Minors

Communication Minor (COMM-MN)

The communication minor is designed to provide students with an understanding of the basic concepts of communication.  There is one prerequisite course to the minor and the minor itself consists of four courses (12 credit hours). The prerequisite course and the four courses in the minor cover each of the following areas:  communication theory, communication technology, interpersonal communication, mass communication, and strategic communication.

The prerequisite course and all four courses in the minor must be completed to satisfy the minor requirements.  

If you complete the minor with the prerequisite course and the four courses specified below, you need only declare the minor with your college/school office. No approval from the School of Communication is required. 

Required Prerequisite (1 course; 3 Credit Hours) 

1100 Communication in Society (3) 

Required Courses (4 courses; 12 Credit Hours) 

Comm 2540-Introduction to Communication Technology (3)

Comm 3440-Mass Communication and Society (3) 

Comm 3620-Introduction to Interpersonal Comm (3) 

Comm 3333-Crisis Communication (3)  -or-  Comm 3444 - Advertising and Society (3) 

Communication minor program guidelines

Credit hours required: A minimum of 12. 1000 level courses shall not be counted in the minor. At least 6 credit hours must be upper-division courses (3000-level or above) as defined by the College of Arts and Sciences. 

Transfer and EM credit hours allowed: A student is permitted to count up to 6 total hours of transfer credit and/or credit by examination. 

Overlap with the GE: A student is permitted to overlap up to 6 credit hours between the GE and the minor. 

Overlap with the major and additional minor(s) 

• The minor must be in a different subject than the major.
• The minor must contain a minimum of 12 hours distinct from the major and/or additional minor(s).   

Grades Required

• Minimum C- for a course to be counted on the minor.
• Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA for all minor coursework.
• Course work graded Pass/Non-Pass cannot count on the minor.
• No more than 3 credit hours of course work graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory may count toward the minor. 

X193 credits: No more than 3 credit hours. 

Declaring the minor: Students should see their assigned academic advisor to declare the minor prior to the filing of the graduation application. Students do not need the approval of the School of Communication to declare the minor. 

Approval of Coursework Initial approval of the minor coursework:  Students who complete the minor following the guidelines on this sheet need only verify with their academic advisor that the minor appears complete on the Degree Audit Report. No approval from the School of Communication is required.  

Approval for courses not listed on this form to apply to the minor program: Students may not request alternatives to the listed coursework for this program; all students must adhere to the guidelines and policies outlined on this form. 

Communication Technology (COMTECH-MN) 

The minor in Communication Technology provides students with an understanding of the impact of communication technology on society and an introduction to basic skills required for designing websites and other interactive media. 

The Communication Technology minor requires the completion of at least four courses for a minimum of 12 credits, including one foundational course. Upon completion of the minor, students should file the Minor with a college or school advisor. Any variation from the program described below needs the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Students may request approval of a minor variation by filing a petition through the School of Communication Advising Office. 

Required foundation: (1 course; 3 CH) 

Comm 2540 – Introduction to Communication Technology (3) 

Electives: (3 courses, 9-10 CH) 

Choose at least three from these electives: (minimum 9 credit hours; at least 6 credit hours at 3000-level or above) 

Comm 2511 – Visual Communication Design (3) 
Comm 3165 – Evaluation and Usability Testing (4) 
Comm 3545 – Human Computer Interaction & User Experience (3) 
Comm 3554 – Social Implications of Comm Tech (3)  
Comm 3558 – Social Media (3) 
Comm 4511 – User-Centered Comm Design (3) 
Comm 4555 – Computer Interface and Human Identity (3) 
Comm 4556 – Information Tech and Organizational Comm (3) 
Comm 4557 – Comm Network Infrastructure (3)  
Comm 4738 – Health Comm and New Media (3) 

Communication technology minor program guidelines

Credit hours required: A minimum of 12. 1000 level courses shall not be counted in the minor. At least 6 credit hours must be upper-division courses (3000-level or above) as defined by the College of Arts and Sciences. 

