Communication Studies
Why pursue a communication studies degree at North Central College?
Communication professionals are successful in hundreds of career paths. Typically, their skills are emphasized in roles like social and digital media, public relations, marketing, advertising, human resources, writing, politics, fundraising, sales and more. Majoring in Communication Studies provides you with the skills to understand how we communicate. This program is designed to provide you with excellent oral and written communication skills.
At North Central College you will learn how to analyze verbal messages in one-on-one and group settings. As an expert communicator, you can persuade, dissuade and interpret flawlessly. With plentiful career opportunities, a Communication Studies major is sure to provide the skills needed to impress any employer.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN
- Making speeches and presentations, running meetings and trainings and communicating with people in a variety of professional contexts.
- Developing persuasive storylines for products and services
- Producing messaging campaigns and building brand awareness
then a degree in COMMUNICATION STUDIES might be for you.
Why study communication at North Central College?
In the Classroom
Coursework topics:
- Argumentation and Debate
- Business and Professional Communication
- Communication Theory and Research
- Freedom of Expression
- Global Media in a Digital Age
- Group Interaction
- Intercultural Communication
- Interpersonal Communication
- Persuasion Theory
- Public Relations
- Public Speaking
- Rhetoric and Public Discourse
Beyond the Classroom
As a Communication Studies major, you can:
- Apply for internships and jobs through robust faculty and alumni networks or the Center for Career and Professional Development.
- Get published in the award-winning Chronicle news magazine and ncclinked.com news website.
- Go LIVE on the air at the student-run radio station WONC, named the best college radio station in the country in 2015.
- Study abroad to complement your degree.
- Conduct research and present your findings at professional conferences or at North Central’s own Rall Symposium for Undergraduate Research.
- Join PRSSA, the public relations club, which works on real-world client-based projects.
- Receive individualized coaching with our nationally ranked speech and debate team.
- Achieve high honors at regional and national speech competitions.
- Join the National Communication Association’s official honor society Lambda Pi Eta.
Communication Studies, B.A.
Communication studies focuses on the intersection of theory and practice in a variety of contexts. Students are led to understand, to use, and to critique communication as it is presently practiced in society and to develop critical thinking regarding communication strategies and analysis.
For additional programs and courses in this department, see Communication and Media Studies.
Core Courses
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COMM 100 - Introduction to Public Speaking
COMM 100 - Introduction to Public Speaking
4.00 credit hours
An introductory course examining fundamental public speaking skills, including the preparation, presentation and evaluation of informative and persuasive speeches. Particular focus on audience awareness and the organization of an oral message for comprehension. This course may not be taken after completing
-
COMM 185 - Global Media in a Digital Age
COMM 185 - Global Media in a Digital Age
4.00 credit hours
A survey of the development, structure, economics and regulation of the major media with a special emphasis on digital communication and the rise of the internet. Though the primary focus of the course is on media in U.S., some time and attention is devoted to global media industries. The sociological and cultural impact of media on society and civic life will be a central theme throughout the course.
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COMM 285 - Argumentation and Debate
COMM 285 - Argumentation and Debate
4.00 credit hours
An intermediate course that addresses both theory and practice in argumentation. Through preparation and participation in debates, students learn the basic principles of debate, emphasizing the development of research, critical thinking and oral presentation skills.
-
COMM 287 - Advanced Public Speaking
COMM 287 - Advanced Public Speaking
4.00 credit hours
Building upon the fundamentals learned in
-
COMM 301 - Rhetoric and Public Discourse
COMM 301 - Rhetoric and Public Discourse
4.00 credit hours
Students develop an understanding of rhetorical communication in the public sphere. The course explores historical and contemporary rhetorical theory, which students use to critique the rhetoric of current public issues. In addition to developing an understanding of the integral role rhetoric plays in civic life, students develop their abilities to analyze, critique and contribute to public discourse.
-
COMM 317 - Intercultural Communication
COMM 317 - Intercultural Communication
4.00 credit hours
A study of the basic components involved in intercultural communication. Topics considered include, but are not limited to: cultural biases, cultural determinants of experiences and backgrounds, social perception, verbal interaction, nonverbal interaction and opinion leadership.
-
COMM 367 - Persuasion Theory
COMM 367 - Persuasion Theory
4.00 credit hours
An introduction to the study of persuasive communication from a social scientific perspective. Theories examines the characteristics of source, message and audience. Topics covered include strategic planning and organization of persuasive messages, audience analysis, motives and values, effective use of language, the role of context and purpose, propaganda and the abuse of persuasion, campaign planning and brand messaging. Students present and analyze persuasive materials orally and in writing as a way of developing communication and critical abilities.
