School of Communication
Minor Programs
Minor in Communication and the Entertainment Industry
This minor offers courses that examine the theory, social impact and economics of the music, film and television industries. Students will learn strategies for analyzing popular culture texts; management and public relations in the entertainment field; and social, cultural and political issues related to entertainment. USC provides a broad array of courses that equip students with tools to evaluate the marketing of entertainment and the cultural products of the film, television, theatre and music industries. This minor is intended to encourage students in a variety of majors to draw upon these properties in preparation for different careers in the entertainment industry.
Admission requirements are: a minimum 3.0 grade point average and completion of 32 units (sophomore standing). The 3.0 GPA is a minimum standard and does not guarantee admission.
| Required Core Communication Courses (Choose three of four) | units |
|---|
| COMM 300 | Foundations for the Study of Entertainment, Communication and Society | 4 |
| COMM 310 | Media and Society | 4 |
| COMM 384 | Interpreting Popular Culture | 4 |
| COMM 395 | Gender, Media and Communication | 4 |
| Electives | units |
|---|
| Choose 3-4 courses (12 units). One course must be in COMM; two must be in an outside area. |
| COMM 306 | The Communication Revolution and the Arts | 4 |
| COMM 339 | Communication Technology and Culture | 4 |
| COMM 340 | The Cultures of New Media | 4 |
| COMM 360 | The Rhetoric of Los Angeles | 4 |
| COMM 395 | Gender, Media and Communication | 4 |
| COMM 430 | Global Entertainment | 4 |
| COMM 431 | Global Strategy for the Communications Industry | 4 |
| COMM 432 | American Media and Entertainment Industries | 4 |
| COMM 455 | Advertising and Society | 4 |
| COMM 456 | Entertainment, Marketing and Culture | 4 |
| COMM 457 | Children and Media | 4 |
| COMM 458 | Race and Ethnicity in Entertainment and the Arts | 4 |
| COMM 465 | Gender in Media Industries and Products | 4 |
| COMM 471 | Communication Systems and Technologies | 4 |
| COMM 472 | Telecommunication Strategic Analysis | 4 |
| COMM 480 | Nonverbal Communication | 4 |
| COMM 498 | Ethical Issues in Entertainment and Communication | 4 |
| CTCS 409 | Censorship in Cinema | 4 |
| CTCS 464 | Film and/or Television Genres | 4 |
| CTPR 386 | Art and Industry of the Theatrical Film | 4 |
| CTPR 410 | The Movie Business: From Story Concept to Exhibition | 2 |
| CTPR 460 | Film Business Procedures and Distribution | 2 or 4 |
| CTPR 461 | TV Station Management | 2 |
| JOUR 452 | Public Relations in Entertainment | 4 |
| JOUR 459 | Fact and Fiction: From Journalism to the Docudrama | 4 |
| JOUR 466 | People of Color and the News Media | 4 |
| JOUR 467 | Gender and the News Media | 4 |
| MUIN 360 | Introduction to Music Law | 4 |
| MUIN 370 | Distribution of Recorded Music and Music Publishing | 4 |
| MUIN 385 | Radio in the Music Industry | 4 |
| MUIN 447 | Radio Management | 4 |
| THTR 487 | Promotion for the Performing Arts | 4 |
| Total units: 24 |
Minor in Interactive Media and the Culture of New Technologies
Virtually unheard of and unused by the general public less than two years ago, World Wide Web sites, electronic mail and many other interactive technologies are changing the way we learn, the way we work and the way we gather and exchange information in all areas of our lives. The 24-unit minor in interactive media and the culture of new technologies focuses on the wide-ranging social, cultural and economic ramifications of these new technologies and equips students with the basic technical skills necessary to excel in this age of the communication revolution.
