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Archived
November 24, 2014

 

Communication Studies

 

College of Liberal & Creative Arts

Interim Dean: Daniel Bernardi

 

Communication Studies Department

HUM 282
Phone: 415-338-1597
E-mail: comm@sfsu.edu
Chair: Joseph S. Tuman

 

Faculty:

Professors: Busby, Chen, Chung, Merrigan, Shimanoff, Tuman, Yep
Associate Professors: Golden, Isaacson, Kilgard, Lovaas, Sabee, Wingard
Assistant Professors: Johnson, McCormick

 

Programs

B.A. in Communication Studies

Minor in Communication Studies *

M.A. in Communication Studies

 

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Program Scope

Mission of the Department. We are committed to the study of human communication in various contexts from multiple and interconnected perspectives that contribute to a more humane world. Through communication humans form identities, connect with one another, examine values, enact cultures, and work collectively.

 

The department examines how people express themselves verbally and nonverbally; how identities are created, performed, and changed; how people listen to others; and how symbols relate to human behavior. It acknowledges, appreciates, and integrates human diversity in its various forms. It studies human communication in culturally and socially diverse contexts. It does so by using a variety of methods and technologies to discover and share knowledge about communication and to analyze, interpret, and perform discourse. Areas of study include language and social interaction, group processes, organizational communication, interpersonal and intercultural communication, rhetoric and political communication, public speaking, performance studies, and research methodologies.

 

Communication Studies students develop skills essential for leadership and career development, and for understanding and interpreting events. They learn to advocate and critically debate ideas in social and political settings, appreciate diverse communication styles, work productively in task-oriented groups, and engage in rewarding interpersonal relationships.

 

The department works to express what it perceives, feels, and believes, encouraging students to do the same so that all may engage openly in genuine dialogue. It also encourages the practice of hearing and honoring a variety of voices and celebrating creative and humane approaches to solving complex human problems in our local and global communities.

 

Impaction

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies program is impacted. This means that there are more students interested in studying communication studies than the program can accommodate. Therefore, entrance into the program is a selective and competitive process. Applications must be received during the application filing period and no later than the November 30^th deadline. Admissions decisions will be made in March or April of the following calendar year. Transfer applicants not admitted to the program, but who meet GE and University admissions requirements, will be admitted to their alternate majors. Continuing SF State students not admitted to the program will remain in their current majors.

 

Application Filing Periods

Applications for admission are accepted only during the application filing period for the fall semester: October 1^st to November 30^th (for admission the following fall). Applications are not accepted for spring semesters. Applications received outside of the fall semester open filing period will not be considered.

 

Transfer applicants from other colleges must submit an application via CSU Mentor at http://www.csumentor.edu.

 

Continuing SF State students must submit their change of major form directly to the communication studies department.

 

Advising. Students work with an assigned advisor to create their academic program. Students must consult with their advisor at the start of the program. Every undergraduate student's application for graduation must be signed by an advisor who has worked with that student and has approved the major program. Students may select an advisor or ask to be assigned to an advisor by contacting the department in their first semester in the major. Otherwise, students are assigned an advisor by the department.

 

Special Programs. See advisors before selecting these programs.

 

Forensics: A competitive intercollegiate program in policy debate and individual speaking events such as performance of literature, extemporaneous and persuasive speaking. Director: Whalen, Interim Director: Litzky.

 

English Language Arts: Students who wish to teach at the secondary level (grades 7 - 12) may prepare for the Secondary Credential Program with a subject matter program in English Language Arts. A program that combines communication studies and English courses is available. Advisors: Graff, English Department, Morris, English Department.

 

Career Outlook

Graduates in communication studies have an excellent track record entering their chosen career fields and attending graduate and professional schools. Our graduates have secured positions as public relations managers, human resources trainers, employment recruiting specialists, marketing representatives, civil rights activists, campaign managers, and sales representatives, among others. Advisors can assist students in planning programs of study that are attractive to graduate schools and to prospective employers.

 

The department's internship program has helped many students begin their careers. The program offers over 200 internship and service learning opportunities. Students are encouraged to seek advising from the department's internship coordinator: Dr. Isaacson.

 

Complementary Studies:

Bachelor of Arts students must complete at least 12 units of complementary studies outside of the primary prefix for the major. (Note: Students may not use an alternate prefix that is cross-listed with the primary prefix for the major.)

