Department of Communication (COM)


W. Stuart Towns, Chair


Frank A. Aycock
Kevin M. Balling
Norman Clark
Terry W. Cole
Jean L. DeHart
Matthew M. Doggett
Paul H. Gates, Jr.
Seong H. Lee
Jacob Matovu
Nina-Jo Moore
Jane H. Morgan
Monica T. Pombo
Sharon S. Pennell
Janice T. Pope
Patton B. Reighard
R. David Spiceland, Jr.
Kay Taylor
Glenda J. Treadaway
Carl H. Tyrie




The objectives of the Department of Communication are to prepare those
interested in entering specific communication professions such as electronic
media/broadcasting, journalism, advertising, interpersonal/intercultural/health
counseling, organizational consulting or training and public relations; to
provide a broad background of information and develop skills needed by those
students planning to enter other areas such as law, ministry, public service
and graduate studies; and to provide the University and community the
stimulation of debates and discussions of current issues, and the informative
and entertaining programs of radio and television.


The Department of Communication offers a diversified series of courses in the
areas of applied communication, electronic media/broadcasting, journalism,
public relations, and advertising. The department also supports co-curricular
programs including competitive intercollegiate forensics, the Appalachian radio
station (WASU) and TV programming, along with various community experiences in
journalism, public relations and advertising. The department actively supports
student organizations and national honorary societies which are related to
communication such as the Forensics Union, Pi Kappa Delta, National 
Broadcasting Society, Alpha Epsilon Rho, Applied Communication Club,
Advertising Club, International Communication Club, the Public Relations
Student Society of America and the Society of Professional Journalists.
Communication majors are expected to participate in the co-curricular
activities of the department.


To be qualified for admission to the Department of Communication, a student
must have met all current University requirements for the declaration of a
major.




A minor in Communication consists of 18 semester hours above the 1000 level
selected in consultation with and approval of the chairperson.




The Bachelor of Science degree in Communication, Advertising consists of 57
semester hours, including a core of 12 semester hours (COM 1100, 2101, 2300,
and 2310), and 45 semester hours of major courses [COM 2110, 2618, 2700, 3010,
3155, 3300, 3302, 3305, 3320, 3 semester hours from 3530-3549, 3928, 4300,
4400; MKT 3050 ( C minimum) and 4610]. In addition, students are required to
take ECO 2030 as a core curriculum requirement. Not included in the 57 semester
hours is the two semester hour minimum of free electives outside the major
discipline. A minor is required.




The Bachelor of Science degree in Communication, Electronic
Media/Broadcasting consists of 45 semester hours, including a core of 12
semester hours (COM 1100, 2101, 2300, and 2310), 24 semester hours of major
courses (COM 2316, 2612, 3300, 3301, 3305, 3316, 4315, and 4316), and 9
semester hours selected from one of two areas (Area I, Marketing/Management:
COM 3110, 3152, 3155, and 4300; or Area II, Production/Performance: COM 2600,
3110, 3306, 4302, 4416; TEC 1022; and CI 4830). Not included in the 45 semester
hours is the two semester hour minimum of free electives outside the major
discipline. A minor is required.




The Bachelor of Science degree in Communication, Journalism consists of 41
semester hours, including a core of 12 semester hours (COM 1100, 2101, 2300,
and 2310), and 29 semester hours of major courses (HIS 2101, PS 3280, COM 2600,
2610, 3100, 3300, 3305, 3600, 4200, and a two semester hour minimum of 2315).
Not included in the 41 semester hours is the two semester hour minimum of free
electives outside the major discipline. A minor is required.




The Bachelor of Science degree in Communication, Organizational/Public
consists of 51 semester hours, including a core of 12 semester hours (COM 1100,
2101, 2300, and 2310), 24 semester hours of major courses (COM 2110, 2121,
3110, 3155, 3300, 3305, 3928, and 4180), and one of the following
concentrations: Public Communication, 15 semester hours (COM 2106, 3124 or
3152, 3548, 4101 and 4111), or Interpersonal/Organizational Communication,
15 semester hours (COM 3100, 3124, 3152, 3547, and 4115). Not included in the
51 semester hours is the two semester hour minimum of free electives outside
the major discipline. A minor is required. 




The Bachelor of Science degree in Communication, Public Relations consists
of 51 semester hours, including a core of 12 semester hours (COM 1100, 2101,
2300, and 2310), 27 semester hours of major courses (COM 2600, 2618, 3010,
3300, 3318, 3618, 3928, 4318, and 4418), and selecting one of six sequence
options of 12 semester hours (Law: COM 3305, 2106 or 3155, LAW 2150, PS 3150;
Finance: COM 3305 and 3312, FIN 3010 or 3680, and 3071; Corporate: COM 3152 and
3312, MGT 3620 and 3630; International: COM 3124 and 3312, PS 2120 and 2240,
with 1040/1050 in a foreign language required as part of the Humanities Core;
Non-Profits: COM 3312, 3538, and 3620, SOC 1100; Other: 12 semester hours in
consultation with advisor). Students choosing a business minor are required to
take ECO 2030 as part of the core curriculum requirement. Not included in the
51 semester hours is the two semester hour minimum of free electives outside
the major discipline. A minor is required.




Honors Program
The Department of Communication offers an 18 semester hour honors program
composed of 15 semester hours of classroom honors work (of which 12 semester
hours must be in the Department of Communication) plus a three semester hour
honors thesis. Disciplinary honors courses will be drawn from designated honors
courses offered at the introductory, intermediate and advanced course levels in
the department. Enrollment in communication honors courses is by permission of
the Departmental Honors Coordinator. However, to graduate with honors in
communication, a student must be a major, have maintained an overall grade
point average of 3.4, an overall communication grade point average of 3.4, a
grade of no less than B in any honors designated courses and have completed a
departmental honors thesis.




COURSES OF INSTRUCTION IN COMMUNICATION (COM)
This catalog reflects only the fall and spring semester courses. Courses
offered in summer terms can be found in the Summer Sessions Bulletin.
(For a description of the course abbreviations used in the following list of
courses, see the index for abbreviations.)