EMPHASIS IN ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION

12 Units

An emphasis in Organizational Communication prepares students for careers in business, nonprofit organizations, and government. These organizations depend on effective communication among individuals and units within the organization as well as with customers or other constituencies on the outside in order to achieve their goals. One of the primary causes of organizational malfunction is a failure to meet communication challenges, and these challenges are especially great in our multicultural society and the increase in globalization. Experts in organizational communication have the competencies needed to identify the barriers to effective communication within organizations, and between organizations and their customers or other constituencies, and to remove those barriers through organizational structural changes, policy changes, use of communication technologies and media, and training/development of employees. Students who complete their degree with this emphasis are prepared for careers such as that of communication trainer, community relations director or representative, conflict manager, customer service representative, director of corporate communications, executive manager, human resource manager, industrial and labor relations representative, mediator, negotiator, public information officer, or sales representative.

The organizational communication emphasis, combined with a business administration minor or Entrepreneurship minor, provides an exceptional background for those with an interest in careers that focus on communication in the business environment.

• HCOM 220 Interpersonal Conflict Management (3)
• HCOM 315 Social Media and Communication (3)
• HCOM 324 Communicating in Teams and Groups (3)
• HCOM 325 Interviewing: Principles and Practices (3)
• HCOM 326 Organizational Communication Dynamics (3)
• HCOM 333 Communication in Business and Professions (3)
• HCOM 370 Sport Communication (3)
• HCOM 425 Health Communication (3)
• HCOM 433 Training & Development (3)
• HCOM 445 Leadership: Toxic & Intoxicating Leadership (3)
• HCOM 492T Proseminar (variable topics) (3)

 

EMPHASIS IN INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION                         

12 Units

An emphasis in Interpersonal Communication provides students with the education needed for entrance into a variety of careers in social and human services. Success in these fields requires competencies in identifying, analyzing, and meeting the challenges of effective communication among individuals. Acquiring these competencies is the goal of the emphasis in Interpersonal Communication. The emphasis provides a basis for the pursuit of teaching credentials, and it provides an exceptional background of preparation for graduate studies in fields such as social work, counseling, and clinical psychology. An emphasis in Interpersonal Communication, combined with selected courses within the psychology minor, meets entrance requirements for most graduate programs in these fields. The selection of an emphasis in Interpersonal Communication suggests a special aptitude for and interest in human service careers, and the emphasis provides students with a unique and exceptionally strong background of theoretical as well as applied studies for graduate studies in the mental health professions.

• HCOM 220 Interpersonal Conflict Management (3)
• HCOM 310 Sex Communication (3)
• HCOM 315  Social Media and Communication (3)
  
• HCOM 313 Interpersonal Communication Theory (3)
• HCOM 318 Family Communication (3)
• HCOM 324 Communicating in Teams and Groups (3)
• HCOM 331 Sex and Gender in Communication
• HCOM 360 Nonverbal Communication (3)
• HCOM 370 Sport Communication (3)
• HCOM 413 Communication in Interpersonal Relationships (3)
• HCOM 425 Health Communication (3)
• HCOM 440 Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication (3)
• HCOM 492T Proseminar (variable topics) (3)

 

EMPHASIS IN INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

12 Units

An emphasis in Intercultural Communication provides students with specialized knowledge and skills in identifying, analyzing, and meeting the challenges of effective communication in a multicultural society, both in the context of organizations and among individuals. These challenges are transformed into career opportunities for those who have mastered the knowledge and skills of effective intercultural communication and are able to translate their knowledge to diverse intercultural applications. Students who complete the Intercultural Communication emphasis successfully are prepared for careers such as that of customer service and sales representative, diplomat, foreign correspondent, foreign relations or foreign service officer, host for foreign dignitaries, intercultural and diversity trainer, international corporate representative, international and study-abroad student advisor, and travel industry representative. The emphasis also provides an excellent background for those interested in careers in primary and secondary education, a variety of human and social service careers, and other careers for which a liberal arts education is required.

• HCOM 220 Interpersonal Conflict Management (3)
• HCOM 315 Social Media and Communication (3)
• HCOM 320 Intercultural Communication (3)
• HCOM 321 Latino/a Communication
• HCOM 331 Sex and Gender in Communication (3)
• HCOM 360 Nonverbal Communication (3)
• HCOM 370 Sport Communication
• HCOM 422 Applications of Intercultural Communication (3)
• HCOM 456 Intercultural Conflict: Theory & Practice (3)
• HCOM 492T Proseminar (variable topics) (3)

 

EMPHASIS IN ARGUMENTATION AND PERSUASION

12 Units

 An emphasis in Argumentation and Persuasion constitutes one of the strongest liberal arts educations available. Students learn how to think in a clear and logical manner, analyze information critically, formulate persuasive arguments, and deliver those arguments effectively, both in oral and in written forms. These skills are of great value in almost any career. Students who complete their degree with an emphasis in Argumentation and Persuasion are prepared for a variety of specific careers as well, including a career as a speech/debate coach. They are also prepared for careers in government and politics, such as that of a campaign aide or director, elected official, information officer, legislative assistant, or speech-writer. Others have used the emphasis as preparation for a career in the ministry. The emphasis offers particularly strong preparation for law school.

• HCOM 138* Intercollegiate Forensics (2)
• HCOM 236 Essentials of Debate (3)
• HCOM 315 Social Media and Communication (3)
• HCOM 330 Rhetoric of Popular Culture (3)
• HCOM 332 Process of Social Influence (3)
• HCOM 334 Persuasive Speaking (3)
• HCOM 335 Advanced Argumentation (3)
• HCOM 337 Communication in the Legal Arena (3)
• HCOM 338* Intercollegiate Forensics (2)
• HCOM 342 America Speaks (3)
• HCOM 370 Sport Communication (3)
• HCOM 426* Directing Forensics (3)
• HCOM 432 Contemporary Rhetoric (3)
• HCOM 426 Directing Forensics (3)
• HCOM 438 Principles of Rhetorical Criticism  (3)
• HCOM 492T Proseminar (variable topics) (3)

 * A maximum of 6 units in forensics (HCOM 138, 338, and/or 426 may count towards emphasis electives. Additional forensics units will count as non-major electives.

EMPHASIS IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES

12 Units

An emphasis in Communication Studies provides students with the opportunity to focus on two or more of the above emphases. Many students, for example, combine courses from the Intercultural Communication emphasis with either the Organizational or Interpersonal emphasis. The selection of courses must be advisor-approved and come from at least two of the emphases.

Select 12 units of advisor-approved courses from at least two of the above areas of emphasis.

View Human Communication Studies courses