UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS BOSTON
Communication Studies
American Studies

Minor in Communication Studies

Faculty

Sheree Dukes Conrad, Director
Ellen Hume, Senior Research Fellow
Eileen McMahon, Lecturer
Richard Raben, Lecturer
On leave: Mark A. Schlesinger, Associate Professor

Effective September 1, 2003, the Minor in Communication Studies replaced the Liberal Arts Certificate Program in Communication. Students currently enrolled in the Certificate Program may complete their studies in that program, or can transfer into the Minor. (To do the latter, complete a "Declaration or Change of Major, Minor, Program of Study, or Concentration" form and have it signed by the Program Director or delegate.)

Rationale and Overview

The Minor in Communication Studies, housed in American Studies, is a six-course program offering students the opportunity to build their understanding and skills in several aspect of the Communication field, including the history and theory of communication and mass media, research issues, information technology's relationship to human communication, journalism, writing in a variety of media, graphic arts and communication, politics and communication, and many more. The program is suitable for students who may pursue careers related to Communication and Media, but it also is appropriate for students who are interested in the issues as citizens and as future professionals in other fields.

Given Communication's great breadth, the program offers students options within certain categories (see the table on page 2). At the same time, all students in the program will be introduced to basic theory in Communication, and will undertake research in the field. Internships are also available on an optional basis.

Specific Requirements

The table on page 2 spells out the program's curricular requirements.

Program Segment	Required Courses	Elective Courses
Introduction	COMSTU 100 or 200: Introduction to Communication	N/A
Communication in Context	Two from the following:	AMST 101, Popular Culture in America AMST 215, America on Film AMST L355, Black Popular Culture COMSTU 299 or 300, Info. Tech. & Human Communication ENGL L341 / WOST L341, Women's Image in Film POLSCI 365, Politics of Communication WOST 220, Women and the Media
Communication in Context	One from the following:	AMST 310, Television in American Life AMST L349 / HIST L349, Cold War: Rise and Fall ART 265, Film Analysis COMSTU 250, Analyzing Media COMSTU 484, Communication Studies Internship ENGL 340, Literature and the Media ENGL 348, Nature of Literacy POLSCI 367, Politics by Internet
Communication Techniques	One from:	ART 295, Introduction to Video ART 297, Introduction to Video Imaging ART 377, Introduction to Multimedia COMSTU 210, Using Internet Communications ENGL 307, Writing for Print Media THRART 235, Introduction to Directing 1 THRART 236, Introduction to Directing 1 THRART 261, Playwriting 1
Capstone	One from:	COMSTU 480, Seminar AMST 400-level Capstone Seminar
At least 3 courses must be in Communication Studies (COMSTU) At least 3 courses must be at the 300 level or above. *Students can petition to substitute up to two related courses in their major for courses listed in Contexts and Techniques.

Communication Minor Schematic

This list does not include appropriate courses in other departments requiring prerequisites. For example, Art 265, Film Analysis, would be an excellent choice for students who qualify. We shall work with the departments to establish a list of acceptable courses that are commonly available to majors but difficult for nonmajors to access. The list also omits courses that would be appropriate but are infrequently offered.

For Further Information: