University of Southern Maine

 

One of USM’s most popular undergraduate degree programs, Communication, is now being offered in an online/blended format allowing you to begin (or even come back and finish) your undergraduate degree while spending at least half as much time on campus! The B.A. in Communication degree program takes a broad view of communication, including the examination of face-to-face contexts as well as mediated ones, and it embraces a liberal arts philosophy, with an emphasis on critical thinking rather than vocational training.

Communication majors take two senior seminars. One seminar is chosen from a list of topics and the other is a capstone seminar designed to be a culmination of their undergraduate work and as a transition to graduate studies.

The study of communication is ultimately the study of assigning meaning to words and things. The more we understand how we interpret meaning in our experiences, the more likely we are to develop into autonomous and significant communicators.

 

 

Major Requirements (36 credit hours of the 120 total credit hours necessary to graduate)

1. Common Core (9 credit hours)
CMS 102J: Introduction to Communication
CMS 103: Introduction to Media Studies
CMS 200: Research Methods in Communication

2. Communication Theory (9 credit hours - select three)
CMS 255: Business and Professional Communication

CMS 265: Intrapersonal Communication
CMS 272: Persuasion

CMS 275: Theories of Language
CMS 330: Theories of Interpersonal Communication

CMS 332: Communication in the Family

CMS 345: Small Group Communication

CMS 375: Meaning and Communication

CMS 385: Intergenerational Communication and the Internet
CMS 390: Theories of Organizational Communication

3. Media Theory (6 credit hours – select two)
CMS 284: Film Appreciation

CMS 294: Visual Communication

CMS 303: Media Effects

CMS 310: Topics in Media Criticism II
CMS 350: The Internet in Society

CMS 355: Consumer Culture

CMS 370: Media and Social Change
CMS 374: Media Criticism and Aesthetics

CMS 380: Film Genres

CMS 384: Film and Cultural Studies

CMS 394: Theories of Film

4. Senior Experience (6 credit hours)

Senior Seminar (3 Credit hours – select one)
CMS 420: Communication and Cognition
CMS 432: Topics in Interpersonal Communication

CMS 450: Computer-Mediated Communication

CMS 475: Discursive Practices

CMS 484: Topics in Film

CMS 485: Sex-Related Differences in Communication

CMS 486: Women in Film

CMS 490: Theories of Mass Communication

Capstone Senior Seminar (3 credits)
CMS 495: Theories of Communication

5. Electives (6 credit hours)
Communication majors may select any two courses offered by the department as electives as long as they have met the prerequisites.  The exceptions are internships and independent studies.  These count toward the total number of credits needed for a Bachelor of Arts Degree, but not as electives in the major.

Media Studies courses may also be used as electives for this major. Media Studies courses offered online include:
CMS 190: Introduction to Media Production and Design
CMS 274W: Writing for the Media
CMS 284: Film Appreciation
CMS 299: Health Communication or Gender Communication

 

= Course is offered in either an online or blended format

Tuition&Fees | Financial Aid | Class Search | Transfer Students | Core Requirements (PDF)

If you would like more info about the BA in Communication Blended Program, visit the Communication and Media Studies Department Website.

If you would like information about applying for this program, or general information about taking online/blended courses at USM, please contact one of our Online Student Services Staff members at online@usm.maine.edu or at 207-780-5921.