Program: Communication Studies B.A.* - California State University, Stanislaus

Apr 02, 2025

2021-2022 Academic Catalog

View information for the Department of Communication Studies , including Learning Objectives for the department and its programs.

View the degree program Roadmap, which provide recommended advising maps to complete the degree program. Please consult your academic advisor as you develop your academic plan.

Academic programs also currently offered at the Stanislaus State Stockton Campus are followed by an asterisk (*). For more information about the Stockton Campus, visit the Stanislaus State Stockton Campus page.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students are expected to achieve the following competencies:

Oral Communication: Present oral messages using appropriate modalities and technologies for the audience, purpose, and context to accomplish communication goals
Writing: Construct written messages using appropriate modalities for the audience, purpose, and context to accomplish communication goals
Critical Thinking: Demonstrate to ability to think critically through the analysis of mediated and non-mediated messages
Research: Demonstrate the ability to read, comprehend, apply, synthesize and evaluate research in communication
Values: Demonstrate the ability to apply ethical frameworks in a variety of contexts in a multicultural and globalized society

Requirements

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements.

A student must comply with all University regulations and satisfy the following requirements:

Units and Residency (minimum of 120 units: 40 units of upper division coursework and 30 semester units at Stanislaus State. At least 24 of these 30 units must be earned in upper-division courses, at least 12 must be in the major, and at least 9 must be applicable to General Education-Breadth requirements)
Grade Point Average (minimum grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better)
General Education (minimum of 49 units)
Upper Division Writing Proficiency (minimum of 3 units)
- Writing Proficiency (WP) Course (may double count in the major)
United States Constitution and California State and Local Government (minimum of 3 units)
Multicultural Requirement (minimum of 3 units) (may double count with General Education requirements or in the major)

Subsequently all students must submit an application for graduation and receive approval from the major advisor, department chair, and Director of Academic Advising. For more information see the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements .

2. Complete the following prerequisites to the major:

(6-9 units)

a. Complete G. E. Area A1 by taking:

COMM 2000 - Public Speaking 3 unit(s)
or
COMM 2110 - Group Discussion Processes 3 unit(s)

b. Complete G. E. Area D2 by taking:

COMM 2011 - Introduction to Communication Studies 3 unit(s)
or
COMM 2200 - Introduction to Mass Media 3 unit(s) *

c. For those choosing the Public Communications and Media track, the following course is required:

JOUR 2150 - Writing for the Media 3 unit(s)

*Note: Students in the Public Communication and Media Track are encouraged to complete COMM 2200 - Introduction to Mass Media.

3. The following are department recommendations for completing lower-division G.E. requirements:

4. Complete the major with no fewer than 33 upper-division units, as approved by the major adviser.

Majors must take all courses counted toward the major for a letter grade if the letter grade option is available.

5. Students must achieve a C- grade or better in all prerequisites to the major.

6. Students must achieve a C- grade or better in all courses that count toward fulfilling the requirements for the major.

7. Students must achieve an overall average of 2.0 GPA or better in the major.

8. Completion of a minor is not required.

9. Laboratory and Internship Courses

The following laboratory and internship courses may not be applied to the major:

Laboratory and internship units, with a maximum of 9 total combined units, may count toward the 120 units required for graduation.

The Major

(33 units minimum)**

Students are reminded to check course descriptions carefully when selecting upper-division courses; enrollment may require completion of one or more prerequisites.

1. Complete the following required upper-division CORE courses

(12 units)

COMM 3200 - Communication Theory (WP) 3 unit(s)
COMM 3900 - Applied and Social Scientific Research Methods in Communication 3 unit(s) or
COMM 3910 - Critical and Interpretive Research Methods in Communication 3 unit(s)
COMM 4160 - Intercultural Communication 3 unit(s)
COMM 4900 - Senior Capstone 3 unit(s)

2. Complete two of the following upper-division BREADTH courses.

(6 units)

Include at least 3 units from group a and 3 units from group b below.

a. Complete 3 units OUTSIDE YOUR TRACK from the following courses:

i. Relational and Organizational Communication Track students, select one:

ii. Public Communication and Media Track students, select one:

b. Complete 3 units of upper-division COMM or JOUR Elective course taken outside of the Major track.

See your advisor for approval of this course. Laboratory and Internship courses may not be applied in the major; however, these courses may count toward the 120 units required for graduation.