Requirements for admission are: minimum 3.0 GPA and completion of a minimum of 32 units (sophomore standing). The 3.0 GPA is a minimum standard and does not guarantee admission.
| Required Core Communication Courses | units |
|---|
| COMM 202 | Introduction to Communication Technology | 4 |
| COMM 339 | Communication Technology and Culture | 4 |
| COMM 340 | The Cultures of New Media | 4 |
| Electives -- choose three from the following | units |
|---|
| COMM 310 | Media and Society | 4 |
| COMM 321 | Communication in the Virtual Group | 4 |
| COMM 345 | Social and Economic Implications of Communication Technologies | 4 |
| COMM 384 | Interpreting Popular Culture | 4 |
| COMM 395 | Gender, Media and Communication | 4 |
| COMM 422 | Legal Issues and New Media | 4 |
| COMM 431 | Global Strategy for the Communication Industry | 4 |
| COMM 465 | Gender in Media Industries and Products | 4 |
| COMM 471 | Communication Systems and Technologies | 4 |
| COMM 472 | Telecommunication Strategic Analysis | 4 |
| COMM 486 | Human and Technological Systems in Organizations | 4 |
| COMM 487 | Communication and Global Organizations | 4 |
| Total units: 24 |
Minor in Professional and Managerial Communication
The ability to succeed in today's workplace necessitates a growing number of communication skills. As today's increasingly global and highly competitive marketplace grows in complexity, the need to understand intercultural differences, the power of structure in the workplace and other issues such as dealing with interpersonal conflicts continues to increase. This 24-unit minor will provide students interested in the management of people, resources or products with these necessary tools. Requirements for admission are: minimum 3.0 GPA and completion of a minimum of 32 units (sophomore standing). The program consists of three core classes, COMM 320, COMM 375 and COMM 385, and three electives to be chosen from the following list.
| Required Core Communication Courses | units |
|---|
| COMM 320 | Small Group and Team Communication | 4 |
| COMM 375 | Business and Professional Communication | 4 |
| COMM 385 | Survey of Organizational Communication | 4 |
| Electives -- Choose three from the following: | units |
|---|
| COMM 302 | Persuasion | 4 |
| COMM 304 | Interpersonal Communication | 4 |
| COMM 308 | Communication and Conflict | 4 |
| COMM 315 | Health Communication | 4 |
| COMM 321 | Communication in the Virtual Group | 4 |
| COMM 322 | Argumentation and Advocacy | 4 |
| COMM 324 | Intercultural Communication | 4 |
| COMM 345 | Social and Economic Implications of Communication Technologies | 4 |
| COMM 388 | Ethics in Human Communication | 4 |
| COMM 431 | Global Strategy for the Communications Industry | 4 |
| COMM 486 | Human and Technological Systems in Organizations | 4 |
| COMM 487 | Communication and Global Organizations | 4 |
| Total units: 24 |
Minor in Communication Law and Media Policy
The rapid advance in information and communication technologies raises serious questions about the limits of free speech, censorship, and the impact of present and emerging communication policies on domestic and international industries. To address these developments, this 24-unit cross-departmental minor combines courses from communication, law, economics, political science and journalism. This minor not only enables students to understand what is occurring in the communication revolution, it also prepares them to participate in the movement as critics and advocates. Requirements for admission are: minimum 3.0 GPA and completion of a minimum of 32 units (sophomore standing). The program consists of three core classes; COMM 322, COMM 421 and JOUR 371, as well as three electives to be chosen from the following list.
