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2002-03 University Catalog

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Communication

Communication, B.A.

Study in communication prepares students for graduate study or entry-level positions in fields such as international and intercultural communication, interpersonal and organizational communication, journalism, media production and criticism, persuasive and political communication, and public relations.

In addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements and the requirements for the B.A. degree in the College of Arts and Sciences, students majoring in communication must complete 36 credits in communication:

1. Fifteen credits of required communication courses, each with a minimum satisfactory grade or better: COMM 250, 300, 301, 302, and 420

2. Twelve credits selected from an approved concentration (see below). A list of courses in each concentration is available on the department web site and in the department. With the approval of their advisor and the associate chair, students may construct an individualized concentration. Students must declare a concentration before they earn 90 or more credits. Transfer students with 60 or more credits are encouraged to declare a concentration by the end of their first semester at George Mason.

3. Nine credits of communication electives

Of the 21 credits in 2 and 3, 12 must be at the 300­400 level and the total may include no more than 10 credits from the following courses: COMM 140, 141, 142, 143, 145, 148, 157, 340, 341, 342, 343, 345, 346, 348, 349, 450, 451, 452, 499. Also, the total may include no more than 6 credits of internship (COMM 450). No more than 9 credits of internship (COMM 450 and/or GOVT 450) may be applied toward the 120 credits required for graduation.

Approved Concentrations

  • International and Intercultural Communication
  • Interpersonal and Organizational Communication
  • Journalism
  • Media Production and Criticism
  • Persuasive and Political Communication
  • Public Relations
  • Individualized Concentration

All students are encouraged to participate in one of the communication activities: Broadside, debate, forensics, GMView, Mason Cable Network, or WGMU. Many students include an internship during their senior year as a way of gaining practical experience with national and international businesses, associations, or government agencies.