Transfer and EM credit hours allowed: A student is permitted to count up to 6 total hours of transfer credit and/or credit by examination. 

Overlap with the GE: A student is permitted to overlap up to 6 credit hours between the GE and the minor. 

Overlap with the major and additional minor(s) 

• The minor must be in a different subject than the major.
• The minor must contain a minimum of 12 hours distinct from the major and/or additional minor(s).   

Grades Required

• Minimum C- for a course to be counted on the minor.
• Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA for all minor coursework.
• Course work graded Pass/Non-Pass cannot count on the minor.
• No more than 3 credit hours of course work graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory may count toward the minor. 

X193 credits: No more than 3 credit hours. 

Declaring the minor: Students should see their assigned academic advisor to declare the minor prior to the filing of the graduation application. Students do not need the approval of the School of Communication to declare the minor. 

Approval of Coursework Initial approval of the minor coursework:  Students who complete the minor following the guidelines on this sheet need only verify with their academic advisor that the minor appears complete on the Degree Audit Report. No approval from the School of Communication is required.  

Approval for courses not listed on this form to apply to the minor program: Students may not request alternatives to the listed coursework for this program; all students must adhere to the guidelines and policies outlined on this form. 

Games Studies Minor (GAMESTUD-MN)

The 15 credit hour Game Studies Minor introduces students to an interdisciplinary approach to understanding what games are, how they are made, how to interpret games as critical narratives, and how to understand the roles they play in society.

Required core courses (9 credit hours):

English 2463: Introduction to Video Games Analysis (Group A: Critique/Interpretation) (3) 

Communication 3513: Video Games and the Individual (Group B: Social Analysis) (3) 

Design 3104: Introduction to Game Design (Group C: Create/Engagement) (3)

Elective courses (6 credits):

In addition, students will select two more courses (6 credits) listed below. Students wishing to concentrate their minor on one of the four focus areas should choose courses from the same group.

Group A: Critique/Interpretation

English 2367.08: The U.S. Experience: Writing About Video Games (3) 

English 3364: Special Topics in Popular Culture (when course topic is focused on games)* (3) 

Music 2254: Music of Video Games (3) 

Philosophy 2455: Philosophy and Videogames (3)

Group B: Social Analysis

Communication 3545: Human Computer Interaction (3) 

Communication 3554: Social Implications of Communication Technology (3) 

Communication 4555: Computer Interface and Human Identity (3)

Group C: Create/Engagement

Design 4104: Intermediate Game Design I (3) 

Design 4154: Intermediate Game Design II (3) 

Art 5001: Aspects of Art and Technology 1 (when focused on videogame creation)* (3)

Group D: Technical/Coding

CSE 3541: Computer Game and Animation Techniques (course has prerequisites) (3) 

CSE 5912: Capstone Design: Game Design and Development (course has prerequisites) (3)

Game Studies minor program guidelines

Credit hours required: A minimum of 15 credits. 1000 level courses shall not be counted toward the 15 credit hour minimum. At least 6 credit hours must be upper-level classes as defined by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Transfer and EM credit hours allowed: A student is permitted to count up to 6 total hours of transfer credit and/or credit by examination.

Overlap with the GE: A student is permitted to overlap up to 6 credit hours between the GE and the minor.

Overlap with the major and additional minor(s)

• The minor must be in a different subject than the major
• The minor must contain a minimum of 12 hours distinct from the major and/or additional minor(s)

Grades required 

• Minimum C- for a course to be listed on the minor.
• Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA for all minor course work.
• Course work graded Pass/Non-Pass cannot count on the minor.
• No more than 3 credit hours of course work graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory may count toward the minor.

X193 credits: No more than 3 credit hours.

Minor Completion: Students should consult with advisors before selecting any courses marked with *, as only specific sections can be used toward the minor. If the minor is not complete on the DAR, the student must consult with the College of Arts and Sciences Coordinating Advisor.

Changing the minor: Once the minor program is filed in the college office, any changes must be approved by the College of Arts and Sciences Coordinating Advisor.

