Golden Chain Induction - Nov 1, 2009
Apply to Major in Communication Studies
Melinda Alston & Bethany Barnes Receive Top Undergrad Research Project Award
Faculty Members Nominated for Teaching Awards
Student Kiya Ward Receives Award
Department Head's Advisory Board Formed
Faculty member selected for the Houle Engaged Scholar Program
Faculty & Student Book Receives Award
Communication Studies Alum Signs Pro Basketball Deal
Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society 2008 Inductees
Dept. Scholarship Winners 2008 Announced
Graduate Student Receives Several Awards
Communication Studies Professor Authors Textbook on Conflict Resolution
Professor Authors Innovative Communication Textbook
A Call For Dialogue
Department of Communication Studies
Selecting Courses in the Communication Studies Major
The Basic Structure of the Major
The communication major at UNCG is a broad-based approach to preparing students for a wide range of communication careers or further study in graduate school. The required core courses in the major cover the components of the mission statement and ground the student in the foundations of communication practice and theory. The rest of the major should be comprised of courses that suit the student’s goals for personal and career development. Communication is an overlay for many other fields of study, therefore, it is wise to consider a major, minor, or cognate area that supplements our major with the content of another field. Your employability will be enhanced if you can demonstrate a focus of expertise. See the current UNCG Undergraduate Bulletin for more detailed description of communication studies.
Other Resources For Students
- The National Communication Association has long recognized divisions of expertise and organizes its membership by allowing professionals to affiliate with appropriate divisions. In thinking about focusing your own interests in the major, the faculty at UNCG invite you to explore the NCA website at www.natcom.org
- In the Communication Department foyer (102 Ferguson Bldg.), there is a table of resources for you to take, including brochures and sheets of information about career possibilities, courses, and other academic opportunities in the major.
Structuring Free Electives in the Major
Below are some suggestions for thinking about how to structure the free electives in the major. You can maximize your selections by carefully discussing career plans and course suitability with your advisor. Below you will see clusters of courses that support different communication themes or career directions. Remember, these are just suggestions. The possibilities are wide open, so be creative in your thinking process.
Relational/Intercultural/Diversity/Cultural Studies
- CST 300 Communication Theory
- CST 399 Research Methods
- CST 335 Intercultural Communication
- CST 344 Negotiation and Conflict Management
- CST 460 Communicating Common Ground
- CST 460 Cases in Gender and Communication
- CST 460 Communication and Prejudice
- CST 502 Semiotics of Everyday Life
- CST 555 Relational Communication and the Hollywood Feature Film
- Study Abroad
Law/Government/Advocacy/Ministry/Community
- CST 305 Persuasion in Western Culture
- CST 311 Cooperative Argumentation
- CST 315 Strategic Communication
- CST 344 Negotiation and Conflict Management
- CST 412 Communication Internship
- CST 460 Communicating Common Ground
- CST 460 Community and Civil Rights
- CST 506 Speaking Out for Community Change
Minor in political science, women’s and gender studies, African-American studies, religious studies
Pursue law school, the seminary, or master’s in public administration
Public Relations/Human Resources/Organizations
- CST 308 Strategies in Organizational Communication
- CST 315 Strategic Communication
- CST 341 Business and Professional Communication
- CST 342 Communication and Public Relations
- CST 344 Negotiation and Conflict Management
- CST 350 Small Group and Team Communication
- CST 360 Studies in Communication Across the Curriculum
- CST 399 Communication Research Methods
- CST 412 Communication Internship
- CST 460 Organization, Culture, and the New Economy
- CST 562 Organizational Change
Minor in business
Family
- CST 337 Intercultural Communication
- CST 344 Negotiation and Conflict Management
- CST 350 Small Group and Team Communication
- CST 460 Cases in Gender and Communication
- CST 555 Relational Communication and the Hollywood Feature Film
Double major or minor in human development and family studies, counseling, early childhood education
Graduate Study in Communication Studies (Traditional Training for University Teaching and Research)
Advice to Student: Take all the courses in the core, including both 300 and 305. Use your free electives to build a basic foundation in the field so that you arrive in graduate school with enough knowledge to know the field of communication. In graduate school, you can then specialize or focus your studies. You may also prepare yourself for a teaching assistantship. Work as a communication consultant in the UNCG Speaking Center. Pursue the Honors Program. Suggested courses beyond the core include:
- CST 308 Strategies in Organizational Communication
- CST 350 Small Group and Team Communication
- CST 390 Studies in Communication Across the Curriculum
- CST 399 Communication Research Methods
- CST 493 Honors Work
- CST 599 Communication Pedagogy