Communication and Media Studies (BA)
Program Description
The Communication and Media Studies major provides you opportunities to develop communication skills, explore values, and acquire techniques of insight and critical reasoning. Emphasis is placed on person-to-person contact in both private and public settings. You will expand your verbal and nonverbal skills, develop sensitivity for their appropriate use, and gain perspective on issues of power, influence, justice, freedom, and truth.
Entering and Completing the Major
In order to earn a degree, you must complete at least one academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, so if you change your mind about a major, or want to include an additional program, you are able to do so, as outlined below.
Note that the University encourages you to enter your chosen major(s) as soon as you have determined it and are eligible to join it, especially by the start of your junior year. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should enter a major within their first two quarters at SPU.
- If this is your first quarter at SPU and you identified a major in this department as your first choice on your application for admission to the University, you have gained entry to the major. To change or add a major, follow these instructions.
- If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, follow these instructions to enter a major in this department.
- The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
- To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major.
- You must complete the major requirements that are in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year you enter the major.
Communication and Media Studies (BA)
50 Credits Minimum, Including 30 Upper Division (UD)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies Core | ||
| COM 1101 | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 5 |
| COM 1321 | Public Speaking | 5 |
| COM 3001 | Theories of Communication | 5 |
| COM 3160 | Conflict Management | 5 |
| COM 3780 | The Art of Film | 5 |
| COM 4265 | Organizational Communication | 5 |
| FLM 3000 | Seattle on Film: Cinema Under the Clouds | 5 |
| Section Credits Required | 35 | |
| Capstone | ||
| Cultural Communication | ||
| Section Credits Required | 5 | |
| Electives (at least 5cr UD) | ||
| Marketing and Society | ||
| A World on Film | ||
| Coop Education: Internship in Communication | ||
| Media and Cultural Studies | ||
| Wordcraft: Grammar & Style | ||
| Film and Story | ||
| The Hollywood Studio System: Film History I | ||
| Movies and Cultural Politics in the 1960s: Film History II | ||
| The Public and the Media | ||
| Section Credits Required | 10 | |
| Total Credits | 50 | |
Suggested Course Sequence
This is a sample schedule of sequencing for the Communication and Media Studies Major. There is a bit of flexibility in class placement in your first 2 years as you navigate through the University’s Common and Exploratory Curriculum, and Communication Core. Watch years 3 and 4 closely for courses that are offered only every-other year.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Credits | |
| FYS 1000 | First Year Seminar | 3 |
| WRI 1000 | Academic Inquiry and Writing Seminar | 5 |
| Exploratory | 5 | |
| Major | 5 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Winter | ||
| Exploratory | 5 | |
| Major | 5 | |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| TCOR 1000 | The Christian Faith | 5 |
| Exploratory | 5 | |
| Major | 5 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| COM 1101 | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 5 |
| COM 1321 | Public Speaking | 5 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Autumn | ||
| Select one or both of the following: | ||
| Christian Scripture | ||
| World History, Faith, and Reconciliation | ||
| Exploratory | 5-10 | |
| Credits | 5-10 | |
| Winter | ||
| Select one or both of the folowing: | 5-10 | |
| Christian Scripture | ||
| World History, Faith, and Reconciliation | ||
| Exploratory | 5-10 | |
| Credits | 10-20 | |
| Spring | ||
| Exploratory | 5-10 | |
| Credits | 5-10 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| Check on minors if interested | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Junior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| COM 3001 | Theories of Communication | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Winter | ||
| COM 3160 | Conflict Management | 5 |
| COM 3780 | The Art of Film | 5 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective | ||
| Apply to graduate! | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| FLM 3000 | Seattle on Film: Cinema Under the Clouds | 5 |
| TCOR 3100 | Christian Theology | 5 |
| UCOR 3000 | Faith, Philosophy, and Science | 5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| COM 4265 | Organizational Communication | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Winter | ||
| Elective | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Spring | ||
| COM 4896 | Cultural Communication | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| Electives | 10 | |
| Marketing and Society | ||
| A World on Film | ||
| Coop Education: Internship in Communication | ||
| Media and Cultural Studies | ||
| Wordcraft: Grammar & Style | ||
| Film and Story | ||
| The Hollywood Studio System: Film History I | ||
| Movies and Cultural Politics in the 1960s: Film History II | ||
| The Public and the Media | ||
| Credits | 10 | |
| Total Credits | 123-143 | |