B.A. in Communication at Shady Grove

Camille Kendall Academic Center (Universities at Shady Grove),

9636 Gudelsky Drive
Rockville, MD 20750
301-738-6208
www.shadygrove.umd.edu/programs/undergraduate/communication/umcp/communication.cfm

Chair: E. Toth
Director: L. Waks (Director, Senior Lecturer)
Coordinator: Lindsi Baltz (Program Coordinator)
Coordinator: Julie Gowin (Outreach Coordinator)
Professors: E. Fink, R. Gaines, J. Klumpp, S. Parry-Giles, T. Parry-Giles, A. Wolvin
Associate Professors: L. Aldoory, D. Hample
Assistant Professors: S. Khamis, B. Liu, M. Liu, K. Maddux, N. Ofulue,
Lecturers: R. Coleman (Lecturer), W. Lawson (Lecturer), S. Simon (Lecturer), J. Tenney (Lecturer), R. Toth (Lecturer)
Affiliate Professors: J. Fahnestock (ENGL), A. Kruglanski (PSYC), D. Rosenfelt (WMST)
Affiliate Associate Professors: M. Gelfand (PSYC), S. McDaniel (KNES)
Professors Emeriti: J. Grunig, L. Grunig
Visiting Faculty: K. Kendall (Res Prof, Visit Prof)

The Major at Shady Grove

The department offers an exciting curriculum that prepares students for academic and professional careers in business, government, health, education, social and human services, and related fields. Courses offered by the department include persuasion and social influence, rhetoric and the analysis of messages, communication and new media, digital communication, organizational communication, public relations strategies, and intercultural communication. All students in the program at Shady Grove are required to complete mandatory advising each semester.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the degree program in Communication, students should be able to demonstrate the following knowledge and skills:

1. An ability to distinguish among a variety of theoretical approaches in the communication discipline and use them appropriately and effectively in academic work.

2. An ability to conduct research and write research reports employing social scientific and/or humanistic approaches in the communication discipline.
3. An ability to argue clearly and effectively in a speech.

Academic Programs and Departmental Facilities

The Center for Political Communication and Civic Leadership unites research, education, and public engagement to foster democratic communication by a diverse people.  See www.comm.center.umd.edu.

The Center for Risk Communication Research (CRCR) advances dialogue and understanding about communication's role in controlling and preventing risk; about how publics perceive risk communication; and about the political, economic and social contexts for risk communication. Scholars associated with the CRCR examine health, food safety, security, and environmental risks.  See www.comm.riskcenter.umd.edu.

The department's Media Center at College Park is designed to provide one-on-one tutoring and instructional support to further students' oral communication skills and confidence.  The Media Center is equipped with cameras and recording equipment to tape speeches and presentations for practice and critique.  Students may also utilize resources available at Shady Grove through the Office of Information Technology.

Admission to the Major

Communication is a Limited Enrollment Program in which applicants should have an overall GPA of 2.7 of better, and a grade of "C-" or better in each of the three courses specifically required by the major (COMM250, COMM 107, Statistics, or their equivalents). Applicants should also attain junior standing (56 or more transferable college credits) by the time of enrollment. For more information on admission and lower-level coursework requirements, please visit the Communication web site or the Transfer Credit Center website at www.tce.umd.edu. Requirements for the major are as follows:

a.   Complete 50% of the general education requirements, including Fundamental Studies requirements in Mathematics and English.

b.   Complete one of the following courses with a grade of "C-" or better: BMGT230, CCJS200, EDMS451, PSYC200, SOCY201, STAT100 or equivalent.

c.  Complete COMM107, COMM 200, COMM230, or equivalent with a grade of "C-" or better

d.   Complete COMM250 or equivalent with a grade of "C-" or better and

e.   A cumulative GPA of 2.7 or better

Students may repeat only one of the Gateway courses and that may be repeated only once in their attempt to meet the requirements. 

Transfer Students

Internal and external transfer students who meet the Gateway requirements specified above and have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 in all college-level coursework may apply to the program.

Appeals

All students may appeal admission decisions. Those students denied admission may appeal to the university's Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Requirements for the Major

The course of study for a Communication major must satisfy all of the following requirements:

		Credits
COMM107	Oral Communication: Principles and Practices, OR	3
COMM200	Critical Thinking and Speaking, OR	3
COMM230	Argumentation and Debate	3
COMM250	Introduction to Communication Inquiry	3
COMM400	Research Methods in Communication	3
COMM401	Interpreting Strategic Discourse	3
	Communication Studies Track
COMM402	Communication Theory and Process	3
	One from:	3
COMM420	Theories of Group Discussion
COMM424	Communication in Complex Organizations
COMM425	Negotiation and Conflict Management
COMM426	Conflict Management
COMM435	Theories of Interpersonal Communication
COMM470	Listening
COMM475	Persuasion
COMM477	Discourse Analysis
COMM482	Intercultural Communications
	One from:	3
COMM330	Argumentation and Public Policy
COMM360	The Rhetoric of Black America
COMM450	Ancient and Medieval Rhetorical Theory
COMM451	Renaissance & Modern Rhetoric Theory
COMM453	The Power of Discourse in American Life
COMM455	Speechwriting
COMM460	Public Life in American Communities, 1634-1900
COMM461	Voices of Public Leadership in the Twentieth Century
COMM469	The Discourse of Social Movements
COMM471	Public Communication Campaigns
COMM476	Language, Communication, and Action
COMM	COMM Elective
COMM300/400	Upper Level COMM Electives	12
	One Statistical Analysis from:	3-4
STAT100	Elementary Statistics and Probability
PSYC200	Statistical Methods in Psychology
SOCY201	Introductory Statistics for Sociology
BMGT230	Business Statistics
EDMS451	Introduction to Educational Statistics or an equivalent course - see advisor
	One Structural Analysis of Language from:	3
LING200	Introductory Linguistics
HESP120	Introduction to Linguistics
ANTH380	Culture and Discourse or an equivalent course - see advisor
COURSES	Communications Studies: Courses related to Communication Studies in one department other than COMM	9

Notes:

• Because the department's curriculum changes over time, the department's Undergraduate Director may approve other appropriate Communication courses to meet the requirements for each track.

• Courses required for the Communication major, but taken outside COMM, may be used to satisfy general education requirements.

• Only 3 credits of COMM386 may apply toward the major.
• No course grade below the grade of C- may count toward the major.
• An overall GPA of 2.0 in the major is required for graduation.

Advising

Advising is available throughout the year in the Camille Kendall Academic Center, Suite 5119.  Students should check Testudo for their registration date and for any mandatory advising blocks. 

Undergraduate Research Experiences

Research experiences include assisting on faculty research projects, participating in special team research projects, and working with the department's Center for Political Communication and Civic Leadership and Center for Risk Communication Research.

Fieldwork Opportunities

To further enhance learning and career training, the department incorporates special hands-on classes such as Health Communication Campaigns, Visual Communication, Web Design, and PR Event Planning. The department also strongly promotes internship and service learning opportunities with local and state businesses and institutions, and encourages students' participation in student-run clubs.

Internships

The department's internship program helps communication majors gain professional experience, build a professional portfolio, and take the first steps toward a career.  The department structures its internship program around a course, COMM386: Experiential Learning, offered each school term. 

Student Societies and Professional Organizations

Social and academic activities are available to students by participating in the following student organizations:  the Undergraduate Communication Association, the Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society, and the Maryland chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America. 

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

The department offers the Chaim and Miriam Bentzlovitch Scholarship to students who exhibit academic excellence.  Each year the department distributes a call for applications through e-mail.

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