 

Students who complete two majors or a major and a minor automatically complete the complementary studies requirement. Additional ways to complete complementary studies for students in the communication studies major is completion of 12 units from one of the following:

• Partial completion of a second major, minor, or certificate in courses other than COMM, and not cross-listed with COMM.
• A single language other than English.
• A CSU or SF State supported study abroad program. (With advisor approval, some or all of the units taken as part of study abroad may be counted toward units in the major.)
• In one subject (prefix) other than COMM and not cross-listed with COMM.

 

Transfer students who have earned AA-T or AS-T degrees and are pursuing a similar B.A. degree at SF State are required to fulfill Complementary Studies requirements for their major only if these courses are included in the minimum units required for the major. Students should consult with a major advisor.

 

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies

Requirements for the Major

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies must complete a 40 unit program consisting of 32 units of breadth area requirements and 8 units of electives. There are eight breadth area requirements: Communication Diversity, Group and Organizational Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Language and Social Interaction, Performance Studies, Public Communication, Research Methodology, and Rhetoric and Political Communication. Students must successfully complete a GWAR (Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement) class before completing their first 8 upper-division units in the major.

 

With advisor approval, up to 9 units of lower division transfer courses may be counted toward the major as elective units. A maximum of 8 units may be counted toward electives within the major, from any combination of Projects Teaching Communication (COMM 685), Internship (COMM 695), and/or Independent Study (COMM 699). None of these three courses, COMM 685, COMM 695, COMM 699 can be repeated for credit in the major. Any course that is used to fulfill the GE Areas A and B4 requirements (formerly GE Segment I) cannot be counted within the major; however, COMM 150 and ENG 214, or equivalent courses, must be completed as pre-requisites to enrollment in any breadth area course in the COMM major.

 

Communication Studies (B.A.) — 40 units

Minor in Communication Studies

* The department is unable to accept applications to the minor program during our period for impaction - fall 2014 and spring 2015.

 

Select three courses (12 units), each of which is from a different breadth area; select 8 additional units with approval of a major/minor advisor. With consent of an advisor, up to 8 units of lower division coursework in communication may be counted toward the minor. However, any course that is used to fulfill GE Areas A and B4 requirements (formerly GE Segment I) cannot be used to fulfill minor requirements.

 

Communication Studies, Minor — 20 units

Master of Arts in Communication Studies

Admission to Program

The requirements for admission are an undergraduate major in communication, a 3.0 or better upper division grade point average, scores on the General Graduate Record Examination, and two letters of reference. Applicants not meeting these criteria may be eligible for conditional admission. Conditions may vary from completing 4 to 16 units of approved undergraduate courses in communication studies to earning a B or better in the initial three graduate courses, including COMM 700, Introduction to Graduate Study. None of the undergraduate units used in fulfilling prerequisites for advancement to classified status may be counted toward the satisfaction of course requirements in the graduate program. GRE scores and letters of recommendation should be sent directly to the graduate coordinator in the department: Dr. Wingard.

 

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: Students must take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) analytical writing test prior to applying for admission to the program. Students who achieve a score of 4.0 or higher will have passed the first level graduate writing requirement. Students who achieve a score below 4.0 on the GRE writing test may still be considered for admission to the program, based on the rest of their application materials, but will be required to retake the GRE or complete a department approved writing skills course (conditional admission) before meeting the first level writing requirement.
Level Two: Satisfactory completion of master's thesis or written comprehensive examination or creative project.

 

Upper-division courses the department offers may be considered, upon approval of the graduate advisor, except public performance courses.

 

Communication Studies (M.A.) — Minimum 35 units

Note: No more than 8 units may be from upper-division courses regardless of department; no more than 8 units, graduate or undergraduate, may be from an allied department; and no more than 8 units may be in any combination of COMM 850-852, COMM 855, COMM 885 or COMM 899. No more than 4 units may be listed on the ATC for any combination of COMM 851, COMM 852, or COMM 885.

 

Master's Thesis or Creative Work Project. Each candidate who selects the option of a Master's Thesis or Creative Work Project must submit a written proposal for approval and complete the department's Description of Proposed Culminating Experience form. After the proposal is approved and a supervising committee of two or more faculty members is established, the Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement form is signed and filed in the Division of Graduate Studies office. Following the candidate’s successful oral defense of the completed thesis or creative work project, a Final Report of Completion for the Culminating Experience is signed and filed in the Division of Graduate Studies.

 

Master's Written Comprehensive Examination. Each candidate who selects the option of Master's Written Comprehensive Examination must establish a three-member faculty committee and complete the department's Description of Proposed Culminating Experience form. Next, the Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement form must be signed and filed in the Division of Graduate Studies. The candidate then enrolls in COMM 896 and completes the examinations; COMM 896 is offered in the spring semester of each academic year.