Communication Studies, BPhil Com
Curriculum
The bachelor's degree requirements are 42 units total and include distribution, writing, and elective courses, and the major requirements.
Communication Studies Major Requirements
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| Four Core Courses | |
| COMM_ST 102-CN | Public Speaking |
| COMM_ST 205-DL | Theories of Persuasion |
| Choice of one: | |
| Principles of Rhetorical Criticism | |
| Communication and Culture | |
| Persuasive Images: The Rhetoric of Contemporary Culture | |
| Choice of one: | |
| Communication & Technology | |
| Introduction to Health Communication | |
| Theories of Mediated Communication | |
| Two Seminars | |
| COMM_ST 294-DL | First-Year Seminar |
| COMM_ST 394-DL | Research Seminar |
| Six Communication Studies Courses | |
| One 200 or 300-level COMM_ST course | |
| Five 300-level COMM_ST courses | |
Degree Requirements
The bachelor of philosophy in communication (BPhilCom) is an interdisciplinary professional degree awarded to students who major in Communication Studies, Communication Systems, or Radio/Television/Film. The BPhilCom degree is conferred by the School of Communication.
Bachelor of Philosophy in Communication
To earn the BPhilCom degree, students must complete a total of 42 units, including a writing requirement, distribution requirements, a major and electives. Minors are optional.
| Courses | Units Earned |
|---|---|
| English 111 or 205 | 1 |
| English 113 or Perf St 103 | 1 |
| Humanities | 3 |
| Psychology | 3 |
| Science | 3 |
| Social Sciences | 3 |
| Major Requirements | 12-14 |
| Electives | Up to 16 |
| Total | 42 |
About the Writing Requirement
The writing requirement ensures that students have the skills necessary to meet the rigorous writing demands of subsequent SPS courses in all majors and disciplines. The expository writing courses provide the tools to meet the demands of advanced academic writing; the courses may not be audited or taken on a pass/no credit basis.
Transfer and performance-based admission students must fulfill the writing requirement through one of two options:
Option 1: Complete an English composition course at SPS.
Demonstrate successful completion of English 111 or 205. A grade of C or higher is required.
Option 2: Successfully appeal the writing requirement via the Student Affairs Petition Form.
Students who believe they have the writing skills necessary for university-level research and analytical papers may appeal the SPS writing requirement.
A successful appeal does not result in credit for the writing course. Students must complete another course in its place according to the needs and guidelines of their program. Writing will be evaluated for standards of good expository writing, including: a fully developed thesis; sound logic and adequate evidence in support of the thesis; effective organization, coherent structure and an overall unity; correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Appeal materials must be submitted by the quarter deadline before entry.
About the Distribution Requirements
Students complete course work in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences to obtain a broad experience in the liberal arts. Courses that satisfy these distribution requirements include the following areas:
Humanities
Art history, classics, comparative literary studies, English literature, languages other than English (up to two units), history, humanities (HUM), music history, philosophy, religion, and some courses in black studies, languages with literature, gender studies, performance studies, radio/television/film, and theatre.
Sciences
Astronomy, biological sciences, chemistry, computer information systems, earth and planetary sciences, engineering, mathematics, physics and some courses in anthropology, communication sciences and disorders, psychology, radio/television/film, and statistics.
Social Sciences
Anthropology, economics, history, linguistics, political science, sociology, and some courses in black studies, communication sciences and disorders, gender studies, psychology, and statistics.