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COMM 400 - Communication Theory and Research
COMM 400 - Communication Theory and Research
4.00 credit hours
An advanced study of the different traditions of communication theory and their epistemological, normative and ontological assumptions. The focus of this course is on student comprehension of the breadth of thinking within the field of communication and on the responsibility for positioning oneself as a scholar or professional within this field of thought.
(or
Electives
Two courses from the following:
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COMM 200 - Interpersonal Communication
COMM 200 - Interpersonal Communication
4.00 credit hours
An introductory study of the theory and practice of human communication within diverse relationships and contexts. The emphasis will be on dyadic (one-on-one) communication and the basic verbal and nonverbal strategies affecting perception and comprehension within the communication process. Key subtopics will include nonverbal communication, verbal styles, relationship development and conflict management. Requires participation in written and oral activities designed to develop and improve interpersonal skills.
-
COMM 214 - Group Interaction
COMM 214 - Group Interaction
4.00 credit hours
Students are introduced to the theory and practice of small group communication and decision-making. The course features an extensive group project, where students develop their abilities to participate, observe, analyze, evaluate and intervene in small group communication.
-
COMM 250 - Introduction to Public Relations
COMM 250 - Introduction to Public Relations
4.00 credit hours
An introductory course familiarizing students with core public relations concepts, historical underpinnings, foundational theory and careers in PR. An overview of the functions, practices and growing application of public relations in private industry and the public sector, the course examines the nature and role of public relations, activities of public relations professionals, the major influences impacting organizational behavior and the ethics of public relations.
-
COMM 280 - Business and Professional Communication
COMM 280 - Business and Professional Communication
4.00 credit hours
An intermediate course in which students develop the skills and strategies for use in written, face-to-face and electronic communication in professional settings. Students learn fundamentals of writing and presenting in professional contexts and may investigate organizational communication practices such as interviewing, performance feedback, training and meeting management.
Advanced Electives
One course from the following:
-
COMM 330 - Organizational Communication Theory
COMM 330 - Organizational Communication Theory
4.00 credit hours
Students develop an understanding of the major theoretical perspectives contributing to the study of organizational communication, from classical management through cultural, critical, feminist, postmodern and constitutive approaches. Students conduct basic field research and learn how to employ theoretical perspectives for analyzing communication practices in organizations.
-
COMM 335 - Freedom of Expression
COMM 335 - Freedom of Expression
4.00 credit hours
Examines the First Amendment's protection of freedom of speech, religion, press and association, and its role as a cornerstone of American democracy. Students study foundational U.S. Supreme Court cases that have defined and delimited these freedoms. They learn how to analyze legal and moral arguments and conduct basic legal research. They also develop an understanding of the political and philosophical conflicts surrounding the exercise of First Amendment freedoms.
-
COMM 350 - Public Relations Strategy
COMM 350 - Public Relations Strategy
4.00 credit hours
An advanced-level course in PR examining organizational principles, applied theory and strategic planning practices—including social media integration-underscoring the effective management of public relations. Team-based applications of PR research planning, tactics and implementation for real-world clients. The course also emphasizes best practices in PR writing across platforms.
-
COMM 370 - Health Communication
COMM 370 - Health Communication
4.00 credit hours
Summative course examining the intertwining of communication with issues of health and medicine. Emphasis on the unique cultural, media, political-legal, interpersonal and organizational factors influencing communication in healthcare settings.
-
COMM 389 - Gender, Sexuality and Mass Media
COMM 389 - Gender, Sexuality and Mass Media
4.00 credit hours
An advanced introduction to the complex relations between gender and the mass media. Special emphasis is placed on the social construction of gender and sexuality, representations of the body and feminist theories of media.
-
COMM 390 - Seminar in Communication
COMM 390 - Seminar in Communication
4.00 credit hours
Examination of special topics within the area of communication studies.
-
COMM 490 - Seminar in Communication
COMM 490 - Seminar in Communication
4.00 credit hours
Examination of special topics within the area of communication studies.
Foreign Language
Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the
Eight credit hours from the following:
-
CLSS 255 - Greek and Roman History and Historians
CLSS 255 - Greek and Roman History and Historians
4.00 credit hours
Survey of major developments in Greek and Roman history from roughly 800 BCE–400 CE. In addition to understanding how societies in ancient Greece and Rome built, defended and lost their empires, the course also studies the social, cultural and environmental experiences of these complex civilizations. Students read modern historical interpretations as well as translated ancient historical sources of the period.
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PHIL 110 - Ethics
PHIL 110 - Ethics
4.00 credit hours
An examination of alternative bases for morality and the arguments by which moral claims are justified.
-
PHIL 210 - Professional Ethics
PHIL 210 - Professional Ethics
4.00 credit hours
Professional ethics in selected career fields including law, business and biomedicine. Students may apply basic concepts to the career of their choice, relate their personal ethics to professional ethics and become better informed consumers of professional services. This course begins with an examination of the alternative bases for making moral judgments.
