Communication

• Faculty
• Course Work
• Home Page - http://www.gmu.edu/departments/comm/
• Undergraduate Program
  • Communication, B.A.
  • Writing-Intensive Requirement
  • Minors
    • Minor In Electronic Journalism

Faculty

Professors: Boileau, Decker, Friedley, Lont (chair), Manchester, Taylor

Associate professors: Akwule, Looney, S. Muir

Visiting assistant professors: L. Bethea, Weinstein

Visiting instructors: M. Dickerson, Kimble, Mangus, Smith, Tomasovic

Adjuncts: Adams, Aitken, Angat, Atwell, R. Bethea, Braithwaite, Breneman, Butt, Chaaban, N. Dickerson, Doyle, Eves, Farrill, Frye, Gladis, Hansche, Hylmo, Kehoe, Klein, Korn, Kyle, LeValley, Mathison, Mattox, M'Bayo, McKelvy, Nwokeafor, Paglin, Piland, Pruitt, Siegel, Slagle, Smalfelt, Tittel, Trumbull, Weiss, Wray

Course Work

Undergraduate Program

Communication, B.A.

Study in communication prepares students for graduate study or entry-level positions in one of seven concentrations: international and intercultural communication, interpersonal and organizational communication, journalism, media production and criticism, persuasive and political communication, public relations, or an individualized concentration.

In addition to the general requirements for the B.A. degree, communication majors must complete 36 credits in communication, including the following:

1. Five required communication courses, which must be completed with grades of C or better: COMM 250, 300, 301, 302, and 420. (COMM 420 should be taken after 105 credits have been completed.)
2. The remaining 21 credits of communication electives, 12 of which must be at the 300 or 400 level, will be determined by the concentration the student chooses in consultation with an advisor. These 21 credits of COMM electives may include no more than 10 credits total from among the following courses: COMM 140, 141, 142, 143, 145, 148, 157, 340, 341, 342, 343, 345, 346, 348, 349, 450, 451, 452, 499; and no more than 6 credits of internship (COMM 450). No more than 9 credits of internship (COMM 450 and/or GOVT 450) may be applied toward the 120 credits required for graduation.
3. Of these 21 credits of electives, at least 12 credits must be selected from one of the seven department concentrations. A list of courses in each concentration (except the individualized concentration) is available in the department. Students must declare a concentration before they earn 90 or more credits. Transfer students with 60 or more credits are encouraged to declare a concentration by the end of their first semester at George Mason. With the approval of their advisors, students may construct an individualized concentration, but they may not declare an individualized concentration after they have earned 90 or more credits toward graduation.

All students are encouraged to participate in one of the communication activities: Broadside, Debate, Forensics, GMView, Mason Cable News, or WGMU. Many students include an internship during their senior year as a way of gaining practical experience with national and international businesses, associations, or government agencies.

To fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences general education communication requirement, communication majors must take COMM 100, 101, 102, or 104 (or have an equivalent transfer course). These courses do not count toward the 36 credits for the major.

Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in communication fulfill this requirement by successfully completing COMM 300.

Honors Program in Communication
Communication majors who have completed 80 credits with an overall GPA of 3.500 and a 3.500 GPA in communication courses are eligible to enter the departmental honors program. Candidates for the honors program must have successfully completed or be enrolled in COMM 250, 300, 301, and 302. Students who meet the criteria for admission are invited to submit a proposal for an honors thesis. If the proposal is approved, they are admitted to the honors program. To graduate with honors in communication, students must complete COMM 499 Honors Thesis Seminar and an honors section of COMM 420, maintaining a 3.500 GPA in these courses and an overall 3.500 GPA. For more information, contact the director of the honors program in Communication.

Minors

Minor in Electronic Journalism
Electronic Journalism provides a foundation in journalism with a focus on the writing style and research techniques unique to broadcast, online, and computer-assisted reporting. Students must complete 18 credits.

Required Courses: COMM 203, 351, 361, 475 Electives: Six credits chosen from COMM 352, 353, 399 (if topic is approved by department), 450, 454, 455