Communication Studies A.A.

Associate of Arts - General AA; Communication Studies Option

Missoula College

Catalog Year: 2016-2017

Degree Specific Credits: 60

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0

Note: The AA degree has three requirements: completion of UM's lower-division General Education Requirements (GERs), a minimum of 60 total earned credits, and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. At least 30 of the total 60 degree credits must be earned from Missoula College or UM-Missoula. Missoula College students are limited to enrolling in lower-division coursework (course level 100 or 200).

Up to 15 technical credits may be counted towards the total 60 required for the AA. If the student has previously earned an AAS degree, the student may use up to 20 technical credits.

In addition, to receive to Associate of Arts with and Option in Communication Studies, a student must complete the requirements specific to that degree.

Degree Specific Requirements for AA with an Option in Communication Studies

Rule: All courses required

Note: Some courses required for the Associate of Arts with an Option in Communication Studies satisfy multiple Perspectives or GER Categories; visit with your advisor for more information.

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description COMX 111A - Intro to Public Speaking
Offered every term. Preparation, presentation, and criticism of speeches. Emphasis on the development of public speaking techniques through constructive criticism. Credit not allowed for both COMM 111A and COM 160A.
 3 Credits
Show Description COMX 115S - Intro to Interpersonal Communc
Offered autumn and spring. An overview of the process of human communication with special emphasis on analyzing communication patterns and improving interpersonal communication skills. Credit not allowed for both COMM 110S and COM 150S.
 3 Credits
Show Description COMX 140L - Intro to Visual Rhetoric
Offered autumn and spring.  An introduction to the persuasive nature of visual symbols as texts. Readings will include historical to contemporary rhetorical criticisms on advertising, billboards, bodies, cartoons, memorials, and photography.
 3 Credits
Show Description M 115 - Probability and Linear Math
Offered every term. Prereq. M 090 with a grade of B- or better, or M 095, or ALEKS placement >= 3, or ACT score of 22, or SAT score of 520. Systems of linear equations and matrix algebra. Introduction to probability with emphasis on models and probabilistic reasoning. Examples of applications of the material in many fields.
 3 Credits
Show Description WRIT 101 - College Writing I
UM: Offered every term. Prereq., WRIT 095 or proof of passing score on writing diagnostic examination, referral by WRIT 095 instructor-SAT writing score at or above 440, MUSWA at or above 3.5, SAT/ACT essay score at or above 7, or ACT Combined English/Writing score at or above 18. Expository prose and research paper; emphasis on structure, argument, development of ideas, clarity, style, and diction. Students expected to write without major faults in grammar or usage. Credit not allowed for both WRIT 101 and COM 101. Grading A-F, or NC (no credit). MC: Offered every term. Prereq., WRIT 095 or proof of appropriate SAT/ACT essay, English/Writing, writing section scores, appropriate MUSWA scores, or proof of passing scores on Writing Placement Exam). Expository prose and research paper; emphasis on structure, argument, development of ideas, clarity, style, and diction. Students expected to write without major faults in grammar or usage. Grading A-F, or NC (no credit).
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C-

Organizational Communication or Rhetorical Theory

Rule: Take one of the following

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description COMX 220S - Intro to Organizational Comm
Offered yearly. Theory and research on communication in organizations. Focus on topics such as productivity, power, culture, socialization, technology and globalization covering a wide range of organizations including corporations, government, educational institutions, non-profit agencies and media organizations.
 3 Credits
Show Description COMX 240H - Intro to Rhetorical Theory
Offered yearly. An overview of rhetorical theory including an exploration of classical rhetoric, British and Continental rhetorical theory, and contemporary theories of language and persuasion.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required

Statistics

Rule: Take one of the following

Note: Completion of one of these courses satisfies the Symbolic Systems GER category.

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description PSYX 222 - Psychological Statistics
Offered every term. Prereq., PSYX 120; M 115, M 162 or 171. Application of statistical techniques to psychological data. Credit not allowed for both PSYX 222 and SOCI 202.
 3 Credits
Show Description SOCI 202 - Social Statistics
Offered every term. Prereq., M 115, Sociology majors only, or consent of instr. Application of descriptive and inferential statistical techniques to sociological data. Required of all majors.
 3 Credits
Show Description STAT 216 - Introduction to Statistics
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., M 115 (preferred), or one of M 121, 132, 151, 162 or 171, or ALEKS placement >= 4. Introduction to major ideas of statistical inference. Emphasis is on statistical reasoning and uses of statistics.
 4 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required

Communication Elective

Rule: Complete 6 credits

Note: Student must select at least two directed elective courses (minimum of 6 credits). Directed electives must be approved by student's advisor.

Mathematics

Rule: Any Mathematics course level 104 or higher (excluding M 111 Technical Mathematics).

Note: Appropriate placement into mathematics courses required. Prerequisites may apply. If a student successfully places into and completes a mathematics (either "M" or "STAT") course that is also considered a Symbolic System, that course may be used to count towards both the Mathematics and Symbolic Systems General Education Requirements.

Minimum Required Grade: C-
3 Total Credits Required

Writing Skills

Rule: Both WRIT 101 AND an Approved Writing Course are required.

Note: NOTE: Students who place into and successfully complete WRIT 201 are considered to have satisfied both the WRIT 101 and the Lower-Division Approved Writing Course General Education Requirements.

Minimum Required Grade: C-
3 Total Credits Required

WRIT 101

Rule: Take 1 of the courses below.

