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WelcomeWelcome to the undergraduate major in Communication at the University of Maryland College Park. You are among approximately 1000 majors in Communication, one of the largest majors in the College of Arts and Humanities. Most of your preparation for the Bachelor of Arts degree will be in your courses. But you are invited to participate in the many opportunities beyond the curriculum, including the departmental honors program, Lambda Pi Eta National Honor Society, the Undergraduate Communication Association, faculty research projects, and the department's research colloquium. This handbook will introduce you to the major, the department, the faculty, the curriculum, the requirements, and the special opportunities in Communication. Communication takes as its subject matter the history, processes, and effects of human communication through speech and its extensions. The departmental curriculum is designed to provide a liberal education in the arts and sciences of human communication as well as preparation for career opportunities in business, government, education, and related fields. Within the curriculum, students may pursue academic programs that emphasize many disciplinary areas, including organizational communication, public relations, intercultural communication, political communication, conflict management, cognition and persuasion, rhetorical theory, history of rhetoric, and criticism of public discourse. Return
to the Contents of the Undergraduate Handbook The Value of an Education in CommunicationIn today's fast paced world, little knowledge will be as crucial to the quality of your life as an understanding of communication. Those who can effectively and responsibly communicate with others exercise a power that enriches their lives. One important measure of the quality of life in our society will be the openness and richness of communication. Those educated in the field of communication will make vital contributions to their own welfare and the welfare of others. The strength of a Communication major resides in an understanding of the place of communication in humanness and in a fully developed ability to participate effectively and responsibly in communicating with others. Your education in Communication will go beyond performance courses that teach the skills of speaking into courses that explore our knowledge of communication in business, government, and other human institutions and relationships. Although Communication is not a professional degree, few choices of major afford such vital knowledge in preparing for a career. In many professions, employers praise the ability to communicate as central to an effective employee. As a result, our majors move rapidly into a broad range of careers. Effective preparation for a career in communication begins in the mastery of communication performance and matures in mastery of our extensive knowledge of strategies to improve the quality of communication throughout our society. Over the years, Communication has also served as an exceptional pre-professional major. Particularly those who proceed to study law, the helping professions, and governmental service have found the major critical to their later success. Many of our students remain in Communication by pursuing graduate work. A major in Communication contributes to the quality of life far beyond the workplace. Those who seek to be good citizens or just good neighbors leave the major with experience and understanding that enriches their lives. Return
to the Contents of the Undergraduate Handbook About the University of MarylandFrom a regional Agricultural College of 35 students in 1859, the University of Maryland at College Park has developed into a national institution serving over 35,000 students in 14 colleges and professional schools. It has also become one of America's finest establishments for research, instruction, and public service. The faculty of the University is widely recognized for its quality and achievement. In fact, College Park ranks twelfth among all U.S. universities for competitive research grants and ninth among public institutions for distinguished faculty awards. The local resources of the University include a library collection of two million volumes as well as 34 centers and institutes for research and study in specialized subject matters. Also, because of the University's unique location (just 10 miles from downtown Washington DC; 25 minutes by Metro subway) its extended resources include the Library of Congress, the National Archives (located on our campus), the National Library of Medicine, the Folger Shakespeare Library, the Smithsonian Institution, and approximately 500 other libraries associated with educational, governmental, and private agencies in or near the nation's capital. Return
to the Contents of the Undergraduate Handbook About Communication at MarylandThe study of Communication at College Park is as old as the institution itself. The first students in the Maryland Agricultural College faced requirements in rhetoric, elocution, and declamation throughout the course of their degree. By 1901 a Department of Public Speaking was in place and, for nearly four decades, the department emphasized public speaking and public address in its course offerings. Beginning in the late 1930s, however, courses were added in other subjects related to spoken discourse. For example, new courses were announced in radio speaking for 1938, in speech pathology for 1939, and in drama for 1941. By 1946 coursework had developed to the point that the department could offer its Bachelor of Arts degree in four areas of concentration: public