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Communication Studies (B.A.)

The Communication Studies major prepares our students to be effective and ethical communicators in their professional, relational, and cultural roles. Our students learn to critique and create messages in multiple contexts. We emphasize the intersection of theory and practice as the foundation for problem solving, creativity, critical thinking, and understanding the diversity of communication practices.

Option areas in the Communication Studies major:

Corporate Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Mass Communication
Communication in Organizations (online)
 

Corporate Communication Option

Semester hours required for the BA in Communication Studies: Corporate Communication Option: 48

Communication is identified as one of the top skills required for any organization. The option provides students with the knowledge, values, perspectives and skills necessary to understand the roles, functions, strategies, and management of positions within organizations with high communication demands.

Communication Studies Core: 21 hours

CMN 2010
Approaches to Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 2040
Critical Analysis: Everybody's a Critic.  (3 credits)
CMN 3000
Communication Research Methods.  (3 credits)
CMN 3100
Persuasion.  (3 credits)
CMN 3220
Rhetoric of Race and Class.  (3 credits)
CMN 3903
Rhetoric of Gender and Sexuality.  (3 credits)
CMN 4680
Capstone in Communication Studies.  (3 credits)

Corporate Communication Option Core: 18 hours

CMN 2630
Introduction to Interpersonal Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 2650
Introduction to Organizational Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 3470
Small Group Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 3650
Organizational Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 3710
Communicating Across Differences.  (3 credits)
CMN 4650
Application in Organizational Communication.  (3 credits)

Option Electives: 9 hours

Corporate Communication students may select any CMN prefix course as an elective. Other electives are available, selected in consultation with an advisor.

Interpersonal Communication Option

Semester hours required for the BA in Communication Studies: Interpersonal Communication Option: 48

This option is designed for students who are interested in developing knowledge, skills, and abilities that facilitate effective communication in personal, professional, and group contexts. Option core requirements examine interpersonal communication processes of influence, support, conflict, and intimacy among friends, family, romantic partners, and in the workplace. Graduates with an Interpersonal Communication Option are particularly well-prepared for positions which require working with individuals and groups from varying backgrounds, with differing needs and interests, and where the goals of communication are to inform/explain, influence, and/or negotiate resolution of problems or disputes. Interpersonal Communication students can tailor the program so as to prepare themselves for work in multiple or multi-faceted communicative environments (e.g., as an advisor, educator, mediator, liaison, change agent in profit, non-profit, and national and international contexts).

Communication Studies Core: 21 hours

CMN 2010
Approaches to Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 2040
Critical Analysis: Everybody's a Critic.  (3 credits)
CMN 3000
Communication Research Methods.  (3 credits)
CMN 3100
Persuasion.  (3 credits)
CMN 3220
Rhetoric of Race and Class.  (3 credits)
CMN 3903
Rhetoric of Gender and Sexuality.  (3 credits)
CMN 4680
Capstone in Communication Studies.  (3 credits)

Interpersonal Communication Option Core: 18 hours

CMN 2630
Introduction to Interpersonal Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 3470
Small Group Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 3640
Interpersonal Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 3660
Communication and Conflict Management.  (3 credits)
CMN 3710
Communicating Across Differences.  (3 credits)
CMN 4765
Communication in Families.  (3 credits)

Option Electives: 9 hours

Interpersonal Communication students may select any CMN prefix course as an elective. Other electives are available, selected in consultation with an advisor.

Mass Communication Option

Semester hours for the BA in Communication Studies: Mass Communication Option: 49

Success in today's rapidly evolving media industries requires a solid foundation in the liberal arts, comprehensive training in media theory, and introductory skills in media production as traditional communication channels overlap and converge. The Mass Communication option helps students to learn how to think critically about the ways in which mass communication influences society, and helps them become informed, critical consumers of media. Special focus is given to how mediated communication influences our understanding of political and social life, and our understanding of our place in a world that has become increasingly smaller.

Communication Studies Core: 21 hours

CMN 2010
Approaches to Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 2040
Critical Analysis: Everybody's a Critic.  (3 credits)
CMN 3000
Communication Research Methods.  (3 credits)
CMN 3100
Persuasion.  (3 credits)
CMN 3220
Rhetoric of Race and Class.  (3 credits)
CMN 3903
Rhetoric of Gender and Sexuality.  (3 credits)
CMN 4680
Capstone in Communication Studies.  (3 credits)

Mass Communication Option Core: 19 hours

CMN 2520
Introduction to Mass Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 2500
Television & Video Production I.  (3 credits)

or

 
CMN 3030
Promotional Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 3270
Communication and Popular Culture.  (3 credits)
CMN 3530
Film Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 3980
Strategic Social Media Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 4820
Political Communication.  (3 credits)

Option Electives: 9 hours

Mass Communication students may select any CMN prefix course as an elective. Other electives are available, selected in consultation with an advisor.

Communication in Organizations Option (Online)

Semester hours required for the BA in Communication Studies: Communication in Organizations Option: 46

This online degree completion program will help students enhance their marketability in today's professional environment through the integration of theory and practice and the development of relational and organizational communication skills. Individuals who are proficient communicators are more valuable in contemporary organizations that are increasingly global, team-based, and feature flatter hierarchical structures. This option is designed for online delivery to meet the needs of place-bound students, including working adults who want to finish their Bachelor's degree to help with career advancement.

Required Courses: 34 hours

CMN 2010
Approaches to Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 2040
Critical Analysis: Everybody's a Critic.  (3 credits)
CMN 3000
Communication Research Methods.  (3 credits)
CMN 3100
Persuasion.  (3 credits)
CMN 2630
Introduction to Interpersonal Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 2650
Introduction to Organizational Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 3470
Small Group Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 3650
Organizational Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 3660
Communication and Conflict Management.  (3 credits)
CMN 3710
Communicating Across Differences.  (3 credits)
CMN 4950
Workplace Relationships.  (3 credits)

Communication in Organizations Electives: 12 hours

(Selected in consultation with an advisor)

CMN 3030
Promotional Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 3940
Advertising: Theory and Practice.  (3 credits)
CMN 3980
Strategic Social Media Communication.  (3 credits)
CMN 4030
Seminar in Communication Studies  (3 credits)

(May be repeated with a different topic)

CMN 4900
Advanced Topics in Communication Studies.  (3 credits)
JOU 3920
Public Relations in Society.  (3 credits)

(Credit will not be given for both JOU 3920 and CMN 3920)

ODL 4700
Leadership in Organizations.  (3 credits)
ODL 4815
Conflict in Organizations.  (3 credits)
ODL 4825
Ethical Behavior in Organizations.  (3 credits)
ODL 4865
Diversity in Organizations.  (3 credits)
ODL 4880
Productive Work Teams.  (3 credits)
ENG 2760
Introduction to Professional Writing.  (3 credits)
ENG 3005
Technical Communication.  (3 credits)
ENG 4760
Special Topics in Professional Writing.  (3 credits)
ENG 4765
Professional Editing.  (3 credits)

Information sourced from the 2026-2027 EIU Undergraduate Catalog.