-
PHIL 230 - Logic and Critical Thinking
PHIL 230 - Logic and Critical Thinking
4.00 credit hours
An examination of inductive and deductive reasoning, formal and informal fallacies and rules and procedures for evaluating arguments.
-
ENGL 314 - Writing Commentary and Cultural Criticism: The Public Intellectual
ENGL 314 - Writing Commentary and Cultural Criticism: The Public Intellectual
4.00 credit hours
A workshop-based public and professional writing course for student-critics who want to learn the art and craft of opinion commentary for publication. Reading for content and craft, students propose, pitch, write and edit shorter, timely pieces such as op-eds, first person essays, humor/satire, polemics, jeremiads and arts or other reviews, as well as longer essays of cultural criticism. Writing and rhetoric.
Applied Communication Minor
Applied communication focuses on communication practice in a variety of contexts. Students are led to understand, to use and to critique communication.
For additional programs and courses in this department, see Communication and Media Studies.
A minimum of 20 credit hours, including:
Public Speaking
One of the following:
-
CARD 102 - First-Year Seminar - Speaking
CARD 102 - First-Year Seminar - Speaking
4.00 credit hours
Introduces students to fundamental communication skills that help them to be successful in college, with particular emphasis on public speaking. Students develop their abilities to give effective informative and persuasive presentations, to conduct responsible research and to adapt messages to different contexts and audiences. Attention is also given to the college transition as well as students finding their place on campus and within local communities
-
COMM 100 - Introduction to Public Speaking
COMM 100 - Introduction to Public Speaking
4.00 credit hours
An introductory course examining fundamental public speaking skills, including the preparation, presentation and evaluation of informative and persuasive speeches. Particular focus on audience awareness and the organization of an oral message for comprehension. This course may not be taken after completing
Audience/Context
One of the following:
-
COMM 200 - Interpersonal Communication
COMM 200 - Interpersonal Communication
4.00 credit hours
An introductory study of the theory and practice of human communication within diverse relationships and contexts. The emphasis will be on dyadic (one-on-one) communication and the basic verbal and nonverbal strategies affecting perception and comprehension within the communication process. Key subtopics will include nonverbal communication, verbal styles, relationship development and conflict management. Requires participation in written and oral activities designed to develop and improve interpersonal skills.
-
COMM 214 - Group Interaction
COMM 214 - Group Interaction
4.00 credit hours
Students are introduced to the theory and practice of small group communication and decision-making. The course features an extensive group project, where students develop their abilities to participate, observe, analyze, evaluate and intervene in small group communication.
-
COMM 280 - Business and Professional Communication
COMM 280 - Business and Professional Communication
4.00 credit hours
An intermediate course in which students develop the skills and strategies for use in written, face-to-face and electronic communication in professional settings. Students learn fundamentals of writing and presenting in professional contexts and may investigate organizational communication practices such as interviewing, performance feedback, training and meeting management.
Structure and Delivery
One of the following:
-
COMM 285 - Argumentation and Debate
COMM 285 - Argumentation and Debate
4.00 credit hours
An intermediate course that addresses both theory and practice in argumentation. Through preparation and participation in debates, students learn the basic principles of debate, emphasizing the development of research, critical thinking and oral presentation skills.
-
COMM 287 - Advanced Public Speaking
COMM 287 - Advanced Public Speaking
4.00 credit hours
Building upon the fundamentals learned in
Intercultural Communication
-
COMM 317 - Intercultural Communication
COMM 317 - Intercultural Communication
4.00 credit hours
A study of the basic components involved in intercultural communication. Topics considered include, but are not limited to: cultural biases, cultural determinants of experiences and backgrounds, social perception, verbal interaction, nonverbal interaction and opinion leadership.
Advanced Elective
One of the following:
-
COMM 301 - Rhetoric and Public Discourse
COMM 301 - Rhetoric and Public Discourse
4.00 credit hours
Students develop an understanding of rhetorical communication in the public sphere. The course explores historical and contemporary rhetorical theory, which students use to critique the rhetoric of current public issues. In addition to developing an understanding of the integral role rhetoric plays in civic life, students develop their abilities to analyze, critique and contribute to public discourse.
-
COMM 330 - Organizational Communication Theory
COMM 330 - Organizational Communication Theory
4.00 credit hours
Students develop an understanding of the major theoretical perspectives contributing to the study of organizational communication, from classical management through cultural, critical, feminist, postmodern and constitutive approaches. Students conduct basic field research and learn how to employ theoretical perspectives for analyzing communication practices in organizations.
-
COMM 350 - Public Relations Strategy
COMM 350 - Public Relations Strategy
4.00 credit hours
An advanced-level course in PR examining organizational principles, applied theory and strategic planning practices—including social media integration-underscoring the effective management of public relations. Team-based applications of PR research planning, tactics and implementation for real-world clients. The course also emphasizes best practices in PR writing across platforms.