speaking, drama, radio, and speech sciences. The identification of these areas quickly gave rise to academic and administrative specialization within the department. One effect of this specialization was the formation of departmental divisions. The department maintained four such divisions until 1972, when the division of Speech and Hearing Sciences left the department for autonomous status in what is now the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. From that time until 1989 three divisions united in the Department of Communication Arts and Theatre: Communication; Radio, Television, Film; and Theatre. In 1989 each division became a separate department in the College of Arts and Humanities. Of these new departments, Communication maintains the disciplinary interest, goals, and subject matters that have animated speech instruction at Maryland from its beginnings. The department sustains a long-standing commitment to research and teaching in the history, processes, and effects of communication through speech and its extensions. Within the department, students may do graduate work in Communication in programs leading to the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees and undergraduate work culminating in the B.A. Return
to the Contents of the Undergraduate Handbook Admission to the Major in CommunicationRequirementsAll first-time freshmen who designate communication
as a major prior to the end of the final exam period of their first semester
will be admitted directly into the program. They must sign a Memorandum
of Understanding that states that they understand that by the semester
in which they attain 45 University of Maryland credits (excluding AP),
they must meet the following Gateway requirements: Transfer StudentsInternal and external transfer students who meet the Gateway requirements specified above and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 in all college level coursework may apply to the program up until and including the semester in which they reach 60 credits. (Students are encouraged to apply at any time prior to reaching 60 credits as long as requirements have been completed.) For those students who meet the Gateway requirements and who apply after the semester in which they reach 60 credits, admission is competitive and on a space-available basis. Newly admitted transfer students who have more than 60 credits have only their first semester at the University of Maryland to complete the Gateway requirements. AppealsAll students may appeal admission decisions.
Students directly admitted as freshmen, who are dismissed because of failure
to meet Gateways or be in good academic standing at 45 credits, may appeal
directly to the Undergraduate Director in the Department of Communication.
All other students who are denied admission may appeal to the Office of
Admission of the University. Constructing Your Major in CommunicationThe undergraduate Communication major offers
four Tracks: Communication Studies, Public Relations, Rhetoric and Political
Culture (formerly known as Rhetoric and Public Discourse), and Social
Influence (formerly known as Communication Research). The key to the quality
of your education in Communication will be your planning of the courses
to satisfy the requirements for the various major tracks. The major requirements
are designed to provide multiple levels of knowledge of communication.
Requirements for the Communication major include a minimum of 45 upper-level
credits and the foreign language requirement of the College of Arts and
Humanities. No course with a grade less than C may be used to satisfy
major requirements. Requirements for MajorThe course of study for a Communication major must satisfy all of the following requirements:
a. Social Influence (formerly Communication Research)
b. Communication Studies
c. Public Relations
d. Rhetoric and Political Culture (formerly Rhetoric and Public Discourse)
Courses required for the Communication major but taken outside COMM (such as LING 200, ECON 200) may be used to satisfy lower level CORE requirements, however, no COMM requirements (courses in or outside of COMM) may count for the CORE Advanced Studies requirement. Students should meet with an advisor in
ARHU to determine the CORE Advanced Studies requirement. Communication offers special opportunities for majors. Superior students may participate in an Honors Program; contact the Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society Director. An internship program is also available to students doing work related to the major; contact the internship coordinator. Return
to the Contents of the Undergraduate Handbook Policy on Advising of Communication MajorsThe main objective of academic advising in Communication is to assist you in understanding, planning, and successfully completing the Communication major (for advising regarding University and College requirements, consult the Arts & Humanities Office of Student Affairs in 1120 Francis Scott Key). Pursuant to this objective, Communication has established a major advising program. You are especially encouraged to consult with Undergraduate Advising Office for general information regarding the Communication major or to establish, revise, or review a program of study that satisfies the major requirements in Communication. As you prepare your final thirty hours, it is critical that you work with the departmental advisor. You are reminded, however, that University policy stipulates that the responsibility for knowing and meeting all degree requirements for graduation in any curriculum rests with the student. Accordingly, you have the responsibility to: (1) familiarize yourself with the requirements of the Communication