The Major

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Requirements
To earn a 30-credit major in communication, students follow a program of study designed to develop breadth and depth of knowledge about human communication processes in a variety of contexts. The communication major consists of 10 three-credit courses, some specified by the department, others selected from approved lists by students based upon their own interests and objectives. Specifically, all communication majors complete a set of five (three-credit) required courses known as the communication core. In addition, with the aid of the communication faculty, students select one of three academic concentrations for in-depth study: organizational communication, media studies, or communication and the human condition. Communication majors are strongly encouraged to continue their foreign language beyond the intermediate level, and to study abroad. The requirements of the communication core and the areas of concentrated study are detailed below.

Communication Core - 15 credits required for ALL Communication majors:
(Courses in parentheses are required or suggested as prerequisites)

CO 100: Human Communication Theories
CO 101: Argument and Advocacy
CO 130: Media and Society
CO 200: Interpersonal Communication Theories (CO 100)
CO 309: Research Projects in Communication: The Capstone (Seniors only)

Notes:

CO 100 and CO 101 are the foundational courses in the Communication major. Students should plan to take both CO 100 and CO 101 during the same semester in the freshman or sophomore year of studies. CO 100 and CO 101 are the prerequisites to all 200-level and 300-level Communication courses.

Students should plan to enroll in CO 130 and CO 200 at any point in their studies after successful completion of the foundational courses. CO 130 and CO 200 need not be taken during the same semester, though should be taken during the junior year at the latest.

Students should select their "Area of Concentrated Study" (Organizational Communication, Media Studies, or Communication & the Human Condition) no later than one semester after successful completion of CO 100 and CO 101. Students will then be able to create academic programs that best suit their intellectual interests and career objectives.

Students must take CO 309 - the required capstone course-during their senior year of studies.

Areas of Concentrated Study - Select ONE to complete major requirements:
Students complete at least five three-credit courses in one of these three "areas of concentrated study." There are two required courses (6 credits) within each "area," students then select the remaining three courses (9 credits) in consultation with their Communication faculty advisor, at least one of which must be a CO course. Appropriate courses can be drawn from Communication courses (electives or those required in other areas of concentration), as well as from various departments and programs at Fairfield University. A non-exhaustive list of relevant courses are listed in Appendix 2 of the handbook; students may also propose courses to their advisor and the department chair that they would like to count as an elective in the major.

Area I - Organizational Communication
(at least 15 credits)

or

Area II - Media Studies

(at least 15 credits)

or

Area III - Communication & the Human Condition

(at least 15 credits)

Notes:

None of the required courses within an "area of concentrated study" will double-count for credit in the University's General Education Core Curriculum. The exception is the core diversity requirement, which can be taken in conjunction with any course (core, major, minor, or elective).

Students should recognize that their elective courses may fulfill some requirements for related minors, and they should consider completing one of these. Students must realize that the Communication Department cannot control the frequency with which other departments within the University offer particular courses, including those considered related to the three areas of concentration in the communication major.

To assist planning of your academic program, the regular rotation of required courses can be found in course offerings.

Click here for a sample academic plan.

Procedures for Independent Study and Internships

CO 396-397: Independent Study
The Department of Communication also offers credit for independent study, CO 396 (fall) and CO 397 (spring), but neither course will satisfy major requirements. That is, CO 396/397: Independent Study is an extra Communication course for students interested in more intensive research of a topic or preparation of a conference paper, and does not count as one of the 10 courses required for completion of the major.

Copies of the departmental policy on independent study are available from Communication faculty advisors. To engage in Independent Study in Communication, students must be juniors or seniors who have completed at least 6 courses in the Department of Communication.

To arrange an Independent Study, the student must pre-arrange with a faculty advisor who will oversee the project and conduct final evaluation of student work. Independent Study Agreement Forms are available in the College of Arts and Sciences.

CO 398/399: Communication Internship
The Department of Communication sponsors an active internship program for qualified juniors and seniors majoring in Communication. Students may earn no more than six (6) internship credits total at Fairfield University. CO 398 (fall) and CO 399 (spring) are extra Communication courses; neither course will satisfy major requirements in any of the "Areas of Concentrated Study" nor count as one of the 10 courses required for completion of the major.

To earn credit for a Communication Internship, students must be juniors or seniors with at least a 3.0 overall GPA and who have completed at least 5 courses in the Department of Communication.

Interested students must complete the departmental application form and get departmental approval before registering for CO 398/399. Please check our internship program's departmental page for complete instructions and detailed information.