| Required Core Communication Courses | units |
|---|
| COMM 322 | Argumentation and Advocacy | 4 |
| COMM 421 | Legal Communication | 4 |
| JOUR 371 | Censorship and the Law: From the Press to Cyberspace | 4 |
| Elective Courses | units |
|---|
| Choose three from the following. One must be in COMM; two must be in an outside area. |
| COMM 324 | Intercultural Communication | 4 |
| COMM 345 | Social and Economic Implications of Communication Technologies | 4 |
| COMM 370 | The Rhetoric of Ideas: Ideology and Propaganda | 4 |
| COMM 388 | Ethics in Human Communication | 4 |
| COMM 402 | Public Communication Campaigns | 4 |
| COMM 412 | Communication and Social Movements | 4 |
| COMM 422 | Legal Issues and New Media | 4 |
| COMM 489 | Campaign Communication | 4 |
| COMM 471 | Communication Systems and Technologies | 4 |
| ECON 330 | The Political Economy of Institutions | 4 |
| ECON 434 | Economic Analysis of Law | 4 |
| JOUR 373 | The Ethics of Television Journalism | 4 |
| JOUR 460 | Social Responsibility of the News Media | 4 |
| JOUR 480 | The News Media and World Affairs | 4 |
| LAW 200x | Law and Society | 4 |
| LAW 201x | Law and Politics: Electing a President | 4 |
| POSC 441 | Cultural Diversity and the Law | 4 |
| POSC 442 | The Politics of Human Differences: Diversity and Discrimination | 4 |
| Total units: 24 |
Minor in Global Communication
The rise of global firms and international changes that followed the end of the cold war raise new opportunities and challenges. This minor provides students from fields such as business, journalism, engineering and political science an understanding of the dynamic nature of global relations, communications and technology. The global communication minor consists of six 4-unit courses, three from International Relations and three from Communication.
| Required International Relations Course | units |
|---|
| IR 305 | Managing New Global Challenges | 4 |
| International Relations Regional Courses (select one) | units |
|---|
| IR 303 | Leadership and Diplomacy | 4 |
| IR 325 | Rich and Poor States in the World Political Economy
(departmental approval) | 4 |
| IR 326 | U.S. Foreign Economic Policy | 4 |
| IR 330 | Politics of the World Economy | 4 |
| IR 333 | China in International Affairs | 4 |
| IR 345 | Russian and Soviet Foreign Policy | 4 |
| IR 360 | International Relations of the Pacific Rim | 4 |
| IR 361 | The Asia-Pacific in International Relations | 4 |
| IR 362 | The International Relations of the Contemporary Middle East | 4 |
| IR 363 | Middle East Political Economy | 4 |
| IR 365 | U.S. Responses to Revolutionary Change in Latin America and the Caribbean | 4 |
| IR 367 | Africa in International Affairs | 4 |
| IR 368 | French Foreign Policy: 1945 to the Present
(offered in Paris only) | 4 |
| IR 369 | Contemporary European International Relations | 4 |
| IR 383 | Third World Negotiations | 4 |
| IR 384 | Introduction to Asian Security | 4 |
| IR 385 | European Foreign Policy and Security Issues | 4 |
| IR 403 | Transnational Diplomacy and Global Security | 4 |
| IR 405 | International Negotiation
(junior standing) | 4 |
| IR 439 | Political Economy of Russia and Eurasia | 4 |
| IR 442 | Japanese Foreign Policy | 4 |
| IR 468 | European Integration | 4 |
| IR Elective |
|---|
| Select one 300 or 400 level IR course |
| Required Communication Course | units |
|---|
| COMM 487 | Communication and Global Organizations | 4 |
| Communication electives (select two) | units |
|---|
| COMM 324 | Intercultural Communication | 4 |
| COMM 339 | Communication Technology and Culture | 4 |
| COMM 345 | Social and Economic Implications of Communication Technologies | 4 |
| COMM 385 | Survey of Organizational Communication | 4 |
| COMM 430 | Global Entertainment
(prerequisite: COMM 300) | 4 |
| COMM 431 | Global Strategy for the Communications Industry | 4 |
| COMM 471 | Communication Systems and Technologies | 4 |
| COMM 472 | Telecommunication Strategic Analysis | 4 |
| JOUR 371 | Censorship and the Law: From the Press to Cyberspace | 4 |
| Total units: 24 |
For more information or to apply to this minor, contact the School of International Relations, College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
Minor in Health Communication
This minor is designed to appeal to students with a wide range of interests, including those with a general interest in promoting healthy lifestyle practices through communication. These students will be prepared to seek future job opportunities from various areas including the managed care industry, hospitals, wellness programs, broadcast and cable companies, private and governmental agencies as well as other organizations looking for experts with demonstrated knowledge in health-related fields.
