You are in the official 1999-2000 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Communication
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
Communication Major
The communication major is designed to develop broad-based competencies
not only in oral and written communication, in critical analysis, and in
statistics and research methods, but also emphasizes how to employ these
skills in specific contexts such as business management, political persuasion,
or public relations. With your program adviser, you may select a concentration
track to fit your particular interests and professional aspirations.
The professional track is designed to prepare students for advanced
study in communication, law and government, ministry, education (credential
candidates should see section on Teaching Credential
Program), and other professions.
The organizational/applied study track is designed to prepare students
for careers and/or advanced study in business, public service and administration,
public relations, social services, and management.
The communication studies track is designed to provide the student
with a broad range of human communication skills applicable to a wide range
of career interests.
Major requirements (45 units)
Lower-division core: COMM 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 (15* units)
Upper-division core: COMM 100 and 140 (6 units)
Concentration:
Select one track (12 units)
Professional: COMM 103, 105, 114, 142, 146, 148, 149,160, 162, 164, 166,
179, 190
Organizational: COMM 103, 106, 108, 160, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168,
169, 170, 176, 179, 190
Communication Studies: Select three courses from each of the other tracks
(includes breadth requirement)
Upper-division breadth:
Select two courses from track other than concentration (6 units)
In the Organizational Track, select from: COMM 105, 114, 142, 146, 148,
149, 164
In the Professional Track, select from: COMM 106, 108, 163, 164, 165, 167,
168, 169, 170, 176
Electives:
Select from any upper-division communication course and/or from COMM 115,
120, 188T, 189 (6 units)
General Education (51 units)
Electives and remaining degree requirements* (28-34 units)
(see Degree Requirements) may be used toward
a dual major or minor
Total (124 units)
__________
* It is anticipated that COMM 3, 4, and 5, which are required by the major,
will also meet General Education requirements and thus the number of elective
units may vary form 28-34. Consult the Schedule of Courses for a current
list of approved G.E. courses.
Advising Notes
- No more than 3 units from COMM 115 can count toward fulfillment of the communication major.
- CR/NC grading is not permitted in the communication major with the exception of COMM 179 (Internship).
- General Education and elective units may be used toward a dual major or minor (see Dual Major or departmental minor). Consult the appropriate department chair, program coordinator, or faculty adviser for further information.
- No more than 6 units of COMM 179 (Internship) may be applied toward completion of the communication major.
- Students are allowed only 3 units of COMM 190 and no more than 6 units toward the baccalaureate degree.
Teaching Credential Program
Speech/English*
The following 52-unit course of study, referred to as the Speech/English Single Subject Waiver Program, will be accepted by the department as a major in communication. Teacher education students will take the following courses:
Lower Division Core**
COMM 3, 4, 8; DRAMA 22 (12 units)
Core Courses
COMM 5, 7, and 114 (CTET 158); ENGL 189, 183T or 193T; LING 100, 146 (23
units)
Electives
ENGL 161, 163, or 164; ENGL 154 or 155; ENGL 112, 113, 114, 146, 147, 150,
151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 167, 168, 169, 183T, 193T, or 194; LING 138,
DRAMA 131 or 136 (15 units)
Breadth Courses
COMM 100 or 115; COMM 160 or 164; COMM 108 or 162; and any upper-division
speech course not used not used in previous electives (12 units)
_________
*This program of study is recognized as the Single Subject Waiver for a Speech/English credential. Total units may vary from 55-61 depending on General Education courses.
** It is anticipated that COMM 3, 4, and 8, which are required by the major, will also meet General Education requirements and thus the number of electives may vary from 33-39. Consult the Schedule of Courses for a current list of approved G.E. courses.
See School of Education and Human Development for additional professional education requirements for a credential.
Students wishing to pursue a course of study leading to a teaching credential
should see the departmental director of teacher education for advising early
in their programs as state requirements change frequently.
Communication Minor
Increasingly, oral and written communication, problem solving and decision
making, leadership, and conflict resolution skills are being recognized
as vital skills for professionals in all fields of work. The Communication
Minor is designed to develop these competencies in order to help students
better meet their particular career goals. While a specific minor is recommended,
you may wish to consult with your department adviser about designing a minor
to suit your special objectives.