-
COMM 367 - Persuasion Theory
COMM 367 - Persuasion Theory
4.00 credit hours
An introduction to the study of persuasive communication from a social scientific perspective. Theories examines the characteristics of source, message and audience. Topics covered include strategic planning and organization of persuasive messages, audience analysis, motives and values, effective use of language, the role of context and purpose, propaganda and the abuse of persuasion, campaign planning and brand messaging. Students present and analyze persuasive materials orally and in writing as a way of developing communication and critical abilities.
-
COMM 370 - Health Communication
COMM 370 - Health Communication
4.00 credit hours
Summative course examining the intertwining of communication with issues of health and medicine. Emphasis on the unique cultural, media, political-legal, interpersonal and organizational factors influencing communication in healthcare settings.
-
COMM 390 - Seminar in Communication
COMM 390 - Seminar in Communication
4.00 credit hours
Examination of special topics within the area of communication studies.
-
COMM 490 - Seminar in Communication
COMM 490 - Seminar in Communication
4.00 credit hours
Examination of special topics within the area of communication studies.
Applied Communication Concentration
Communication skills can enhance any field of study, and this streamlined program allows students of any major the opportunity to further develop those skills. Students take courses from a tightly focused selection of skills-intensive courses that stress practice, repetition, and self-analysis. Students will learn to communicate more effectively in a variety of contexts and with diverse audiences. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn a formal transcript designation to indicate to future employers that they have achieved a level of proficiency in communication.
For additional programs and courses in this department, see Communication and Media Studies.
Students must take three courses from the following:
-
CARD 102 - First-Year Seminar - Speaking
CARD 102 - First-Year Seminar - Speaking
4.00 credit hours
Introduces students to fundamental communication skills that help them to be successful in college, with particular emphasis on public speaking. Students develop their abilities to give effective informative and persuasive presentations, to conduct responsible research and to adapt messages to different contexts and audiences. Attention is also given to the college transition as well as students finding their place on campus and within local communities
-
COMM 100 - Introduction to Public Speaking
COMM 100 - Introduction to Public Speaking
4.00 credit hours
An introductory course examining fundamental public speaking skills, including the preparation, presentation and evaluation of informative and persuasive speeches. Particular focus on audience awareness and the organization of an oral message for comprehension. This course may not be taken after completing
-
COMM 200 - Interpersonal Communication
COMM 200 - Interpersonal Communication
4.00 credit hours
An introductory study of the theory and practice of human communication within diverse relationships and contexts. The emphasis will be on dyadic (one-on-one) communication and the basic verbal and nonverbal strategies affecting perception and comprehension within the communication process. Key subtopics will include nonverbal communication, verbal styles, relationship development and conflict management. Requires participation in written and oral activities designed to develop and improve interpersonal skills.
-
COMM 214 - Group Interaction
COMM 214 - Group Interaction
4.00 credit hours
Students are introduced to the theory and practice of small group communication and decision-making. The course features an extensive group project, where students develop their abilities to participate, observe, analyze, evaluate and intervene in small group communication.
-
COMM 280 - Business and Professional Communication
COMM 280 - Business and Professional Communication
4.00 credit hours
An intermediate course in which students develop the skills and strategies for use in written, face-to-face and electronic communication in professional settings. Students learn fundamentals of writing and presenting in professional contexts and may investigate organizational communication practices such as interviewing, performance feedback, training and meeting management.
-
COMM 285 - Argumentation and Debate
COMM 285 - Argumentation and Debate
4.00 credit hours
An intermediate course that addresses both theory and practice in argumentation. Through preparation and participation in debates, students learn the basic principles of debate, emphasizing the development of research, critical thinking and oral presentation skills.
-
COMM 287 - Advanced Public Speaking
COMM 287 - Advanced Public Speaking
4.00 credit hours
Building upon the fundamentals learned in
-
MEDI 200 - Digital Media Writing
MEDI 200 - Digital Media Writing
4.00 credit hours
Digital media writing introduces students to writing on different types of platforms including the web, applications and social media. Students learn to write in a variety of different genres including blog writing, online news and public relations. The course also hones writing and research skills for digital writing.
-or-
Note:
The Applied Communication Concentration is designated only for students who are not majoring/minoring in one of the communication programs.
Speech Communication Internships and Jobs
A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.
Internships
Recent graduates in speech communication include:
- Morning news reporter, Fox News Chicago WFLD TV, Chicago
- Production assistant, ESPN 1000, Chicago
- Marketing and promotions intern, Emmis Communications, Chicago
- Client success coordinator, Eclipse Telecom, Chicago
- Associate attorney, Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, Northbrook
Careers
Recent graduates in speech communication include:
- Management consultant
- Marketing project manager
- Financial client service associate
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