Design & Maintenance: Matt Duncan
chaospiral@niu.edu
Published: Dept. of Communication, NIU
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Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate, you must fulfill lines 1-8 (according to 2003-2004 NIU Undergraduate Catalog).

1. Required courses:
   • COMS 252 : Introduction to Communication Studies (3)
   • *COMS 400 : Rhetorical Theory and Criticism (3)
   • *COMS 404 : Communication Theories (3)
   • COMS 407 : Practicum (1) The practicum can be filled in several ways (as a teaching assistant, research assistant, lab assistant, etc.). You can find a list of 407 opportunities in the racks outside Watson 209. You must fill out a permit for this requirement, available from Watson 209.
2. Choose one of the following courses:
   • * COMS 200 : Public Speaking (3)
   • *COMS 300 : Speech Writing (3)
   • COMS 305 : Argumentation and Debate (3)
   • *COMS 309 : Performance in Speech Communication (3)
   • *COMS 361 : Business and Professional Communication (3)
3. Choose one of the following courses:
   • COMS 401 : Contemporary Speakers and Speeches (3)
   • COMS 419 : Political Communication in America (3)
   • ** COMS 496R : Special Topics in Rhetoric (3)
4. Choose one of the following courses:
   • COMS 403 : Freedom of Speech and Communication Ethics (3)
   • COMS 455 : Media Law and Ethics (3)
   • *JOUR 480 : Journalism Law and Regulation (3)
5. Choose one of the following courses:
   • *COMS 495A : Capstone Project: Senior Thesis (1)
   • *COMS 495B : Capstone Project: Senior Portfolio (1)
6. One 200 level or above COMS elective not taken in other sequences (3).
7. Choose two of the following courses (not taken above):
   • *COMS 200 : Public Speaking (3)
   • COMS 201 : Group Discussion (3)
   • COMS 203 : Interpersonal Communication (3)
   • *COMS 300 : Speech Writing (3)
   • COMS 305 : Argumentation and Debate (3)
   • *COMS 309 : Performance in Speech Communication (3)
   • COMS 355 : Media Writing (3)
   • COMS 357 : Introduction to Studio Production (3)
   • *COMS 361 : Business and Professional Communication (3)
   • *JOUR 200A or B : Basic News Writing (3)
   • *JOUR 312 : Graphics of Communications (3)
8. Choose three of the following courses (not taken above):
   • COMS 304 : Persuasion (3)
   • COMS 362 : Intercultural Communication (3)
   • COMS 401 : Contemporary Speakers and Speeches (3)
   • COMS 402 : Group Communication (3)
   • COMS 405 : Advanced Interpersonal Communication (3)
   • COMS 410 : Communication and Gender (3)
   • COMS 419 : Political Communication in America (3)
   • COMS 460 : Broadcasting Theory and Criticism (3)
   • COMS 462 : Film Theory and Criticism (3)
   • COMS 465 : Computer-Mediated Communication (3)
   • COMS 480 : Communication and Conflict Management (3)
   • * COMS 491 : Methods of Research in Communication (3)
   • ** COMS 496C : Special Topics in Communication Theory (3)
   • ** COMS 496M : Special Topics in Media Studies (3)
   • ** COMS 496R : Special Topics in Rhetoric (3)
   • * JOUR 483 : Mass Media in Modern Society (3)

* Course requires a prerequisite. See undergraduate catalog for details.

** Special Topics in Rhetoric, Media and Communication Theory may each be repeated to a maximum of 6 semester hours when topics vary.
Note: All transfer evaluations, substitutions, waivers, etc., will be processed in the undergraduate director’s office. (Course permit details will be available during the beginning of each term.)

Also note: Courses cannot count twice in double major, double emphasis or major/minor combinations (e.g., if JOUR 480 is in a journalism minor, you must have a different course – not COMS 403 or COMS 455, just a COMS elective – in your communication major).

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