Core requirements (15 units)
COMM 5, 7, 8, 100, 140
Electives (6 units)
Approved upper-division communication courses
Total (21 units)
Communication Skills for Professionals Certificate
Proficiency in communication skills is essential in virtually any professional
career. The Communication Program offers a structured sequence of courses
leading to a certificate of special study recognizing the focused development
of professional communication skills in such areas as presentational speaking,
problem solving and decision making, leadership, and interpersonal communication.
Upon completion of the certificate requirements, the department will award
a certificate.
Certificate Prerequisites: upper-division standing and completion
of the General Education basic speech requirement.
Certificate Requirements. Check with department prior to beginning
certificate requirements regarding program status.
Communication Theory: COMM 100 (3 units)
Professional Writing Skills: IS 105W, ENGL 164, 166, MCJ 10 (3-4 units)
Business and Professional Speaking: COMM 170 (3 units)
Communication Training and Development: COMM 176 (3 units)
Elect 6 units from COMM 103, 108, 162, 167, 168, 169 (6 units)
Total (18-19 units)
The new Communication Skills for Professionals Certificate Program is designed
to enable students to achieve recognition of development in such areas as
presentational speaking, problem solving and decision making, leadership,
and interpersonal communication.
Graduate Program
The Master of Arts degree program in Communication is designed to be a comprehensive program reflecting the history and breadth of the communication discipline. Four objectives serve as measures for competent M.A. graduates of the program. First, all graduates will have a comprehensive understanding of the historical and philosophical assumptions of the communication discipline, as well as the various theoretical perspectives underlying scholarship in the discipline. Second, all graduates will recognize and be able to use appropriate communication strategies in formal, informal, professional, and personal contexts. Third, all graduates will understand quantitative and qualitative methods of research in communication. Fourth, all graduates will understand various communication perspectives and will have a clear understanding of their own personal perspective and ideologies.
Master of Arts Degree Requirements
The graduate program in communication is designed to extend the competencies
of students in the study of human communication. Graduate assistantships
in forensics and a teaching assistantship program for teaching provide students
with opportunities for financial assistance and additional educational experiences.
The graduate program in communication assumes undergraduate preparation
equivalent to a California State University, Fresno major or minor in communication.
The Communication Department offers a 30 unit Master of Arts degree with
coursework in three areas of human communication: rhetoric and public address,
communication, and applied communication. Coursework in these areas provides
preparation for a variety of career opportunities including teaching and
doctoral work in communication and rhetoric,* business and industry, public
service, law, and government.**
Program Requirements
Admission Requirements for Classified Standing. See Admission to Graduate Degree Programs with Graduate Standing in the Division of Graduate Studies of this catalog.
COMM 241 and 262 (6 units)
COMM 205, 214, 215, 242M, 243, 244, 262, 263, 264M, 265, 266, 268, 276,
290 (12 units)
Electives (3-9 units)
Culminating experiences (3-6 units)
Select one of the following:
A. Comprehensive Examination (take at least 3 units of approved communication
electives)
B. COMM 298: Graduate Project (3-6 units; additional approved communication
electives if needed)
C. COMM 299: Thesis (3-6 units; additional approved communication electives
if needed)
Minimum total (30 units)
__________
* For those individuals pursuing careers in teaching and doctoral work,
the Communication Department highly recommends selecting 12 units from among
the following core requirements: COMM 205, 215, 242M, 243, 244, 214, 263,
264M, 265, and 266.
** For those individuals pursuing professional careers such as business and industry, public service, law, and government, the Communication Department highly recommends selecting 12 units from among the following core requirements: COMM 214, 215, 263, 264M, 265, 266, 268, and 276.
Advising Notes
- At least 21 units in the student's program of study must be in 200-level (seminar) courses.
- One methods seminar (COMM 242M or 264M) is required in every program. Successful completion of one of these classes also fulfills the graduate writing skills requirement.
- At least 3 units of electives must be an upper-division or seminar
course in a department other than communication. Any other elective requirements
can be met by any approved communication seminar, upper-division communication
course, or appropriate course outside the department. Elective requirements
are approved by the graduate student's graduate committee.
