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Revised 9/13/06
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS
Department of Communication Studies
Dr. Jay Allison, Chair
TO STUDENTS DECLARING A MAJOR IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES:
At the outset, let me welcome you to the Department of Communication Studies at the University of North Texas. I'm glad that you have chosen to major in this department
and I, along with the other members of the faculty, look forward to working with you to assist you in making academic and career decisions.
Communication Studies is an exciting field of study. Unlike some professional departments where a particular major trains the student to perform that particular task, majoring in Communication Studies prepares the student for a variety of career opportunities. In essence, we attempt to equip our students with the theories, skills, and training that will allow them to adapt to the demands of the 21st century marketplace. Recent surveys show that chief executive officers of major corporations value persons who are effective in verbal and non-verbal communication and who possess critical thinking and problem-solving skills. You will learn these skills as one of our majors.
The department has prepared this undergraduate academic, advising packet to assist you in planning your course schedules while at UNT. The undergraduate advisor is committed to meeting with majors to selecting courses. Similarly, we expect the student to be conscientious in knowing which courses are needed and which course requirements have already been met. As a major, you have an obligation to keep track of these advising materials and to keep track of which courses you have taken that satisfy the various requirements. One of the first things you need to know is under which catalog you entered the university. This is important because requirements vary depending on which catalog was in effect at the time you entered UNT. As a rule, entering freshmen and transferring students from a 4-year college or university will be under the catalog in effect the year they were admitted.
I wish you all the best in your studies and encourage you to make the most of your college experience. I look forward to the day when, at commencement, I can congratulate you on graduating with a degree in Communication Studies.
Sincerely,
Jay Allison, Ph.D
Chair, Department of Communication Studies
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES
The Department:
Communication Studies examines the role of communication in human affairs and the symbolic processes through which individuals interact with one another, their groups, and their culture. Courses are designed to help students develop critical thinking skills and to increase student understanding of a variety of communication behaviors. The department offers courses in subject areas such as public speaking, rhetoric, argumentation, social movements, performance of literature, persuasion, interpersonal communication, small group communication, organizational communication, intercultural and gender communication, health communication, political communication, and freedom of speech.
The Faculty: Faculty members in Communication Studies are scholars who have won numerous awards for outstanding teaching and research. Faculty members take an active interest in preparing students for productive citizenship after graduation.
Degrees Offered: UNT offers the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and the masters (MA or MS) degree through the COMM department.
Majoring in COMM Students majoring in COMM must complete 39 semester hours: 15 hours in a core, plus 24 hours distributed in the students area of interest in the department. Departmental advisors are available to assist student in selecting courses and developing career options.
Teacher Certification: Students who expect to teach Speech Communication in secondary schools must complete the departmental major plus certification standards required by the College of Education at UNT.
Internships: Advanced students may be selected to participate in communication internships. Interns work in positions that allow them to develop communication skills in professional contexts.
UNT Debate Team: Students may develop and enhance speaking skills by participating in the activities of the UNT Debate Team. Under the direction of Dr. Brian Lain, the national caliber debate team competes actively in the on-campus events and tournament competition at the regional and national levels. Debaters at UNT have won many tournaments and earned numerous speaker awards in debate competition.
Performance Interest Group (PIGs): The Performance Interest Group at UNT participates in regional and national festivals at conventions and sponsored on-campus performances including the Texts in Performance Series. Previously known as NT Readers Theater, the Performance Interest Group is directed by Dr. Kelly Taylor.
Scholarships: Scholarship funds are available to students interested in a participation in the activities of the UNT Debate Team and the Performance Interest Group.
Contact: Dr. Jay Allison Communication Studies UNT Box 305268 Denton, TX 76203 (940) 565-2588
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES
Majors: The major in Communication Studies consist of 39 semester hours distributed in the following manner: 15 hours of core courses:
COMM 1010: Introduction to Communication
COMM 2020: Interpersonal Communication
COMM 2140: Rhetoric and Argument
COMM 2060: Performance of Literature
COMM 3010: Communication Perspectives
9 hours distributed with one course from each of the following groups: