Communication Studies

Communication studies draws from the richness of the communication discipline to allow you to design a program of study that meets your unique interests and professional goals through a broad understanding of how communication functions in interpersonal, group, organizational and public contexts.

As a communications studies major in the Department of Communication & Rhetorical Studies, you will develop competencies in a number of areas, including intercultural and interpersonal communication, organizational communication, argumentation, event planning, persuasion, professional communication, visual communication, rhetoric and popular culture, digital media and community relations.

Spring-boarding off of Duquesne’s liberal arts foundation, the program will also instill in you aspects of communication ethics, intercultural communication and communication research methods.

As a graduate of the communication studies program, you will be able to pursue a career in businesses and for-profit and non-profit organizations across a vast array of industries. Or you’ll be well prepared to attend graduate school in communication, law, healthy policy and administration, public policy or business.

 

Program Information

Our Communication Studies major offers a flexible curriculum, enabling you to explore courses aligned with your specific interests in communication theory. Customize your studies to match your passion.

Program Type

Major

Degree

Bachelor's

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Academic Department

Communication and Rhetorical Studies

Duration

4-year

Required Credit Hours

30

"The coursework is fascinating and focused on preparing students for a career. Because of this, I have a portfolio for any public relations or internal communication positions. Some of my professors even took the time to contribute to my job search."

—Jennie Mangiapane

Program Requirements

View Catalog
  • COMM 301W History of Communication
  • COMM 494W Communication Ethics
Students select two of the three courses below: 
  • COMM 206 Communication in the Marketplace
  • COMM 201 Human Communication in a Technological Age
  • COMM 407 Intercultural Communication
Students select one of the following courses:
  • COMM 204 Professional Comm. in IMC
  • COMM 304W Persuasion

Major electives are selected in consultation with an undergraduate director. Students may select five courses from any of the communication courses offered to frame a dynamic and tailored program of study. Examples of courses include:

  • COMM 330 IMC: Functions I: PR
  • COMM 458 Rhetoric & Popular Culture
  • COMM 304W Persuasion
  • COMM 461 Rhetorical Theory
  • COMM 459 Philosophy of Communication
  • COMM 456W Organizational Communication

 

Learning Outcomes

In addition to the Liberal Arts General Outcomes for all Undergraduate Degree Areas, students in the B.A. in Communication Studies program will demonstrate the following general competencies:
  1. Students will demonstrate appropriate and effective communication skills appropriate for marketplace contexts.
  2. Students will articulate the importance of "the good" protected and promoted as the narrative and philosophical basis for ethical decision making in communicative contexts in public and private life, while recognizing the presence of diverse conceptualizations of the good in a world of narrative and virtue contention.
  3. Students will identify central questions of the communication field.


Enhanced Major

You may take up to 15 additional credits for an enhanced major.

An enhanced major allows you to supplement the 30-credit major with additional coursework and internships. This option requires consultation with the undergraduate directors.