Interim Chair and Associate Professor: N. Bedner (PhD), 450-3202
Associate Professor: J. McIntyre (PhD)
Assistant Professor: M. Alston-Miller (PhD), R. Brown (PhD), A. Hawkins (PhD), J. Pe-Aguirre (PhD)
Lecturer II: T. Colaianni (MA), A. Gardner (MA)
Lecturer I: K. Bray (MA), L. Dilday (PhD), S. Fritzges (MA), T. Phillips (MA)
[1] Purposes
Courses in the Department of Communication teach students how to effectively gather, analyze, synthesize, and present information to audiences in meaningful and engaging ways. The department offers Principles of Communication (COMM 1300), which supports the UCA Core program’s emphasis on critical inquiry and effective communication. The department offers majors and minors in Communication and Public Relations.
The Communication program focuses on theories, concepts, and best practices in verbal and nonverbal communication, as well as using different forms of media to inform, educate, and persuade audiences across various contexts and cultures.
The Public Relations program emphasizes strategic research, planning, execution, and evaluation of communication programs for companies, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and public figures.
[2] Baccalaureate Degrees
UD = Upper Division
D = Diversity
I = Critical Inquiry
Z = Capstone Experience
Note: Courses with the subject prefix COMM carried the SPCH subject prefix through summer 2015.
[2.1] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Public Relations
The degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with a major in public relations requires the successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) 40 upper-division hours; (3) special BA or BS degree requirements specified by the university; (4) a major as described below; and (5) a minor as arranged through the student’s minor advisor.
[2.1.1] Major in Public Relations (39 hours)
Core Courses (18 hours):
PRLS 2305 Introduction to Public Relations
COMM 2308 Perspectives in Communication
COMM 2313 Introduction to Communication Research
COMM 3301 Organizational Communication [ UD UCA Core: C, R ]
COMM 3308 Argumentation and Advocacy OR
COMM 3312 Persuasion
Application Courses (18 hours):
JOUR 3305 Publication Design and Makeup
PRLS 3305 Public Relations Techniques
PRLS 3310 Writing for Public Relations [ UD UCA Core: D ]
PRLS 4305 Public Relations Cases and Campaigns [ UD UCA Core: Z ]
PRLS 4308 Public Relations Management [ UD UCA Core: I ]
Electives (3 hours, chosen from the following):
PRLS 4310 Nonprofit Public Relations
PRLS 4312 International Public Relations
PRLS 4316 Special Topics in Public Relations
PRLS 4V80 Directed Study in Public Relations (variable credit)
COMM 3310 Advanced Public Speaking
COMM 3330 Event Planning
COMM 3341 Small Group Communication
COMM 3370 Intercultural Communication
COMM 4315 Communication and Leadership
COMM 4318 Crisis Communication
COMM 4325 Health Communication
COMM 4334 Political Communication
[2.1.2] Minor in Public Relations (21 hours)
Required Courses at 2000-level (6 hours):
COMM 2308 Perspectives in Communication
Required Courses at 3000-/4000-level (9 hours):
PRLS 4308 Public Relations Management [ UD UCA Core: I ]
COMM 3301 Organizational Communication [ UD UCA Core: C, R ]
Plus two courses to be selected from the following (6 hours):
PRLS 4316 Special Topics in Public Relations
COMM 3310 Advanced Public Speaking
COMM 3370 Intercultural Communication
COMM 4315 Communication and Leadership
COMM 4318 Crisis Communication
COMM 4325 Health Communication
COMM 4334 Political Communication
[2.2] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Communication
The degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with a major in communication requires the successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the UCA Core requirements) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) 40 upper-division hours; (3) special BA or BS degree requirements specified by the university; (4) a major as described below; and (5) a minor as arranged through the student’s minor advisor.
[2.2.1] Major in Communication (34 hours)
Required Courses (9 hours):
COMM 2313 Introduction to Communication Research
COMM 3312 Persuasion OR
COMM 3308 Argumentation & Advocacy
Electives (21 hours, chosen from the following):
COMM 3303 Gender Communication
COMM 3307 Interpersonal Communication [ UD UCA Core: D ]
COMM 3310 Advanced Public Speaking
COMM 3311 Evolution of Rhetorical Theory [ UD UCA Core: I ]
COMM 3V21 Communication Internship (variable credit)
COMM 3330 Event Planning
COMM 3370 Intercultural Communication
COMM 4305 African-American Rhetoric
COMM 4310 Presidential Rhetoric
COMM 4315 Communication and Leadership
COMM 4316 Special Topics in Communication
COMM 4318 Crisis Communication
COMM 4320 Nonverbal Communication
COMM 4325 Health Communication
COMM 4330 Family Communication
COMM 4334 Political Communication
COMM 4V80 Directed Study in Communication (variable credit)
Required Capstone Courses (4 hours):
COMM 4130 Communication Practicum [ UD UCA Core: Z ]
[2.2.2] Minor in Communication (21 hours)
Required Courses (9 hours):
COMM 2313 Introduction to Communication Research
COMM 3312 Persuasion OR
COMM 3308 Argumentation & Advocacy
Electives (12 hours, chosen from the following, with at least 9 hours at the 3000-/4000-level):
COMM 3303 Gender Communication
COMM 3307 Interpersonal Communication [ UD UCA Core: D ]
COMM 3310 Advanced Public Speaking
COMM 3311 Evolution of Rhetorical Theory [ UD UCA Core: I ]
COMM 3V21 Communication Internship (variable credit)
COMM 3330 Event Planning
COMM 3341 Small Group Communication
COMM 3370 Intercultural Communication
COMM 4305 African-American Rhetoric
COMM 4310 Presidential Rhetoric
COMM 4315 Communication and Leadership
COMM 4316 Special Topics in Communication
COMM 4318 Crisis Communication
COMM 4320 Nonverbal Communication
COMM 4325 Health Communication
COMM 4330 Family Communication
COMM 4334 Political Communication
[3] Course Links
[3.1] Courses in Communication (COMM)
Follow this link to COMM course descriptions: course link
[3.2] Courses in Public Relations (PRLS)
Follow this link to PRLS course descriptions: course link