School of Communication advisor: Lisa Jerele, jerele.2@osu.edu, 3033 Derby Hall

Department of Design advisor: Gabe Tippery, tippery.2@osu.edu, 105A Hayes Hall

Department of English advisor: Jameson Gower, gower.11@osu.edu, 421 Denney Hall

Health, Environment, Risk & Science Communication Minor (HERSCOM-MN)  

The minor in Health, Environment, Risk, and Science Communication provides students with an understanding of the role of communication in health and health care, science, and the communication of risk. All of these areas deal with the communication of complex information that has implications for people's well-being and safety. 

The Health, Environment, Risk, & Science Communication minor requires the completion of at least four courses for 12 credits, including one foundational course. To declare the minor, students should meet with their assigned academic advisor or any advisor in the School of Communication. Any variation from the program described below needs the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.  Students may request approval of a minor variation by filing a petition through the School of Communication Advising Office.

Required foundational course (3 credit hours)

2596 – An Introduction to Health, Environment, Risk, & Science Communication (3) 

Choose at least three from these electives (9 credit hours) 

• 3340 – Principles of Environmental Campaigns (3)
• 4240 – Science Communication (3)
• 3332 – Risk Communication (3)
• 3333 – Crisis Communication (3)
• 4736 – Health Communication in Interpersonal Contexts (3)
• 4737 – Health Communication in Mass Mediated Contexts (3)
• 4738 –Health Communication and New Media (3) 

Electives can include one of the following: *4998 – Undergraduate Research (1-15) (no more than 3 hours can count toward the minor) OR *4999H – Honors Thesis Research (1-12) (no more than 3 hours can count toward the minor)

*the Honors (H) version of any of the above courses can be used to meet the requirements for the minor 

Health, Environment, Rick and Science Communication minor program guidelines

Credit hours required: A minimum of 12. 1000 level courses shall not be counted in the minor. At least 6 credit hours must be upper-division courses (3000-level or above) as defined by the College of Arts and Sciences. 

Transfer and EM credit hours allowed: A student is permitted to count up to 6 total hours of transfer credit and/or credit by examination. 

Overlap with the GE: A student is permitted to overlap up to 6 credit hours between the GE and the minor. 

Overlap with the major and additional minor(s) 

• The minor must be in a different subject than the major.
• The minor must contain a minimum of 12 hours distinct from the major and/or additional minor(s).   

Grades Required

• Minimum C- for a course to be counted on the minor.
• Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA for all minor coursework.
• Course work graded Pass/Non-Pass cannot count on the minor.
• No more than 3 credit hours of course work graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory may count toward the minor. 

X193 credits: No more than 3 credit hours. 

Declaring the minor: Students should see their assigned academic advisor to declare the minor prior to the filing of the graduation application. Students do not need the approval of the School of Communication to declare the minor. 

Approval of Coursework Initial approval of the minor coursework:  Students who complete the minor following the guidelines on this sheet need only verify with their academic advisor that the minor appears complete on the Degree Audit Report. No approval from the School of Communication is required.  

Approval for courses not listed on this form to apply to the minor program: Students may not request alternatives to the listed coursework for this program; all students must adhere to the guidelines and policies outlined on this form. 

Media and Society Minor (MEDIASC-MN) 

The minor in Media and Society is intended to provide students with an understanding of the impact of media on everyday life. The minor requires completion of one foundational course and at least three additional courses chosen from among electives ranging from the 3000 level to the 4000level. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the foundational course before enrolling in the electives.

The Media and Society minor requires the completion of at least four courses for a minimum 12 credits, including one foundational course. Upon completion of the minor, students should file the Minor with a college or school counselor. Any variation from the program described below needs the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Students may request approval of a minor variation by filing a petition through the School of Communication Advising Office. 

