This portion of the catalog was edited after the catalog was published. Updated September 20, 2013.
Communication Studies engages in both social-scientific and humanistic approaches to the analysis, understanding and improvement of human communication. The discipline traces its roots to ancient Greek and Roman studies of the functions of public discourse in society, but in the twentieth century communication came to embrace the studies of interpersonal and small group interaction, human relations in organizations, media and society, and intercultural interaction. Although interdisciplinary in spirit, the discipline has a core of knowledge, theory, and concepts concentrating on such things as symbols, messages, interactions, networks, audiences, and persuasive campaigns. Uniting the field is the belief that the role of communication in human experience is basic to comprehending complex situations and problems in the modern world. The discipline has roles in both the broad traditions of liberal arts education and in the development and refinement of practical skills.
The Department of Communication Studies at The University of Montana-Missoula focuses on three broad areas of study: interpersonal interaction and human relationships, organizational communication, and rhetoric and public discourse. The knowledge and skills the student may acquire in each of these areas are important to functioning effectively in one's personal life, at work, and as a citizen of the larger society in a rapidly changing world.
The program in Communication Studies helps to prepare students for such diverse professions as: public relations officer, marketing analyst, human resources or personnel manager, community mediator, political speech writer, health communication trainer, social services director, or student services coordinator. Also, undergraduate and graduate study can assist the student in pursuing advanced studies for law, the ministry, and higher education.
To be admitted to the Communication Studies major, a student must complete COMX 111A (COMM 111A) and two other lower-division COMX (COMM) courses.
Students who intend to major in communication studies but who have not yet met the above requirements are admitted to the program as Pre-Communication (PCOM) majors. (PCOM) majors may enroll in 100- and 200-level COMX (COMM) courses only. Students must be fully admitted as Communication Studies (COMM) majors to enroll in 300- and 400-level courses.
To graduate with a degree in Communication Studies, the student must complete 36 COMX (COMM) credits with 18 of those credits in courses numbered 300 or above. A maximum of 6 credits in COMX 312 (COMM 360) and a maximum of 6 credits in COMX 398 (COMM 398) may count toward a major in communication studies. The following courses are required:
To meet the Upper-division Writing Expectation for the major in Communication Studies, students must successfully complete one of the following courses: COMX 347, 414, 413, 421, 422, 424, 445, 447, 449 (COMM 377, 410, 413, 421, 422, 424, 455, 480, 481) or another course approved for this purpose by the University curriculum committee.
COMM majors are advised to take courses in other allied disciplines throughout the University that will provide an increased understanding of communication, such as anthropology, business, English, environmental studies, linguistics, management, marketing, political science, psychology, social work, and sociology and women's and gender studies.
Students also are encouraged to consider a second major and/or minor in fields that complement their communication degree. For instance, students interested in helping professions and associated content areas (e.g., children, families, aging) may choose the human and family development minor or the minor in gerontology. Student interested in new communication technology and its use within organizations should consider the media arts minor, while students interested in non-profit organizations should consider the minor in non-profit administration. Students in the rhetoric and public discourse should consider the minor in women's and gender studies or climate change.
Students can integrate courses in other fields into the COMM major by pursuing one or more of the options listed below.
Communication and Human Relationships Option
Students who elect to concentrate in communication and human relationships must complete:
All the core requirements listed previously.
At least five courses from the following: COMX 202S (COMM 202S) (Nonverbal Communication), 311 (COMM 311) (Family Communication), 380 (COMM 380) (Gender and Communication), 414 (COMM 410) (Communication in Personal Relationships), 412 (COMM 412) (Communication and Conflict), 413 (COMM 413) (Communication and Conflict-Writing) and 415 (COMM 451) (Intercultural Communication), COMX 485 (COMM 485) Communication and Health.
At least four courses from the following list: ANTY 227, 427 (ANTH 227, 427); COUN 485; EDEC 310 (C&I 355); HFD 412; NAS 342; PSYX 230S, 233, 345, 339, 360S, 385S, 348 (PSYC 240, 245, 336, 340, 350S, 351S, 385); SOCI 220S, 275S, 330, 332, 350 or 382 (SOC 220, 275S, 300, 330S, 340, or 350); SW 300, 420, 460.
Students may petition to count appropriate special topics or transfer courses upon recommendation of the student's advisor. All courses should be selected in consultation with a faculty advisor. Students electing this option are encouraged to minor in Human and Family Development.
Students who elect to concentrate in organizational communication must complete:
All the core requirements listed previously.
At least five courses from the following: COMX 210 (COMM 240) (Communication in Small Groups), COMX 351 (COMM 321) (Principles of Public Relations), COMX 352 (COMM 322) (Public Relations Writing), COMX 412 (COMM 412) (Communication and Conflict), COMX 421 (COMM 421) (Communication in Nonprofit Organizations), COMX 422 (COMM 422) (Communication and Technology in Organizations), COMX 423 (COMM 423) (Practical Issues in Organizational Communication), COMX 424 (COMM 424) (Risk, Crisis and Communication), COMM 425 (Communication in Health Organizations), and COMX 415 (COMM 451) (Intercultural Communication).