| Required courses (20 units) | units |
|---|
| COMM 302 | Persuasion | 4 |
| COMM 385 | Survey of Organizational Communication | 4 |
| HP 200 | Introduction to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention | 4 |
| HP 443 | Health Communication Strategies and Evaluation | 4 |
| Elective courses (select one) |
|---|
| COMM 304 | Interpersonal Communication | 4 |
| COMM 308 | Communication and Conflict | 4 |
| COMM 315 | Health Communication | 4 |
| COMM 324 | Intercultural Communication | 4 |
| COMM 375 | Business and Professional Communication | 4 |
| COMM 402 | Public Communication Campaigns | 4 |
| COMM 480 | Nonverbal Communication | 4 |
| COMM 486 | Human and Technological Systems in Organizations
(Recommended preparation: COMM 385) | 4 |
| HP 400 | Culture, Lifestyle and Health | 4 |
| HP 412 | Health Promotion and Prevention Policy | 4 |
| HP 420 | Gender and Minority Health Issues | 4 |
| HP 421 | Violence as a Public Health Issue | 4 |
| HP 422 | AIDS in Society | 4 |
| HP 430 | Nutrition and Exercise Epidemiology
(Prerequisite: HP 230) | 4 |
| HP 442 | Chronic Disease Epidemiology | 4 |
| HP 443 | Health Communication Strategies and Evaluation | 4 |
| Total units: 24 |
For more information or to apply to this minor, contact the Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine.
Minor in Cultural Studies
Cultural studies is an interdisciplinary field of study that examines a broad array of issues of culture, including popular culture, identity, subcultures, nationalism, global culture and ethnography. This minor is designed for students majoring in the humanities or in the professional schools who wish to complement their majors with courses that investigate the politics of culture and cultural negotiation. Students are required to have a minimum 3.0 GPA and the completion of 32 units for admission to the minor.
| Required courses | units |
|---|
| COMM 384 | Interpreting Popular Culture | 4 |
| CTCS 407 | African American Cinema, or |
| CTCS 411 | Film, Television and Cultural Studies | 4 |
| ENGL 392 | Visual and Popular Culture, or |
| ENGL 472 | Literature and Related Arts | 4 |
| Elective courses | units |
|---|
| Choose three courses from the following. Students must take two electives outside the department of their major. Students may not take any more than two electives from any one department or school. |
| ANTH 263 | Exploring Culture Through Film | 4 |
| AHIS 363 | Race, Gender, and Sexuality in Contemporary Art | 4 |
| AHIS 469 | Critical Approaches to Photography | 4 |
| CTCS 406 | History of American Television | 4 |
| CTCS 407 | African American Cinema | 4 |
| CTCS 478 | Culture, Technology and Communications | 4 |
| COMM 339 | Communication Technology and Culture | 4 |
| COMM 340 | The Cultures of New Media | 4 |
| COMM 360 | The Rhetoric of Los Angeles | 4 |
| COMM 370 | The Rhetoric of Ideas: Ideology and Propaganda | 4 |
| COMM 395 | Gender, Media and Communication | 4 |
| COLT 365 | Literature and Popular Culture | 4 |
| ENGL 473 | Literature and Society | 4 |
| ENGL 478 | Sexual/Textual Diversity | 4 |
| FA 350 | Art Theory and Criticism | 4 |
| FREN 320 | French Cinema and French Society: 1900 to the Present | 4 |
| GEOG 325 | Culture and Place | 4 |
| HIST 225 | Film, Power and American Society | 4 |
| HIST 255 | American Popular Culture | 4 |
| PAS 400 | Contemporary Public Art | 4 |
| SOCI 342 | Race Relations | 4 |
| Total units: 24 |
For more information or to apply to this minor, contact the Department of English, College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
Interdisciplinary Law and Society Minor
See the Department of Political Science, Interdisciplinary Law and Society Minor.
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