Communication Analysis and Engagement (CAE) is a broad-based education that focuses on how communication affects society, and how communication can improve society. Students learn to analyze the uses and effects of media in society, how public advocates and international communication systems operate and how diversity and culture affect communication in community life. Students learn the communication practices that help build and maintain important relationships in personal and corporate life, and they learn how communication interventions and campaigns can improve the public’s understanding about pressing public issues like health, science and the environment.
This specialization prepares students to become critical thinkers and effective problem solvers for careers in both the public and private sectors, such as in business management, government relations, or as communication specialists in a health or political organization. The specialization also provides excellent preparation for graduate school or law school.
Major Curriculum
Required Pre-Major Courses: 6 credit hours (do not count in major)
All students must complete two pre-major courses. A grade of C- or better is required in both courses for a Major Specialization Application to be considered. Admission is competitive and an online application is required.
- Comm 1100: Communication in Society
- Comm 1101: History of Communication
Core Major Requirements: 12 credit hours. All four courses required.
- Comm 2110: Public Speaking
- Comm 2367(H): Persuasive Communication
- Comm 3440: Mass Communication and Society
- Comm 3620: Interpersonal Communication
Research Method Requirement: 4 credit hours. One course required.
- Comm 3160: Communication Research Methods (prereq: Stats 1350, 1450 or equiv.)
Experiential Learning: 3 credit hours*. One course required.
- Comm 3800: Career Development in Communication
- Comm 4191*: Internship (1-3 credits)
- Comm 4998*: Undergraduate Research (1-3 credits)
- Comm 4998*: Thesis Research (1-3 credits)
Focus Area Electives: 15 credit hours. Choose at least 5 additional courses in the School of Communication.
At least 12 hours should be at the 3000 level or above. Five thematic clusters provide students direction in developing a focal interest. However, studentsmay choose courses from within and between thematic clusters to fit career goals.
Media Effects
- Comm 3402: Crime and the News Media
- Comm 3413: Media Entertainment
- Comm 3442: Violence in Society & Violence in Media
- Comm 4401: Mass Communication and Youth
- Comm 4445: Stereotypes in Media
- Comm 4600: Communication and Emotion
Communication Competencies for Leadership
- Comm 2131: Business and Professional Speaking
- Comm 3325: Intro to Organizational Communication
- Comm 3330: Communication and Conflict Management
- Comm 3331: Communication and Decision Making
- Comm 3624: Communication in Personal Relationships
- Comm 3628: Contemporary Persuasion Theory
- Comm 3629: Language and Social Interaction
- Comm 3662: Communication and Gender
- Comm 3667: Nonverbal Communication
- Comm 3668: Intercultural Communication
- Comm 4635: Communication Dynamics in Groups
Health, Environment, Risk & Science Communication
- Comm 2596: Intro to Health, Environment, Risk & Science Communication
- Comm 3332: Risk Communication
- Comm 3340: Principles of Environmental Campaigns
- Comm 4240: Science Communication
- Comm 4736: Health Communication in Interpersonal Contexts
- Comm 4737: Health Communication in Mass Mediated Context
- Comm 4738: Health Communication and New Media
Communication for Advocacy, Politics & Citizenship
- Comm 3330: Communication and Conflict Management
- Comm 3331: Communication and Decision Making
- Comm 3404: Media Law and Ethics
- Comm 3628: Contemporary Persuasion Theory
- Comm 4814: Political Communication
- Comm 4820: Public Opinion and Communication
Communication, Diversity, and Culture
- Comm 2131: Business and Professional Speaking
- Comm 3330: Communication and Conflict Management
- Comm 3662: Communication and Gender
- Comm 3668: Intercultural Communication
- Comm 3597.01: International Perspectives on Communication
- Comm 3597.02: Media and Terrorism
- Comm 4445: Stereotypes in Media