University General Course Catalog 2021-2022 
    
    Oct 08, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2021-2022 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

Communication Studies, B.A.


Communication Studies focuses both on the practice and development of skills for competent communication as well as analyzing and studying the how people create shared meanings and interpretations of the world around them.  Students with communication competency can find success in a variety of careers and enriched personal relationships.  Communication Studies aims to connect the classroom to the real world. Our department focuses on two interrelated areas of communication:  Relational Dynamics (RD) and Public Advocacy and Civic Engagement (PACE). Relational Dynamics focuses on the development and maintenance of relationships (personal, friendship, romantic, family, workplace, organizational, intercultural, and community). Public Advocacy and Civic Engagement focuses on how we influence and persuade public audiences through speaking, argument, and mediated communication.  Students learn about advocacy campaigns in business, political, community, or social movement contexts.

https://www.unr.edu/assessment/plans/liberal-arts

Student Learning Outcomes


Students will be able to:

  • demonstrate knowledge of the communication studies discipline including its theories, concepts, and how the study of communication is applied to academic and non-academic settings.
  • demonstrate competency in systematic inquiry and research methods including asking questions, finding appropriate resources and/or conducting independent data gathering and analysis, while understanding the limits of research methodologies.
  • demonstrate competency and confidence in oral message development and delivery including determining and focusing message purpose, organizing appropriate information, and effectively presenting a message appropriate to specific audiences and contexts.
  • demonstrate competency and confidence in written message development including adapting message to specific contexts, mediums, and audiences.
  • demonstrate competency in communication in relational settings (interpersonal, intercultural, group, and organizational environments).
  • demonstrate competency in communication for public advocacy contexts.
  • demonstrate competency in being an ethical communicator in and for our increasingly diverse and globalized world.

Contact Information


Department of Communication Studies
Lincoln Hall 318
(775) 784-6839

College of Liberal Arts Advising: http://www.unr.edu/liberal-arts/student-resources/academic-advising

Transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno


Use the transfer agreement  and the degree planner (available by clicking Print degree planner icon at the top right of this page) to build your plan for graduation with your advisor. Course substitutions not identified on the transfer agreement require UNR advisor approval.

If a major-to-major transfer agreement is not available for your transfer institution, please check the General Core agreement  if available. If neither is available, access Transferology to assist in your planning.

Graduation Requirements


  • Total Units | 120
  • Cumulative GPA | 2.0
  • University GPA | 2.0
  • Major GPA | 2.0
  • Major Coursework | Must earn a “C” or better in required major courses
  • Residency Requirement | 30 Upper-Division Units at UNR
  • Major Residency Requirements | 15 Units of the Major Requirements at UNR
  • Upper-Division Requirement | 42 Upper-Division Units
  • Half Program Units/4 Year Institution | 60 Units

I. Core General Education Requirements (24-27 units)


NOTE: Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter of this catalog for information regarding  the “Core English and Math Completion Policy  .”

Students in this major must meet all Core Objectives (CO1 through CO14). Courses satisfying Core Objectives are designated (e.g., CO9) in General Catalog curricula and course descriptions.

A. Composition & Communication; Critical Analysis & Use of Information (3-6 units) - CO1, CO3


B. Quantitative Reasoning (3 units minimum) - CO2


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO2 courses .

C. Physical & Natural Phenomena (6 units minimum) - CO4, CO4L


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO4/CO4L courses .

D. Cultures, Societies, & Individuals (3 units) - CO6


E. Artistic Composition, Interpretation, & Expression (3 units) - CO7


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO7 courses .

F. History & Culture; Constitution (6 units) - CO5, CO8


Refer to the Core Curriculum   Chapter in this catalog.

II. Additional Core Requirements (15 units maximum)


Students must take courses that satisfy the following Core Objectives. Some or all of these Core Objectives may be satisfied in the Major Requirements (Section IV). Refer to the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog.

A. Science, Technology & Society - CO9


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO9 courses .

B. Diversity & Equity - CO10


Choose one course. The following recommended courses can also be used in the Major Requirement:

C. Global Contexts - CO11


The following recommended course can also be used in the Major Requirement:

D. Ethics - CO12


E. Capstone Integration & Synthesis - CO13


Choose one course. The following recommended courses can also be used in the Major Requirement:

F. Application - CO14


Choose one course. The following recommended course can also be used in the Major Requirement:

III. Additional College Requirements (6-20 units)


Units may vary depending on initial course placement in foreign language coursework.

A. Foreign Language (0-14 units)


Successful completion of the foreign language requirement may be accomplished through one of four options:

  1. complete a fourth semester college course in a foreign language or in American Sign Language;
  2. demonstrate proficiency through placement examination or other means determined by the Department of World Languages and Literatures, including minimum CBAPE, SAT II, or IB scores;
  3. show transcript evidence of successful completion of four years of high school coursework in the same foreign language; or
  4. participate in a Studies Abroad program pre-approved by the college to meet the foreign language requirement.

B. College Breadth Requirement (6 units)


Students seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree in the college shall be required to take, within the College of Liberal Arts, 6 units that are outside the departments in which they major or minor, and that exclude courses taken to fulfill the Core General Education requirements (Core Objectives 1 through 8).

IV. Major Requirements (33 units)


A. Required Major Courses (12 units)


B. Communication Electives (21 units)


At least 15 of the 21 units required here must be taken at the 300-400 Level. 

V. Minor Requirements (18-21 units)


The Department of Communication Studies accepts any major approved by the College of Liberal Arts.

VI. Electives (4-24 units)


VII. Recommended Schedule


Use the Planner in MyNEVADA to build a custom graduation plan. Review and adjust the plan in each academic advisement session.

A. First Year


Fall Semester (16 units)


Spring Semester (16-17 units)


  • (3 units) CO1, CO3
  • Physical & Natural Phenomena (3-4 units) CO4L
  • Foreign Language 112 (4 units)
  • Artistic Composition, Interpretation, & Expression (3 units) CO7
  • 100-Level General Elective (3 units)

B. Second Year


Fall Semester (15-16 units)


Spring Semester (15 units)


C. Third Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


Spring Semester (15 units)


  • 300-400 Level Communication Elective (6 units)
  • 300-400 Level Minor (6 units)
  • 300-400 Level General Elective (3 units)

D. Fourth Year


Fall Semester (15-18 units)


Spring Semester (8-13 units)


  • Application (3 units) CO14
  • 300-400 Level Minor (3 units)
  • General Elective (2-7 units)