Required foundational course: (3 credit hours) 

3440 – Mass Comm and Society (3) 

Choose at least three from these electives (minimum of 9 credit hours): 

• 3402 – Crime and the News Media (3)
• 3404 – Media Law & Ethics (3)  
• 3413 – Media Entertainment (3)
• 3414 – Sports Media Relations (3)
• 3466 – Communication and Popular Culture (3)
• 4240 – Science Communication (3)
• 4401 – Mass Communication and Youth (3)
• 4814 – Political Communication (3)
• 4820 – Public Opinion and Communication (3) 

Media and Society minor program guidelines

Credit hours required: A minimum of 12. 1000 level courses shall not be counted in the minor. At least 6 credit hours must be upper-division courses (3000-level or above) as defined by the College of Arts and Sciences. 

Transfer and EM credit hours allowed: A student is permitted to count up to 6 total hours of transfer credit and/or credit by examination. 

Overlap with the GE: A student is permitted to overlap up to 6 credit hours between the GE and the minor. 

Overlap with the major and additional minor(s) 

• The minor must be in a different subject than the major.
• The minor must contain a minimum of 12 hours distinct from the major and/or additional minor(s).   

Grades Required

• Minimum C- for a course to be counted on the minor.
• Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA for all minor coursework.
• Course work graded Pass/Non-Pass cannot count on the minor.
• No more than 3 credit hours of course work graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory may count toward the minor. 

X193 credits: No more than 3 credit hours. 

Declaring the minor: Students should see their assigned academic advisor to declare the minor prior to the filing of the graduation application. Students do not need the approval of the School of Communication to declare the minor. 

Approval of Coursework Initial approval of the minor coursework:  Students who complete the minor following the guidelines on this sheet need only verify with their academic advisor that the minor appears complete on the Degree Audit Report. No approval from the School of Communication is required.  

Approval for courses not listed on this form to apply to the minor program: Students may not request alternatives to the listed coursework for this program; all students must adhere to the guidelines and policies outlined on this form. 

Media Production and Analysis Minor (MEDPROD-MN)

The interdisciplinary minor in Media Production and Analysis provides students with an understanding of the societal impact of contemporary media practices and provides opportunities to develop specific media production skills. Students will both analyze and produce media content for distribution through a variety of means.

The Media Production and Analysis minor requires the completion of five courses for at least 15 credit hours, including three foundational courses. Students must take courses from each of the two departments.

No more than 3 hours of Comm 4191 or Theatre 4191 or 5189 can be applied to the minor.

Required foundational courses (9 credit hours)

Select one course from each of the foundations listed below for a total of 3 courses:

Media and Criticism - Choose one: 

• Comm 2540 - Intro to Communication Technology (3)
• ArtEduc or Theatre 2700 - Understanding Television (3)

News and Production Practicum - Choose one: 

• Comm 2223 - Lantern Practicum (4)
• Theatre 3351 - Television Production 1 (3)

Field Studies - Choose one: 

• Comm 4191 - Internship (1-3)
• Theatre 4191 - Internship (1-3)
• Theatre 5189 - Fieldwork in Theatre, Cinema or Video (1-3)

Electives (minimum 6 credit hours)

Select courses from the following list to total a minimum of 6 credit hours. Students must take courses from two different departments. 

• ACCAD 5100 - Concept Development for Time-based Media (3)
• Comm 2321 - Writing for Strategic Communication (3)
• Comm 3403 - Sports Writing and Editing (3)
• Comm 3405 - Introduction to Lantern TV (3)
• Comm 3413 - Media Entertainment (3)
• Comm 3414 – Sports Media Relations (3)
• Comm 3554 - Social Implications of Comm Technology (3)
• Theatre 2000.03 - Technical Production Practicum: Video (1)
• Theatre 2351 - Fundamentals of Radio/Television (3)
• Theatre 3351 - Television Production 1 (3)
• Theatre 3352 - Television Production 2 (3)
• Theatre 4000.03 - Practicum: Video (1-3)
• Theatre 5321 - Film/Video Production 1 (3)
• Theatre 5322 - The Art of Editing (3)
• Theatre 5323 - Film/Video Production 2 (3)
• Theatre 5331 - Screenwriting (3)

Media Production and Analysis minor program guidelines

Credit hours required: A minimum of 15. 1000 level courses shall not be counted in the minor. At least 6 credit hours must be at the 3000-level or above.

Transfer and EM credit hours allowed: A student is permitted to count up to 6 total hours of transfer credit and/or credit by examination.

Overlap with the GE: A student is permitted to overlap up to 6 credit hours between the GE and the minor.

Overlap with the major and additional minor(s): 

• The minor must be in a different subject than the major.
• The minor must contain a minimum of 12 hours distinct from the major and/or additional minor(s).
• One course is permitted to overlap between this minor and a major or another minor.

Grades required 

• Minimum C- for a course to be counted on the minor.
• Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA for all minor course work.
• Course work graded Pass/Non-Pass cannot count on the minor.
• No more than 3 credit hours of course work graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory may count toward the minor.

X193 credits: No more than 3 credit hours.

Approval required: The minor course work must be approved by one of the listed Academic Advisors.

Filing the minor program form: The minor program form must be filed at least by the time the graduation application is submitted to a college/school advisor.

Changing the minor: Once the minor program is filed in the college office, any changes must be approved by one of the listed program advisors.

Program Advisors: 

Ryan Heitkamp (heitkamp.12@osu.edu) Academic Advisor 100 Denney Hall, 164 W. 17th Ave.

Jennifer Scott (scott.1512@osu.edu) School of Communication, Academic Advisor 3033 Derby Hall, 154 N. Oval Mall

Organizational Communication Minor (ORGLCOM-MN) 

The minor in Organizational Communication provides students with an understanding of the role of communication in organizational contexts.  Courses focus on how organizations interact with internal and external constituencies. 

The Organizational Communication minor requires the completion of at least four courses for 12 credits, including one foundational course. To declare the minor, students should file the Minor with a college or school counselor. Any variation from the program described below needs the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.  Students may request approval of a minor variation by filing a petition through the School of Communication Advising Office. 

Required foundational course (1 course; 3CH) 

3325 – Introduction to Organizational Communication (3) 

Elective Courses (3 courses; 9 CH) Choose at least three from the list below: 

• 3330 – Communication and Conflict Mgmt (3)
• 3331 – Communication and Decision Making (3)
• 3628 – Contemporary Persuasion Theory (3)
• 3668 – Intercultural Communication (3)
• 4556 – Information Technology & Organizational Communication (3)
• 4557 – Communication Network Infrastructure (3)
• 4635 – Communication Dynamics in Groups (3)
• 4665 – Human Communication in Social Networks (3) 

Communication minor program guidelines

Credit hours required: A minimum of 12. 1000 level courses shall not be counted in the minor. At least 6 credit hours must be upper-division courses (3000-level or above) as defined by the College of Arts and Sciences. 

Transfer and EM credit hours allowed: A student is permitted to count up to 6 total hours of transfer credit and/or credit by examination. 

Overlap with the GE: A student is permitted to overlap up to 6 credit hours between the GE and the minor. 

Overlap with the major and additional minor(s) 

• The minor must be in a different subject than the major.
• The minor must contain a minimum of 12 hours distinct from the major and/or additional minor(s).   

Grades Required

• Minimum C- for a course to be counted on the minor.
• Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA for all minor coursework.
• Course work graded Pass/Non-Pass cannot count on the minor.
• No more than 3 credit hours of course work graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory may count toward the minor. 

X193 credits: No more than 3 credit hours. 

Declaring the minor: Students should see their assigned academic advisor to declare the minor prior to the filing of the graduation application. Students do not need the approval of the School of Communication to declare the minor. 

Approval of Coursework Initial approval of the minor coursework:  Students who complete the minor following the guidelines on this sheet need only verify with their academic advisor that the minor appears complete on the Degree Audit Report. No approval from the School of Communication is required.  

Approval for courses not listed on this form to apply to the minor program: Students may not request alternatives to the listed coursework for this program; all students must adhere to the guidelines and policies outlined on this form.