Updated August 2013

Who We AreThe Department of Communication offers a

broad array of courses and ideas in order to develop critical thinkers, sophisticated and knowledgeable consumers and producers, and advocates of responsible, ethical, and thoughtful mediated and human communication.

MissionOur mission is to produce and encourage

knowledge and creative expression from the theoretical, critical, and practical study of communication. We examine identities and relationships, texts, and structures and institutions through the lenses of media, technologies, and cultures.

What Does this Mean?

RELATIONSHIPS AND IDENTITIES

Studying relationships and identities requires understanding a myriad ways of being involved in our humanity. The way we communicate--one-on-one, in groups, in organizations, in corporations, and cross-culturally involves different methods of understanding, organizing ourselves and relationships. In addition, this area examines the ways in which we construct ourselves and are constructed by others—identity issues that include gender, race, sexual orientation, class, nationality, and region.

TEXTSIn Communication, coming to know,

understand, assess and critique meaning happens in variant ways. One of the central ways this occurs is through textual analysis. Thus, we allocate one core line to students delving critically into different types of texts-- television, film, Internet, speeches--and unpacking them to discover what meanings are offered, how they are constructed, who they serve, how they function, and who benefits and who loses.

Structures and InstitutionsThis area examines the macro areas of

Communication—policy, ownership, economics, nation, globalization, consumers and producers, and the public sphere. Students look at communication legislation and its impact on communities, entertainment labor, technology development, and public and media policy.

Required and Core CoursesCommunication Studies (COMM 2900) is a

required course that must be completed before taking any of the core courses. It is mandated for anyone entering the major as a freshman from fall 2012.

Other 1000 and and 2000-level courses can be taken concurrent with Comm 2900.

Students who have an overall GPA of less than 2.50 when they declare the major must complete a 1000 or 2000 level course with a grade of C- or better before they will be allowed to enroll in a core course.

Core CoursesMajors must complete three of the seven offered core

courses, preferably by the end of junior year.

These core courses include one from each area:Cross-Cultural or Interaction Analysis (COMM 3140

or COMM 3240) (RELATIONSHIPS AND IDENITITES)

Rhetorical Criticism, Film or New Media Analysis (COMM 3250, COMM 3150, or COMM 3350) (TEXTS)

Technology or Media Analysis (COMM 3160 or COMM 3260) (STRUCTURES AND INSTITUTIONS)

Transfer CreditsWe only accept two classes outside of the 30-

credit major. Whether the course is from study abroad, a state college, or Loyola, we only accept two.

We evaluate what courses will transfer in and at what level by syllabi, not course description. We look at conceptual rigor, readings, assignments, and whether or not this is the type of class we would offer in the department.

InternshipsThe Department of Communication offers a 3-

credit, 4000-level internship class that students must take if they want to get 3-credits for an internship. The class must be taken concurrent with the internship. We offer it in the spring and in the summer online.

If students want to complete an additional internship and need credit to do it, they can receive 1-credit from Newcomb-Tulane College. The credit will not count toward the major.

Internship Policies 1.  Junior/Senior status with a 2.8gpa. 

2.  No retroactive internship credit will be given.  Students must meet the requirements and have the internship approved for credit before the internship begins.

3. The internship supervisor’s evaluation is an important consideration, but will not be any portion of the student’s grade.

4. Students must complete a minimum of 100 hours at the internship as part of the course. For the second internship credit, the student must work 70 hours for one credit and 140 for two credits.

5. The internship experience must include regularly going to a place of business where he/she is directly supervised.

6. Students may not do an internship for credit at a family-owned business or under the direct supervision of a family member.

7.  Students should produce some tangible work product as part of their internship experience.  This work product will be presented to the professor at the end of the internship course.

8.  Students may receive both credit and a salary for internships.

9. The Communication Department has final approval on service learning internships for which Comm credit is given.

10.  FMST and DMPR students can take the internship course as one of their electives for the major.

Study AbroadWe encourage our students to study abroad.

The preponderance of our majors study in European countries and increasingly, Latin America. As mentioned before with transfer credits, we only accept two courses outside of the department toward the major.

Communication Majors SocietyThe Communication Majors Society was

founded as a student organization in 2004. The organization holds various events throughout the year including faculty-student socials, career panels, and networking opportunities. Students may join the organization even if they are just interested in the major.

For Departmental QuestionsThe Department’s major advisor is Dr. Frank

Ukadike, ukadike@tulane.edu, 862-3041.

Students wanting to declare the major or who need advisement must schedule an advising appointment through the main office. After advising for declaration of the major, the declaration form is signed by the advisor and routed to the Chair. Students pick up the form and return it to the campus advising office. The office number is 504-865-5730.