Communication, B.A. Program (120 units)
Program Description
The Communication Department emphasizes theories and criticism of current issues in communication and digital media, along with essential professional communication knowledge, skills and research. As a graduate, you will be able to make an important positive and professional contribution in related professions (see below for career opportunities). We offer two suggested tracks, one in communication and media and one in strategic communication. Within these tracks, our faculty have unique expertise in areas such as Afrofuturism, social media, socio-cultural aspects of artificial intelligence, advertising, public relations, journalism and critical journalism studies, media production, informal learning, media effects, documentary filmmaking, contemporary rhetoric, persuasion in media and interpersonally, filmmaking, the cultural study of film, and more.
The communication major prepares you for a career in communication and media. You will become a highly media-literate critical thinker, a creative producer, and a responsible citizen in a fast-changing world. You will learn how to apply communication theories and practices to real-world scenarios, such as how social media influences public opinion, how advertising shapes consumer behavior, or how news and social media inform and influence democracy. You will learn to create effective messages for different audiences and contexts, such as writing for the Web and designing multimedia presentations. You can learn the skills and ethics of creating and editing video and podcasts. You will also develop much-sought-after research skills to help you investigate media and communication phenomena. Those skills include the ability to formulate research questions, to carry out research, to express original arguments, and to interpret evidence. Our program emphasizes social justice-oriented communication based on respect for all communities, particularly those historically marginalized and underrepresented.
Our undergraduate students complete 44 units in total for the major, including six 4-unit core courses (24 units) and five 4-unit electives (20 units). There are no concentrations in the Communication program. However you may wish to pursue two suggested areas of emphasis (tracks) by choosing your electives from the following categories. Students may also opt to choose courses from both of the suggested tracks.
For the Communication and Media track we suggest five elective courses (20 units) from the following:
- COMM 312 - Media History and Social Justice Units: 4
- COMM 314 - Media Theory and Practice Units: 4
- COMM 316 - Media and Politics Units: 4
- COMM 320 - Persuasion in Media Units: 4
- COMM 323 - Communication of Difference Units: 4
- COMM 326 - Social Media and Social Change Literacies Units: 4
- COMM 328 - Multimedia Reporting & Writing I Units: 4
- COMM 330 - Critical/Cultural Studies Units: 4
- COMM 333 - Photojournalism Units: 3
- COMM 335 - Visual and Multimedia Storytelling I Units 3
- COMM 398 - Internship Units: 1-4
- COMM 400 - Film, Communication and Culture Units: 4
- COMM 416 - Communication, Technology, and Social Change Units: 4
- COMM 417 - Game Studies Units: 4
- COMM 425 - Digital Cultures Units: 4
- COMM 428 - Multimedia Reporting and Writing II Units: 4
- COMM 433 - Discourses of Difference Units: 4
- COMM 435 - Visual and Multimedia Storytelling II Units: 3
- COMM 455 - Communication, Media, and Society Units: 4
- COMM 461 - Popular Culture Units: 4
- COMM 465 - Identity and Difference in Media Units: 4
- COMM 480 - Moral Economies of Digital Media Units: 4
- COMM 485 - Future of Media and Society Units: 4
- COMM 490 - Independent Study Units: 1-4
- COMM 490 - Independent Study Units: 1-4
- COMM 495 - Mediamaking Practicum Units: 3
- COMM 497 - Issues in Communication Units: 4
For the Strategic and Organizational Communication track we suggest five elective courses (20 units) from the following:
- COMM 310 - Introduction to Organizational Communication & Long Term Thinking Units: 4
- COMM 312 - Media History and Social Justice Units: 4
- COMM 321 - Research in Persuasive Communication Units: 4
- COMM 357 - Principles of Advertising Units: 4
- COMM 358 - Principles of Public Relations Units: 4
- COMM 387 - Advertising Design and Production Units: 4
- COMM 388 - Public Relations Practice Units: 4
- COMM 398 - Internship Units: 1-4
- COMM 410 - Organizing Cultures of Innovation and Empathy Units: 4
- COMM 417 - Game Studies Units: 4
- COMM 418 - Organizational Change, Creativity, and Innovation Units: 4
- COMM 420 - Organizational Transformation Units: 4
- COMM 453 - Strategic Communication Campaigns Units: 4
- COMM 470 - Communication Campaigns Units: 4
- COMM 471 - Strategic Communication and Difference Units: 4
- COMM 475 - Digital Organizational Communication Units: 4
- COMM 480 - Moral Economies of Digital Media Units: 4
- COMM 488 - Conflict Management Units: 4
- COMM 490 - Independent Study Units: 1-4
- COMM 496 - Topics in Communication Units: 4
- COMM 497 - Issues in Communication Units: 4
Program Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a B.A. in Communication will be able to:
- Understand and apply communication theories to real-world scenarios.
- Demonstrate research skills applicable to the study of media and communication, such as the ability to formulate research questions, express original arguments using theory, and interpret various types of evidence.
- Create effective messages and communication practices reflecting the analysis of topic, audience, and context, that embody social justice while incorporating diverse communication perspectives toward communities and peoples.
Program Roadmaps
These program roadmaps represent recommended pathways through the program. Please see an advisor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs.
| | 4-Year Freshmen Roadmaps |
| | 2-Year ADT Roadmaps - Communication, B.A. (Communication Studies ADT)
- Communication, B.A. (Journalism ADT)
- Communication, B.A. (Social Justice ADT)
|
Career Opportunities
Our students have completed internships and launched their careers at a wide range of top companies and organizations, including in the tech sector, public relations, journalism and media production, professional sports, and non-profit groups. Students also go on to complete master’s and doctoral graduate programs.
Our graduates work at recognizable organizations such as Autodesk, Meta, Google, X, Oracle, Linkedin, Apple, Disney, Kaiser Permanente, KTVU, The Springhill Company, Archetype, Museum of Children’s Arts, Institute For The Future, Major League Baseball, the San Francisco Giants, San Diego FC, and much more. We have alumni working in international settings such as in China , Vietnam, India, Japan, Germany, France, Mexico, Canada, Romania, Libya, Afghanistan,
Degree Requirements Unit-Outline
- A baccalaureate of arts degree requires a total of 120 units:
- The major requirements consist of 44 units;
- General Education & Graduation Requirements consist of 52 units;
- Free Electives may consist of 24 units (actual number of free elective units may depend on GE/GR units).
Note: It may be possible to double-count units within the graduation requirements or that a course may satisfy both a graduation requirement and a major requirement. Students should contact their program advisors for information.
Communication Major Requirements (44 units)
Core Coursework
The Communication core coursework consists of 24 units as outlined:
Electives
Take a minimum of 20 units from the following selection of courses:
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