OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2021-22
[Archived Catalog]
Communication Studies Major (B.S.C. in Communication Studies) [offered through Honors Tutorial College] |
Major Code BC1918
Honors Tutorial College
35 Park Place
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.2723
Fax: 740.593.9521
honors.college@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/honors
Roger Aden, director of studies/contact person
aden@ohio.edu
Program Overview
Communication studies draws from the liberal arts tradition and a variety of professional contexts to explore human communication in messages, relationships, social processes, nd culture. The honors tutorial program builds upon the strengths of the School of Communication Studies (COMS) in three main areas:
- Public advocacy (including political communication and argumentation).
- Relational and organizational communication (including health and environmental communication as well as family, group, and intercultural interactions).
- Rhetorical criticism (including verbal, audio-visual, digital, and physical environments).
The HTC program in communication studies aims to provide the student with a comprehensive understanding of communication theory along with a specialization in a context or theme and relevant research methods. The first two years of the program include core classes taken with other COMS majors, optional tutorials in other core classes, and customized tutorials developed by the student in consultation with the director of studies. The third and fourth years focus on development of research methods, advanced topics, the honors thesis, and preparation for a career or graduate education. Because intercultural communication is increasingly important in today’s world, students are encouraged to study abroad and learn a second language during their undergraduate years. Students will receive a degree of Bachelor of Science in Communication from the Honors Tutorial College.
Tutorials
Each semester the student will complete a tutorial of at least 4 hours on a topic chosen in consultation with and approved by the director of studies and the faculty tutor. In the fall semester of the first year, the student will complete an introductory tutorial, which may cover such topics as interpersonal relationships, communication contexts (small groups, health, public advocacy), scholarly writing, and research traditions. Every tutorial will cover its theme in depth and will conclude with a significant product appropriate to the topic. Tutorials are geared to each student’s specific interests and career plans. Students who choose to study abroad may have one or more of the above required courses and/or tutorials waived by the director of studies.
Related Area
Every COMS HTC student is required to develop a secondary area of expertise: a coherent sequence of courses leading to a minor or certificate in another department or program OR expertise on a theme developed through courses from several departments (21 credits minimum, at least 12 at the 3,000-level or above, chosen in consultation with the director of studies).
Thesis
Each student is required to write a thesis on a topic in communication studies developed in consultation with and approved by the director of studies. Each student publicly presents a summary of the completed thesis to the COMS HTC community. Tutorials during the third year prepare the student to develop a topic and appropriate research methods. Tutorials during the fourth year focus on thesis research and writing.
Evaluation
The student will participate each semester in a tutorial of at least 4 credit hours on a topic chosen in consultation with and approved by the director of studies and the faculty tutor. The student should expect to write a substantial paper in each tutorial. The student and tutor will often determine together what kind(s) of writing or other activity will constitute an appropriate synthesis of the student’s tutorial work; the faculty member will always advise the student how grades on written and other assignments will relate to the grade filed for the tutorial as a whole.
Admissions Information
Freshman/First-Year Admission
Applicants are selected by the director of studies of the communication studies tutorial program and the Honors Tutorial College on the basis of superior academic ability and the potential for self-motivated study and research. Applicants typically are required to submit additional essays, and an interview with the director of studies is required for admission. More information, including materials and deadlines, is available at www.ohio.edu/honors/tutorial-programs/apply .
Change of Program Policy
First-year students at Ohio University may apply to transfer into the communication studies tutorial program and the Honors Tutorial College. These students must meet the same entrance requirements as entering freshmen.
External Transfer Admission
First-year students at another institution may also apply to transfer into the communication studies tutorial program and the Honors Tutorial College. These students must meet the same entrance requirements as entering freshmen.
Opportunities Upon Graduation
Following graduation, about half of COMS HTC graduates attend law school or enter other graduate programs, another 30% begin careers in political and other non-profit organizations (e.g., Teach for America), and 20% begin careers in business and media organizations.
Requirements
University English Composition Requirement
Complete one Written Communication course (ENG 1510) and one Advanced Writing course (FAW).
HTC Seminar
First-year students must complete the following course:
- HC 2500 - Honors Seminar Credit Hours: 3
Tutorials
Complete a minimum of 32 hours in the following tutorials with a minimum of 4 hours per tutorial:
- COMS 2970T - Communication Studies Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 14
- COMS 2971T - Communication Studies Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 14
- COMS 2980T - Communication Studies Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 14
- COMS 2981T - Communication Studies Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 14
- COMS 3970T - Communication Studies Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 14
- COMS 3980T - Communication Studies Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 14
Senior Honors Thesis
Complete the following tutorials during the final year of study focused on the research and writing of a director of studies approved thesis:
- COMS 4970T - Communication Studies Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 14
- COMS 4980T - Communication Studies Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 14
HTC Thesis Requirement
Approval of a completed thesis or professional project by the advisor, director of studies, and Dean of the College.
Complete one of the following courses:
- COMS 3610 - Advanced Argument and Debate Credit Hours: 3
- COMS 4030 - Advanced Presentations Credit Hours: 3
- COMS 4510 - Instructional Training and Development in Communication Credit Hours: 3
Complete one of the following courses:
- COMS 1100 - Communication Among Cultures Credit Hours: 3
- COMS 4100 - Cross-Cultural Communication Credit Hours: 3
Complete one of the following courses:
- COMS 1030 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking Credit Hours: 3
- COMS 1170 - Beginning Forensics Credit Hours: 1 - 3
Research Methods
Complete 3 or 4 hours from one of the following courses or tutorials:
- COMS 2970T - Communication Studies Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 14
- COMS 2971T - Communication Studies Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 14
- COMS 2980T - Communication Studies Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 14
- COMS 2981T - Communication Studies Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 14
- COMS 3420 - Qualitative Inquiry in Communication Credit Hours: 3
- COMS 3520 - Quantitative Inquiry in Communication Credit Hours: 3
- COMS 3620 - Rhetorical Inquiry and Criticism Credit Hours: 3
- COMS 3970T - Communication Studies Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 14
Communication Theory
Complete 3 or 4 hours from one of the following courses or tutorials:
- COMS 2350 - Introduction to Communication Theory Credit Hours: 3
- COMS 2970T - Communication Studies Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 14
- COMS 2971T - Communication Studies Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 14
- COMS 2980T - Communication Studies Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 14
- COMS 2981T - Communication Studies Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 14
- COMS 3970T - Communication Studies Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 14
- COMS 3980T - Communication Studies Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 14