Communication

• Faculty
• Home Page - http://www.gmu.edu/departments/comm/
• Undergraduate Program
  • Writing-Intensive Requirement
  • Interdisciplinary Minor

Faculty

Professors: Boileau (Chair), Broome, Decker, Friedley, Manchester, Taylor

Associate Professors: Akwule, Lont, Looney, J. Muir (joint appointment with New Century College), S. Muir

Assistant Professor: Borden

Instructors: Kimble, Mangus, Tomasovic

Adjunct Professors: Gaudino, Gladis, Joffe, Korn, Lieb, M'Bayo, Nwokeafor, Paglin, R. Smith

Lecturers: Adams, Braithwaite, Chaaban, Dickerson, Hansche, Hanweck, Hefner, Kehoe, Mathison, McKelvy, Schmidt, Slagle, Wray

The Communication Department offers all course work designated COMM in the Course Descriptions section of this catalog.

Undergraduate Program

Study in communication prepares students for graduate study or entry-level positions in one of six concentrations: international and intercultural communication, interpersonal and organizational communication, journalism, media production and criticism, persuasive and political communication, or public relations.

In addition to the general requirements for the B.A. degree, communication majors must complete 36 credits in communication, including the following:

1. Five required communication courses, which must be completed with grades of C or better:
   1. COMM 250 (3) (COMM 400 may substitute)
   2. COMM 300 (3)
   3. COMM 301 (3)
   4. COMM 302 (3)
   5. COMM 420 (3) (to be taken after completing 105 credits)

2. The remaining 21 credits of communication electives, 12 of which must be at the 300 or 400 level, should be selected in consultation with an advisor. These 21 credits of COMM electives may include no more than 10 credits total from among the following courses: COMM 140, 141, 142, 143, 145, 148, 157, 340, 341, 342, 343, 345, 346, 348, 349, 363, 450, 451, 499; no more than 6 credits of internship (COMM 450). No more than 9 credits of internship (COMM 450 and/or GOVT 450) may be applied toward the 120 credits required for graduation.

3. Of these 21 credits of electives, at least 12 credits must be selected from one of the six department concentrations. A list of courses in each concentration is available in the department. Students must declare a concentration before they earn 90 or more credits. Transfer students with 60 or more credits are encouraged to declare a concentration by the end of their first semester at George Mason. Students may construct an individualized concentration after consultation with an approval by their advisors; students may not declare an individualized concentration after they have earned 90 or more credits toward graduation.

All students are encouraged to participate in one of the communication activities: WGMU, Broadside, Debate, Forensics, Student Video Center, and GM View, the video yearbook. Many students include an internship during their senior year as a way of gaining practical experience with national and international businesses, associations, or government agencies.

To fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences general education communication requirement, communication majors must take COMM 100, 101, or 102 (or have equivalent transfer courses). These courses do not count as part of the 36 credits for the major.

Communication majors are urged to consult with an advisor in planning an appropriate schedule that will contribute to developing courses from support areas.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in communication fulfill this requirement by successfully completing COMM 300.

Interdisciplinary Minor

The department coordinates the interdisciplinary minor in women's studies. See the University Programs chapter for a description of the minor.