirements

See the “Degree Requirements ” in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

General Education Requirements (48 units)

See the “General Education ” requirements in the University Catalog for information on General Education requirements. Some major requirements may double count for GE requirements.

Core Courses

(24 Units Required)

• COMS 200 - Principles of Media Communication Unit(s): 4
• COMS 160A - Humanities Learning Community Unit(s): 4
• AND
• COMS 160B - Humanities Learning Community Unit(s): 4
• COMS 202 - Methods of Media Criticism Unit(s): 4
• COMS 162A - Humanities Learning Community Media Literacy Unit(s): 4
• AND
• COMS 162B - Humanities Learning Community Media Literacy Unit(s): 4
• COMS 301 - Media Theory and Research Unit(s): 4
• CINE 301 - World Cinema History & Theory Unit(s): 4
• COMS 302 - Media Ethics and Law Unit(s): 4
• COMS 402 - Senior Seminar Unit(s): 4
• COMS 499 - Media Internship Unit(s): 1-4 (4 Unit(s) Required)

Skill Courses

(4 units required - additional units can be used for COMS elective credit)

• COMS 201 - Video Production Unit(s): 4
• COMS 210 - Web and Print Journalism Unit(s): 4
• COMS 240 - Public Relations Unit(s): 4
• COMS 265 - Radio and Audio Production Unit(s): 4
• COMS 320 - Selected Topics in COMS Unit(s): 4 (e.g. Advanced Video Production)
• COMS 322 - Broadcast Journalism Unit(s): 4
• COMS 323 - Health Science and Environmental Journalism Unit(s): 4
• COMS 325 - New Media Unit(s): 4
• COMS 326 - Advanced Presentation Techniques Unit(s): 4

Media Outlets

(8 units required- additional units can be used for COMS elective credit)

• COMS 340 - Public Relations Firm Lab (Primitivo) Unit(s): 4
• COMS 368 - Newspaper Writing/Editing Lab (STAR) Unit(s): 4
• COMS 369 - Video Production Lab (Studio Blue) Unit(s): 4
• COMS 385 - Media Lab: Radio (KSUN Unit(s): 4

Major Electives

(8 units are required)

• COMS 273 - SYRCE: Topics in COMS Unit(s): 4
• COMS 275 - 21st Century Television As Art Unit(s): 3
• COMS 320 - Selected Topics in COMS Unit(s): 4 (e.g. Sports Talk)
• COMS 321 - International Communication Unit(s): 4
• COMS 435 - Seminar in Mass Media Unit(s): 4

Units

Total units needed for graduation: 120 units

Program Roadmaps

• Communication Studies, BA, Sample Four-Year Plan
• Communication Studies, BA, Sample Two-Year Plan