At least three courses from the following list: ANTY 220S (ANTH 220S), BGEN 320E (MGMT 320E), BGEN 360 (MGMT 368), BMGT 340S (MGMT 340S), BMGT 357 (MGMT 457), BMGT 480 (MGMT 480); BMKT 325 (MKTG 360), BMKT 343 (MKTG 363), BMKT 412 (MKTG 412); PSCI 361, 462, 466, 467 (PSC 361, 460, 466 and 467); SOCI 306, 345, 371 (SOC 306S, 320, 370S).
Students may petition to count appropriate special topics or transfer courses upon recommendation of the student's advisor. All courses should be selected in consultation with a department faculty advisor.
Students who elect to concentrate in rhetoric and public discourse must complete:
All the core requirements listed previously.
At least four courses from the following: COMX 241 (COMM 241) (Persuasive Communication), COMX 242 (COMM 242) (Argumentation),COMX 343 (COMM 350) (Persuasive Speaking and Criticism), COMX 347 (COMM 377) (Rhetoric, Nature and Environmentalism), COMX 349 (COMM 379) (Consumption, Media, and the Environment), COMX 380 (COMM 380) (Gender and Communication), COMX 445 (COMM 455) (Rhetorical Criticism and Theory), COMX 447 (COMM 480) (The Rhetorical Construction of "Woman"), and COMX 449 (COMM 481) (The Rhetoric of U.S. Women's Activism).
At least four courses from the following: ANTY 122S (ANTH 102); CCS 203; ECNS 433, 445 (ECON 440, 445); ENST 320, 367, 421 (EVST 167H, 367, 420); HSTA 102H, 262, 321, 322, 344, 387, 388, or 478; HSTR 272E, 302, 364 ,384E (HIST 152H, 262, 357, 358,362, 370H, 371H 226E, 301H, 364, 335E); MAR 101L; PHL 235 (PHIL 211), PHL 422 (EVST 427); PSCI 250E, 342, 343, 352, 355, 444, 471 or 474 (PSC 150E, 342, 343, 352, 355, 444, 471 or 472); SOCI 220S, 225, 325, 350, 470, 485 (SOC 220, 225, 325, 340, 470 or 485).
Students may petition to count appropriate special topics or transfer courses upon recommendation of the student's advisor. All courses should be selected in consultation with a faculty advisor.
| First Year | A | S |
|---|---|---|
| COMX 115S (COMM 110S) Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | - | 3 |
| COMX 111A (COMM 111A) Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 | - |
| COMX (COMM) elective | - | 3 |
| WRIT 101 (ENEX 101) Composition | 3 | - |
| M 116 (MATH 117) Probability and Linear Mathematics | 3 | - |
| General Education | 6 | 9 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Second Year | A | S |
| COMX (COMM) electives | - | 6 |
| COMX 220S (COMM 230S) Introduction to Organizational Communication | 3 | - |
| COMX 240H (COMM 250H) Introduction to Rhetorical Theory | 3 | - |
| STAT 216 (MATH 241) or PSYC 222 (PSYC 220) or SOCI 202 (SOC 202) or HHP 486 | 3-4 | - |
| General Education | 3 | 3 |
| Electives | 3 | 6 |
| 15-16 | 15 | |
| Third Year | A | S |
| COMX (COMM) Writing course | 3 | - |
| COMX 460 (COMM 460) Communication Research Methods | - | 3 |
| Upper-division COMM electives | 3 | 3 |
| Upper-division electives | - | 9 |
| Electives | 9 | - |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | A | S |
| Upper-division COMM electives | 3 | 3 |
| Upper-division electives | 9 | - |
| Electives | 3 | 12 |
| 15 | 15 |
To be admitted to the communication studies minor, a student must complete COMX 111A (COMM 111A) and two other lower-division COMX (COMM) courses.
Students who intend to minor in communication studies but who have not yet met the above requirements are admitted as Pre-communication (PCOM) minors. Pre-communication minors may enroll in 100- and 200-level courses only. Students must be fully admitted as communication studies minors to enroll in 300- and 400-level courses.
Once admitted to earn a minor, the student must complete a minimum of 20 credits in COMX (COMM) courses, with at least 9 credits in courses numbered 300 and above. A maximum of 6 credits in COMX 312 (COMM 360) may count toward a minor in communication studies.
R- before the course description indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R. Credits beyond this maximum do not count toward a degree.
Communication (COMX) - Course Descriptions
102, 111A, 115S, 140L, 191, 191S, 192, 202S, 204X, 210, 212X, 217A, 219S, 220S, 222, 240H, 241, 242, 250, 291, 292, 311, 312, 343, 347, 349, 351, 352, 380, 391, 398, 412, 413, 414, 415, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 445, 447, 449, 460, 461, 485, 491, 492, 493, 495, 510, 511, 512, 514, 515, 520, 540, 541, 555, 561, 572, 575, 585, 593, 594, 595, 596, 599
Sara E. Hayden, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1994
Alan L. Sillars, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, 1980
Betsy Wackernagel Bach, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1985
Joel Iverson, PH.D., Arizona State University, 2003
Greg Larson, Ph.D., University of Colorado, 2000
Steve Schwarze, Ph.D., The University of Iowa, 1999 (Chair)
Stephen M. Yoshimura, Ph.D., Arizona State University, 2002
Christina Yoshimura, Ph.D., Arizona State University, 2004
David Airne, M.A. North Dakota State University, 1998
Phyllis Bo-yuen Ngai, Ed.D., The University of Montana, 2004
William W. Wilmot, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1970
James H. Polsin, Ph.D., University of Kansas, 1971