UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls

Communication Studies

Curriculum

Communication Studies Major

Core Requirements: 12 Credits
COMS 106 Interpersonal Communication 3 cr.
COMS 286 Introduction to Communication Studies 3 cr.
COMS 308 Small Group Communication 3 cr.
COMS 486 Senior Capstone 3 cr.
 
Goal Requirements: 12 credits

Students will take courses to fulfill the five goals of the Communication Studies Program.

Goal One: Students must take TWO of the following courses to fulfill the goal "Ability to Collaborate."
COMS 206 Family Communication
COMS 213 Intercultural Communication (d)
COMS 216 Communication & the Interview
COMS 306 Nonverbal Communication
COMS 308 Small Group Communication 3 cr.
COMS 316 Organizational Communication
COMS 318 Communication and Leadership
COMS 416 Communication Training and Development
COMS 440 Gender Communication
 
Goal Two: Students must take ONE of the following courses to fulfill the goal "Ability to be Innovative, Strategic and Effect Communicators."
COMS 206 Family Communication
COMS 211 Public Speaking
COMS 213 Intercultural Communication
COMS 216 Communication in the Interview
COMS 306 Nonverbal Communication
COMS 308 Small Group Communication
COMS 312 Argumentation and Decision Making
COMS 315 Communication and Social Change
COMS 318 Communication and Leadership
 
Goal Three: Students must take ONE of the following courses to fulfill the goal "Ability to Comprehend Communication Literacy."
COMS 206 Family Communication
COMS 306 Nonverbal Communication
COMS 308 Small Group Communication
COMS 314 Rhetorical Criticism
COMS 315 Communication and Social Change
COMS 316 Organizational Communication
COMS 319 Freedom to Speak
COMS 416 Communication Training and Development
COMS 440 Gender Communication
 
Goal Four: Students must take ONE of the following courses to fulfill the goal "Ability to Communicate Ethically."
COMS 211 Public Speaking
COMS 213 Intercultural Communication
COMS 216 Communication in the Interview
COMS 312 Argumentation and Decision Making
COMS 315 Communication in Social Change
COMS 318 Communication and Leadership
COMS 319 Freedom to Speak
COMS 314 Rhetorical Criticism
COMS 416 Communication Training and Development
 
Individual Study Requirements: 3-4 Credits

Students will take one of the following to complement their course of study in consultation with their advisor.

COMS 379 Communication Studies Internship (3-4 hours)
COMS 499 Independent Study (3 hours)
 
Directed Electives: to total 36 credits in major area

Students must take additional credits COMS to equal a minimum of 36 credits in the major.

Supporting Course

Students must take either COMS 101 or COMS 116 as a supporting course for the major.

Communications Studies Minor - Elementary Education

Communication Studies Minor - Elementary Education 24 Total Credits
Required Courses: 9 cr. hrs.
COMS 106 Interpersonal Communication 3 cr.
COMS 286 Introduction to Communication Studies 3 cr.
COMS 308 Small Group Communication 3 cr.
COMS 486 Senior Capstone 3 cr.
 
Directed Electives: 9 cr. hrs.
COMS 208 Problem Solving in Small Group Communication 3 cr.
COMS 327 Children's Theatre and Puppetry 3 cr. 
COMS 328 Creative Dramatics for Children and Special Populations 3 cr.
COMS 335 Directing l 3 cr.
or
COMS 231 Stage Technology and Scene Painting 
 
Electives in COMS: 6 cr. hrs.

A research/writing course experience is required in the major or another field; COMS 284 Sophomore Seminar or another course approved by the department chair, will satisfy this requirement. A senior portfolio experience is require in the major or another; COMS 484, Senior Portfolio Seminar or another course approved by the department chair, will satisfy this requirement.

Communication Studies Minor - Liberal Arts, B.S.

24 Total Credits
Required Courses: 12 cr. hrs.
COMS 106 Interpersonal Communication 3 cr.
COMS 207 Listening Skills 3 cr.
COMS 306 Nonverbal Communication 3 cr.
COMS 311 Persuassion 3 cr.
 
Directed Electives: 12 cr. hrs.
COMS 208 Problem Solving in Small Croup Communication 3 cr.
or
COMS 316 Organizational Communication
COMS 211 Public Speaking 3 cr.
COMS 312 Argumentation and Decision Making 3 cr.
COMS 313 Intercultural Communication 3 cr.
COMS 314 Introduction to Criticism for Oral Communication 3 cr.
COMS 319 Freedom to Speak 3 cr.
COMS 414 Speech in History 3 cr.
COMS 440 Gender Communication 3 cr.
COMS 370 Intercollegiate Debate 1 cr.
or
COMS 371 Intercollegiate Forensics 1 cr.
or
COMS 379 Internship in COMS 3-12 cr.
COMS 499 Independent Study/Independent Research 1-3 cr.

A research/writing course experience is required in the major or another field; COMS 284 Sophomore Seminar or another course approved by the department chair, will satisfy this requirement. A senior portfolio expereince is required in the major or another field; COMS 484, Senior Portfolio Seminar or another course approved by the department chair, twill satisfy this requirement.