Undergraduate Degrees

The School of Communication offers programs of study leading to a B.A. degree and minors in Communication and the Entertainment Industry, Interactive Media and the Culture of New Technologies, Global Communication, Professional and Managerial Communication, and Communication Law and Media Policy. Many communication majors pursue, with the school's encouragement, a double major with another discipline or select a minor area to complement the major. Through careful planning, students can easily complete these options within four years.

Students should consult with the undergraduate academic advisor at least once each semester to get school course clearance and to explore course selections within the major, the minor, general education offerings and electives.

Bachelor of Arts in Communication

General Education Requirements

The university’s general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to consider yourself (and to be considered by other people) a generally well-educated person. This new program requires six courses in different categories, plus writing, foreign language and diversity requirements.

All students who (1) enter the School of Communication as freshmen in the summer of 1997 or later; or (2) begin college elsewhere in the summer of 1997 or later; or (3) began college earlier but transfer to USC in the summer of 2000 or later, must satisfy the requirements of the new general education program. Other students whose schedules permit are encouraged to follow the new program as well. However, continuing and transfer students who began college full-time before summer 1997 and enter USC before summer 2000 may elect to satisfy a "transitional" plan instead.

Required courses		Units
COMM 200	Communication as a Social Science	4
COMM 201	Communication as a Liberal Art	4
and three of the following four:
COMM 102	Human Communication Principles and Practices	4
COMM 202	Introduction to Communication Technology	4
COMM 301L	Empirical Research in Communication	4
COMM 322	Argumentation and Advocacy	4

Admission to the School of Communication is competitive. Most recently, incoming freshmen have had an average GPA of a 3.6 with a combined SAT score over 1220, with an average of 619 on the verbal portion. Transfer students have averaged over a 3.5 GPA.

Students who wish to declare communication as their major may apply in three ways: (1) entering freshmen must meet the criteria set by the School of Communication for automatic admission; (2) current USC students need to have 32 units completed with a minimum GPA of 3.0; (3) transfer students need a minimum 3.0 GPA to apply. Admission will be determined on a case by case basis.

Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 overall GPA in their upper division course work. No more than eight upper division elective units may be taken prior to successfully completing COMM 200 and COMM 201. Further, no more than 16 upper division elective units may be taken prior to completion of the entire core. The School of Communication is committed to ensuring that all declared communication majors follow the necessary requirements. Mandatory advisement will be required of all communication majors each semester prior to enrollment for the following semester.

Qualified nonmajors (generally, students with junior/senior status, a minimum 3.0 grade point average and a declared major elsewhere at the university) with appropriate academic preparation may be permitted to enroll in communication electives without fulfilling prerequisite requirements. Application for a waiver should be made to the school’s undergraduate advisor.

By design, many courses in the curriculum tend to cluster into different areas of study. These areas represent important foci in the communication discipline and are areas in which the school’s faculty possess special expertise. Three such areas of study are described below. They are not mutually exclusive, nor do they exhaust the curriculum; rather, they represent partially overlapping areas of unusual depth. Students may specialize in one of these areas or may design individual programs of study by choosing other combinations of electives that best meet their needs and career objectives.

Media, Law and Politics Option

This option is most attractive to students interested in careers in government and public service, the law, and political and legal consulting, as well as advanced graduate study. Students examine communication processes in the public sphere and learn how to participate competently in these practices. Courses emphasize the role of persuasion in the political and legal processes; the techniques used by individuals, institutions and social movements to influence public affairs; the history, design, implementation and evaluation of political campaigns; the role of public opinion; ethical issues in public communication, including the influence of media in the political and justice systems, the role of the First Amendment and the changing nature of freedom of expression in a mass-mediated environment, and problems of public participation.

Relevant courses include:

COMM 302	Persuasion
COMM 310	Media and Society
COMM 330	Rhetoric in Classical Culture
COMM 335	Rhetoric in Contemporary Culture
COMM 370	The Rhetoric of Ideas: Ideology and Propaganda
COMM 388	Ethics in Human Communication
COMM 402	Public Communication Campaigns
COMM 411	Communication Criticism
COMM 412	Communication and Social Movements
COMM 421	Legal Communication
COMM 489	Campaign Communication
JOUR 462	Law of Mass Communication

Organizational and Interpersonal Communication Option

Organizational and Interpersonal Communication Option This option is most attractive to students interested in careers in business, management, human resources and development, corporate communications, and consulting, as well as advanced graduate study. Courses emphasize: interpersonal communication processes that affect and reflect personality, motives, beliefs, attitudes and values; communication’s role in the development, maintenance and disintegration of social, family and intimate relationships; managing interpersonal conflict; communication between superiors and subordinates and in teams; communication’s role in determining organizational culture; managing information in organizations; and the role of information technology in processes of globalization.

