The Department of Communication Studies prepares competent and ethical communicators for meaningful participation in diverse local and global communities. The B.A. and M.A. programs focus on four primary areas or cornerstones: democracy, diversity, technology, and globalization. Democracy affirms the balance of individual freedom and socio-political consensus shaped through dialogue, argument, and persuasion between individuals and groups. Diversity explores the variety and complexity of communication efforts to shape beliefs, values, and perceptions in different communities and cultures. Technology interrogates the implications of human communication in a mediated world. Globalization recognizes the interconnectedness, integration, fragmentation, and conflict within human societies and cultures in global contexts. Our undergraduate and graduate degree programs prepare alumni for a wide range of careers in areas such as education, sales, marketing, public relations, human resource development, law, politics, and community service.

Students requesting departmental honors in Communication Studies will be evaluated against the following criteria: (1) a minimum GPA of 3.5 in all four unit upper division courses in the major (Foundations, Inquiry, Practice Courses, 101C and 199C); (2) have at least a 3.0 overall GPA; (3) satisfactorily complete one of the department's four-unit graduate seminars; and (4) participate in a public honors colloquium to present a summary of the work produced in the selected graduate seminar. Contact the department office for details.