Note: Appropriate placement into WRIT 101/201 required. Prerequisites may apply.

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description WRIT 101 - College Writing I
UM: Offered every term. Prereq., WRIT 095 or proof of passing score on writing diagnostic examination, referral by WRIT 095 instructor-SAT writing score at or above 440, MUSWA at or above 3.5, SAT/ACT essay score at or above 7, or ACT Combined English/Writing score at or above 18. Expository prose and research paper; emphasis on structure, argument, development of ideas, clarity, style, and diction. Students expected to write without major faults in grammar or usage. Credit not allowed for both WRIT 101 and COM 101. Grading A-F, or NC (no credit). MC: Offered every term. Prereq., WRIT 095 or proof of appropriate SAT/ACT essay, English/Writing, writing section scores, appropriate MUSWA scores, or proof of passing scores on Writing Placement Exam). Expository prose and research paper; emphasis on structure, argument, development of ideas, clarity, style, and diction. Students expected to write without major faults in grammar or usage. Grading A-F, or NC (no credit).
 3 Credits
Show Description WRIT 201 - College Writing II
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., placement or C or better in WRIT 101. MUSWA at or above 5.5, SAT/ACT essay at or above 11, a SAT writing section score at or above 700 or a Combined English/Writing portion of the ACT at or above 32.  Designed for first year students with advanced writing ability and students who seek a lower-division writing course. Offers instruction in rhetorical reading and writing, particularly the study and practice of written argumentation in different academic and civic contexts.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required

Lower-Division Approved Writing Course

Rule: Any course designated as an Approved Writing Course during semester it's taken.

Perspectives

Rule: A minimum of 3 credits towards each Perspective Category is required.

Note: Some courses satisfy multiple Perspectives or GER Categories; visit with your advisor for more information. Students who take the maximum number of Perspective "double-dippers" possible will be able to complete the Perspectives with a total of 21 credits.

In addition, courses required for the Associate of Arts with an Option in Communication Studies will satisfy applicable Perspectives or GER Categories.

Minimum Required Grade: C-
3 Total Credits Required

Expressive Arts (A)

Rule: A minimum of three credits is required.

Literary & Artistic Studies (L)

Rule: A minimum of three credits is required.

Historical & Cultural Studies (H)

Rule: A minimum of three credits is required.

Social Sciences (S)

Rule: A minimum of three credits is required.

Ethical & Human Values (E)

Rule: A minimum of three credits is required.

American & European Perspectives (Y)

Rule: A minimum of three credits is required.

Indigenous & Global Perspectives (X)

Rule: A minimum of three credits is required.

Natural Sciences (N)

Rule: A minimum of six credits is required. At least one course must have a laboratory component.

Symbolic System/Foreign Language

Rule: Students must complete either a Symbolic System OR a Foreign Language.

Minimum Required Grade: C-
3-10 Total Credits Required

Symbolic Systems

Rule: Successful completion of 1 course from the list below.

Note: Prerequisites apply for all courses listed above; some courses from this list are major-restricted. Other baccalaureate major-specific Symbolic Systems may be used in lieu of course list above; speak with your advisor for more information.

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description M 162 - Applied Calculus
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ALEKS placement >= 5 or one of M 121, 122 or 151. Introductory course surveying the principal ideas of differential and integral calculus with emphasis on applications and computer software. Mathematical modeling in discrete and continuous settings. Intended primarily for students who do not plan to take higher calculus.
 4 Credits
Show Description M 171 - Calculus I
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., M 122 or 151 or ALEKS placement >= 5.  Differential calculus, including limits, continuous functions, Intermediate Value Theorem, tangents, linear approximation, inverse functions, implicit differentiation, extreme values and the Mean Value Theorem.  Integral Calculus including antiderivatives, definite integrals, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
 4 Credits
Show Description PSYX 222 - Psychological Statistics
Offered every term. Prereq., PSYX 120; M 115, M 162 or 171. Application of statistical techniques to psychological data. Credit not allowed for both PSYX 222 and SOCI 202.
 3 Credits
Show Description SOCI 202 - Social Statistics
Offered every term. Prereq., M 115, Sociology majors only, or consent of instr. Application of descriptive and inferential statistical techniques to sociological data. Required of all majors.
 3 Credits
Show Description STAT 216 - Introduction to Statistics
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., M 115 (preferred), or one of M 121, 132, 151, 162 or 171, or ALEKS placement >= 4. Introduction to major ideas of statistical inference. Emphasis is on statistical reasoning and uses of statistics.
 4 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3-4 Total Credits Required

Foreign Language

Rule: Successful completion of first-year sequence of a Modern and Classical Language (MCLL).

Note: A first-year sequence consists of 101 & 102 courses (5 credits each) for all MCLL majors except Irish; 101, 102, & 103 courses of Irish (3 credits each) must be completed. Students may take placement test to demonstrate proficiency to receive non-credit exemption from this requirement. Speak with your advisor for more information.

AA Degree Electives

Rule: Number of elective credits required varies; student needs to ensure s/he earns at least 60 total credits for the AA degree.

Note: Transfer students may count up to 30 transfer credits towards the total 60 necessary for degree. A maximum of 15 technical credits may be counted towards the total 60. (A student may use 20 technical credits towards the 60 if s/he has earned an AAS degree.)

Minimum Required Grade: C-
13-27 Total Credits Required