major, (2) select and secure enrollment in courses which satisfy the Communication major requirements, and (3) monitor your own progress toward completion of the Communication major. The Undergraduate Advising Office will maintain a regular schedule of appointment hours during each academic term. You must schedule a meeting within the appointment hours. The Undergraduate Advising Office is not obligated to consult with any student outside of the regular schedule. Advising for internship programs must be done through the department's Outreach Coordinator. Summary of Major RequirementsCompletion of fifty-two semester hours in Communication (including six semester hours in supporting courses and a nine hour cognate). No course with a grade less than C may be used to satisfy major or supporting course requirements. Required Major Courses (total of thirty semester hours): COMM 107, 200, or 230; COMM 250, 400, 401; and COMM 350, 402 or 450 (depending on chosen track). Twenty-one semester hours in COMM courses, at least eighteen of which must be at the 300-400 level. Required Supporting Courses (total of fifteen semester hours): Three semester hours to develop essential intellectual skills: Three credits in statistical analysis, selected from BMGT 230, CCJS 200, EDMS 451, PSYC 200, or SOCY 201. Three credits in structural analysis of language, selected from HESP 120, LING 200, or LING 240. Courses required for the Communication major but taken outside COMM (such as LING 200, ECON 200) may be used to satisfy lower level CORE requirements, however, no COMM requirements (courses in or outside of COMM) may count for the CORE Advanced Studies requirement. Students should meet with an advisor in
ARHU to determine the CORE Advanced Studies requirement. Return
to the Contents of the Undergraduate Handbook Special Opportunities for Communication MajorsThe Honors ProgramThe Honors Program provides superior students with the utmost opportunity for intensive study of Communication at an advanced level. Pursuant to this end, the program provides participants with opportunities to deepen their understanding of the discipline through graduate level coursework and to enrich this understanding through closely supervised research and intimate involvement in the intellectual life of the department. Students interested in the Honors Program apply for the program, ordinarily during the second semester of the sophomore year or the first semester of the junior year. Application is filed with the Honors Director who presents the proposal for admission to the Honors Committee. Generally, you should have the following qualifications:
Transfer students from accredited institutions receive equal consideration. Full information on the program is outlined
in material available from the Undergraduate Advisor. Communication Colloquium SeriesThe Communication Colloquium Series provides a forum for the active exchange of scholarly study in human communication. Each semester six different speakers present their current research. The colloquium features Communication faculty and graduate students, and noted communication scholars from around the country. Recent contributors include Karlyn Kohrs Campbell (University of Minnesota), Michael Leff (Northwestern University), James Dillard (University of Wisconsin), Sonja Foss (Ohio State University), and Gerry Philipsen (University of Washington). You may receive undergraduate credit for attendance at the colloquium and the preparation of work based on it through COMM 478 Return
to the Contents of the Undergraduate Handbook Lambda Pi Eta: National Honor SocietyLambda Pi Eta is the national communication honor society recognized by the National Communication Association -- the national professional organization of practitioners and scholars in Communication. Eligibility for membership in Lambda Pi Eta is based on the following criteria:
Applications for Lambda Pi Eta are available
in the Undergraduate Advising Office. Return
to the Contents of the Undergraduate Handbook Internship ProgramThe department's supervised internship program helps communication majors gain professional experience, build a professional portfolio, and take the first steps toward a career. Since the success of an internship depends on the relationship between the student and supervising company or organization, the department encourages students to think carefully about their goals for an internship and discuss these goals with faculty members, advisors, the internship coordinator, and the site supervisor. The site supervisor must be a communication professional. Students are responsible for finding internships. The internship coordinator will assist when possible. The department structures its internship program around a course, COMM386: Experiential Learning, offered each school term. A student wishing to take the course will find an internship. Once accepting an internship the student should submit confirmation of that internship to the internship coordinator. It should be written on the organization's letterhead, signed by the internship supervisor, and include a job description. Once approved the student will be cleared to register. In the course the student will complete a learning agreement at the outset of the internship and evaluate progress toward established goals at a midway progress review and at the conclusion of the internship. The student will complete written weekly reports of the internship designed to connect theories they have learned in the classroom with practices of the profession in which they are interning. The student will also facilitate a site visit for the internship coordinator. Finally, the student will compile a