Relevant courses include:

COMM 304	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 308	Communication and Conflict
COMM 315	Health Communication
COMM 320	Small Group and Team Communication
COMM 321	Communication in the Virtual Group
COMM 345	Social and Economic Implications of Communication Technologies
COMM 375	Applied Professional Communication
COMM 385	Survey of Organizational Communication
COMM 480	Nonverbal Communication
COMM 486	Human and Technological Systems in Organizations
COMM 487	Communication and Global Organizations

Communication and Culture Option

This option will be attractive to a broad range of students whose careers have an international or multicultural dimension, from those interested in foreign service, travel and consulting to those seeking careers in entertainment and the arts. In addition, students taking this option will be well prepared for advanced graduate study. Courses emphasize: communication as an essential component of culture and cultural production; cultural forces that shape communication practices; cultural barriers to communication; gender and diversity issues in human and mass communication and cultural production; media representations of race, ethnicity and gender; the production of meaning in diverse modes such as art, religion, popular culture and technology; and cultural criticism.

Relevant courses include:

COMM 304	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 308	Communication and Conflict
COMM 315	Health Communication
COMM 320	Small Group and Team Communication
COMM 321	Communication in the Virtual Group
COMM 345	Social and Economic Implications of Communication Technologies
COMM 375	Applied Professional Communication
COMM 385	Survey of Organizational Communication
COMM 480	Nonverbal Communication
COMM 486	Human and Technological Systems in Organizations
COMM 487	Communication and Global Organizations

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).

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, WWW 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).

Required Core Communication Courses
COMM 310	Media and Society	4
COMM 384	Interpreting Popular Culture	4
COMM 395	Gender, Media and Communication	4
Electives
Choose 3-4 courses (total of 12 units). One course must be in COMM; two must be in an outside area
COMM 339	Communication Technology and Culture	4
COMM 340	The Cultures of New Media	4
COMM 360	The Rhetoric of Los Angeles	4
COMM 432	The American Broadcast Enterprise	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
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	2
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 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. Students are required to complete IR 305 Managing New Global Challenges and two additional IR upper division courses, at least one of which must be a course which focuses on a specific region, and COMM 487 Communication and Global Organizations and two elective courses relevant to global communication.

Required Core Communication Courses
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)
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 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. 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 International Relations Course
IR 305	Managing New Global Challenges	4
International Relations Regional Courses (select one)
IR 345	Russian and Soviet Foreign Policy	4
IR 360	International Relations of the Pacific Rim	4
IR 361	Southeast and South Asia in International Relations	4
IR 362	The International Relations of the Contemporary Middle East	4
IR 363	Middle East Political Economy	4
IR 364	International Relations of the Middle East: 1914-1950	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	4
IR 369	Contemporary European 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 439	Political Economy of Russia and Eurasia	4
IR 442	Japanese Foreign Policy	4
IR 467	Problems in African International Politics	4
IR 468	European Integration	4
IR Elective
select one from IR 302 - IR 499
Required Communications Course
COMM 487	Communication and Global Organizations	4
two of the following electives
COMM 324	Intercultural Communication	4
COMM 339	Communication Technology and Culture	4
COMM 345	Social and Economic Implications of Communication Technologies	4
COMM 365	Censorship and the Law: From the Press to Cyberspace	4
COMM 385	Survey of Organizational Communication	4
COMM 431	Global Strategy for the Communications Industry	4
COMM 471	Communication Systems and Technologies	4
COMM 472	Telecommunication Strategic Analysis	4

Core Courses:
COMM 320	Small Group and Team Communication	4
COMM 375	Applied Professional Communication	4
COMM 385	Survey of Organizational Communication	4

Electives
Choose any three from the following:
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. 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.

Elective Courses
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 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 201	Law and Politics: Electing a President	4
POSC 441	Cultural Diversity and the Law	4
POSC 442	Politics of Human Differences; Diversity and Discrimination	4

Total units: 24.

Debate Squad

USC’s Debate Squad provides an opportunity for outstanding students (3.0 GPA), both majors and nonmajors, to compete in an intensive intercollegiate laboratory setting. Whatever the student’s intended career, the skills he or she develops in research, critical thinking and oral advocacy will be invaluable. The team has an excellent record in both team policy debate and individual speaking events and has traveled widely both nationally and abroad.

Honors Program

The school offers an honors program for exceptional students, including honors sections of regular classes, special seminars reserved only for honors students (COMM 495), an internship (COMM 496x) and an honors thesis (COMM 497x). To qualify, students must maintain a 3.5 GPA both overall and in the COMM major after completing the core courses (COMM 200, 201 and any three of: COMM 102, 202, 301L and 322). Contact the undergraduate advisor for further information and application forms.

Honor Society

Lambda Pi Eta is a national communication/journalism honor society that is open to declared majors who have completed at least 32 units (minimum 3.0 GPA), 12 of which are in the major (minimum 3.25 GPA).

Interdisciplinary Law and Society Minor

See the Department of Political Science.