3. Complete one of the following upper-division DEPTH TRACKS in Communication Studies:

(15 units)

Relational and Organizational Communication
Public Communication and Media

Depth Track in Communication Studies

(15 units)

A. Relational and Organizational Communication Track

(15 units)

1. Complete 3 units from the following courses:

COMM 3100 - Advanced Interpersonal Communication 3 unit(s) or
COMM 3110 - Organizational Communication 3 unit(s)

2. Complete 4 courses from the following upper-division electives:

(12 units minimum)

Courses may not cross-count with any other part of the Communication Studies major.

COMM 3100 - Advanced Interpersonal Communication 3 unit(s)
COMM 3110 - Organizational Communication 3 unit(s)
COMM 3120 - Management Communication 3 unit(s)
COMM 3150 - Professional Speaking 3 unit(s)
COMM 3900 - Applied and Social Scientific Research Methods in Communication 3 unit(s)
COMM 3910 - Critical and Interpretive Research Methods in Communication 3 unit(s)
COMM 4020 - Communication in the Classroom 3 unit(s)
COMM 4040 - Gender Communication 3 unit(s)
COMM 4050 - Relational Communication 3 unit(s)
COMM 4060 - Family Communication 3 unit(s)
COMM 4100 - Group Communication 3 unit(s)
COMM 4110 - Communication Training and Consulting 3 unit(s)
COMM 4115 - Communication for Leadership 3 unit(s)
COMM 4130 - Communication and Aging 3 unit(s)
COMM 4150 - Nonverbal Communication 3 unit(s)
COMM 4165 - Communication in Global Organizations 3 unit(s)
COMM 4170 - Professional Interviewing 3 unit(s)
COMM 4180 - Health Communication 3 unit(s)
COMM 4190 - Conflict and Communication 3 unit(s)

B. Public Communication and Media Track

(15 units)

1. Complete 3 units from the following courses:

COMM 3140 - Persuasive Messages 3 unit(s) or
COMM 3550 - Media and Public Perception 3 unit(s)

2. Complete 4 courses from the following upper-division electives:

(12 units minimum)

Courses may not cross-count with any other part of the Communication Studies major.

COMM 3140 - Persuasive Messages 3 unit(s)
COMM 3150 - Professional Speaking 3 unit(s)
COMM 3215 - Public Relations 3 unit(s)
COMM 3550 - Media and Public Perception 3 unit(s)
COMM 3620 - Sport Communication 3 unit(s)
COMM 3900 - Applied and Social Scientific Research Methods in Communication 3 unit(s)
COMM 3910 - Critical and Interpretive Research Methods in Communication 3 unit(s)
COMM 4140 - Rhetoric of Popular Culture 3 unit(s)
COMM 4200 - Mass Media Theory and Research 3 unit(s)
COMM 4215 - Public Relations Campaigns 3 unit(s)
COMM 4220 - Technology and Communication 3 unit(s)
COMM 4400 - Visual Communication 3 unit(s)
COMM 4500 - Political Communication 3 unit(s)
JOUR 3030 - Freedom of Speech and Press: Contemporary Issues 3 unit(s)
JOUR 3040 - History of Journalism 3 unit(s)
JOUR 3600 - Magazine Editing and Production 3 unit(s)

Responsive Menu

Program Learning Outcomes

Requirements

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements.

2. Complete the following prerequisites to the major:

a. Complete G. E. Area A1 by taking:

b. Complete G. E. Area D2 by taking:

c. For those choosing the Public Communications and Media track, the following course is required:

*Note: Students in the Public Communication and Media Track are encouraged to complete COMM 2200 - Introduction to Mass Media.

3. The following are department recommendations for completing lower-division G.E. requirements:

a. Complete Area A3 by taking:

b. Complete Area E by taking:

c. Complete Area B4 by taking:

4. Complete the major with no fewer than 33 upper-division units, as approved by the major adviser.

5. Students must achieve a C- grade or better in all prerequisites to the major.

6. Students must achieve a C- grade or better in all courses that count toward fulfilling the requirements for the major.

7. Students must achieve an overall average of 2.0 GPA or better in the major.

8. Completion of a minor is not required.

9. Laboratory and Internship Courses

The Major

1. Complete the following required upper-division CORE courses

2. Complete two of the following upper-division BREADTH courses.

a. Complete 3 units OUTSIDE YOUR TRACK from the following courses:

b. Complete 3 units of upper-division COMM or JOUR Elective course taken outside of the Major track.

3. Complete one of the following upper-division DEPTH TRACKS in Communication Studies:

Depth Track in Communication Studies

A. Relational and Organizational Communication Track

1. Complete 3 units from the following courses:

2. Complete 4 courses from the following upper-division electives:

B. Public Communication and Media Track

1. Complete 3 units from the following courses:

2. Complete 4 courses from the following upper-division electives:

**Courses may not cross-count for more than one requirement in the Major. No course substitutions.