complete report of the internship experience including the learning agreement, weekly reports, and a project. The student will write a thorough self-evaluation and have site supervisor evaluate the student as well. Students may earn three to six credits for a COMM386 internship. Students must choose a credit level based on how many hours they can work at the internship site. The standard formula is a minimum of 45 hours of work per credit (135 for 3 credits, 270 for 6 credits). Three credits of COMM386 may count toward the communication major. Any additional credits may apply toward upper level requirements in the College of Arts and Humanities. The student should discuss the usefulness of additional credits with an ARHU advisor. Since COMM386 is a course, students may not repeat it unless they have failed to pass it the first time. Students failing to pass will require permission of the internship coordinator before taking the course again. If the student negatively represented the University of Maryland at the failing internship site that student may not be granted permission to repeat the course Internships in communication require an understanding of communication theory and the ability to practice professional skills. To gain such understanding and skills, students must meet certain prerequisites before taking COMM386. Students must be majoring in communication and have at least 60 credits with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 overall or 2.7 in the major. Students must have completed courses with a grade of C- or higher appropriate to their chosen track in the communication major. Students having questions about whether they meet the prerequisites should consult with the internship coordinator. The qualifying courses accepted for each track are as follows: Social Influence
Rhetoric and Political Culture
Public Relations
Communication Studies
In exceptional cases where a student is otherwise qualified for an internship though the student has been unable to meet the prerequisites for unavoidable academic circumstances, a student may ask the department for permission to enroll in the internship course. Such a student must write a letter to the director of undergraduate studies explaining the circumstances in detail, accompanied by any relevant documentation of the circumstances. The director of undergraduate studies will decide such requests in consultation with the internship coordinator. Students having questions about off-campus internship options should consult with the internship coordinator at: Julie S. Gowin Return
to the Contents of the Undergraduate Handbook Undergraduate Research and Teaching AssistantshipsThe University of Maryland sponsors research and teaching assistantships that provide specific training for undergraduate students working closely with faculty members. Research assistants provide support for faculty research projects. Teaching assistants provide support for the teaching of lower-level courses in Communication. For more information on these programs, please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies. The University of Maryland is an equal opportunity institution with respect to both education and employment. The University's policies, programs and activities are in compliance with pertinent federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex and handicap. Requirements
effective: September 2001 Return
to the Contents of the Undergraduate Handbook Some Important Offices and Phone NumbersDepartment of Communication Undergraduate Office: Applications and Information Undergraduate Advising Office Phone: 301-405-0862 or 0863 Mary C. Bell Leah Waks Julie S. Gowin Chair, Department of Communication Arts and Humanities Office of Student Affairs
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to the Contents of the Undergraduate Handbook For Further InformationDirector of Undergraduate Studies Return
to the Contents of the Undergraduate Handbook Electronic InformationThe official versions of the Undergraduate Catalog and the Department's undergraduate materials are those that appear on the World Wide Web. Please consult the following locations (besides this document): University of Maryland InformationThe University of Maryland: http://inform.umd.edu Testudo: http://www.testudo.umd.edu/ Testudo is the University of Maryland's central website for Information about admissions, financial aid, class scheduling, records and registration, campus services, and other important facts about student life. The Undergraduate Catalog: http://www.inform.umd.edu/ugradcat/ Department of Communication InformationThe College of Arts and Humanities: http://www.arhu.umd.edu The Department of Communication: http://www.comm.umd.edu The Department of Communication Undergraduate Handbook Online (this document): http://www.comm.umd.edu/undergraduate/ughandbook.html. Communication DisciplineUndergraduate Communication Association: http://www.inform.umd.edu/StudentOrgs/cclub/ The National Communication Association: http://www.natcom.org/ The International Communication Association: http://icahdq.org/ The Public Relations Society of America: http://www.prsa.org/ Library ResourcesUniversity of Maryland Library Information and Resources: http://www.lib.umd.edu/ Graduate School InformationThe Graduate School: http://www.inform.umd.edu/grad/ The Graduate Catalog: http://www.inform.umd.edu/gradcat/
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Department of Communication 2130 Skinner Building University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742-7635 Phone: 301-405-8979 Fax: 301-314-9471 |
Last updated:
August 31, 2005
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