1. Curricular Action Notice--Program change in COM major

Department : Communication and Theatre

Rationale for change: 

As part of a new marketing plan to improve the overall program and increase majors, we propose changing the name of the Communication major to an “Organizational Communication” major as well as make some minor changes in the required courses.  This title more accurately reflects the nature of the major, since it is not a degree in public speaking and most people seem to be confused by what a degree in “Communication” is. We have encountered plenty of confusion among our students, other faculty, parents, etc. that we feel will be somewhat alleviated by a more tangible and currently popular name.  We feel that eliminating the confusion and ambiguity will help to attract more majors.  This major is growing and we'd like to see it attract even more majors. Today, many degrees in human communication are entitled “organizational communication degrees.”

Old Degree and Program Title: COMMUNICATION

New Degree and Program Title: ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION

                Core:

                                COM 3325           Interpersonal Communication  

COM 3360           Organizational Communication

COM 4485           Small Group Communication

COM 4400           Comm Theory

                Required:

                                COM 4401           Persuasion

COM 3336           Business and Professional Communication

COM 4425           Public Communication  

COM 3332 or COM 3334  Cross cultural or Gender Communication

                Electives: (choose 9 credits from the following or from 3332/3334 not selected above)

                                COM 2205           Interpreting Communication Research

COM 3330           Parliamentary Procedure

COM 4403           Speech Writing

COM 3306           Nonverbal Communication

COM 4440           Communication Law

List all changes:

      Voice and Articulation will be eliminated. This course is of much less relevance to this major than when it was a Speech Communication degree focused on public speaking.

      Interpreting Communication research becomes an elective since this course is appropriate for only a portion of our majors continuing on certain tracks rather than an across the board requirement.

      Small Group becomes a required course since it is a foundation for organizational communication.

      Cross cultural or Gender communication is required so that the students get some required study in diversity areas which is crucial to success in today's business world. 

Program Description for Catalog (if changed):

      The Communication program provides students with an extensive background in human communication study in areas such as organizational communication, interpersonal communication, and small group communication. Graduates often seek employment in management, human services, retail, health care, counseling, law or continue to graduate school with the objective of seeking education-based careers. Qualified students are encouraged to participate in the Department's successful internship program.

After the first semester all majors will have a prepared portfolio reviewed by the student's advisor prior to registration for the subsequent semester. Details on portfolio contents can be found in the student department handbook.

2. Curricular Action Notice--Program change in COM minor

Department : Communication and Theatre

Rationale for change: 

As part of a new marketing plan to improve the overall program and increase minors, we propose changing the name of the Communication minor to an “Organizational Communication Minor” as well as make some minor changes in the required courses.  This title more accurately reflects the nature of the minor, since it is not a degree in public speaking and most people seem to be confused by what a minor in “Communication” is. We have encountered plenty of confusion among our students, other faculty, parents, etc. that we feel will be somewhat alleviated by a more tangible and currently popular name.  We feel that eliminating the confusion and ambiguity will help to attract more minors.

Old Degree and Program Title: Communication Minor

New Degree and Program Title: Organizational Communication Minor (18 s.h.)

        Program Requirements

________________________________________

A minor in communication is available for students who want to communicate effectively in a variety of situations, understand the theory of communication, and explore global diversity as they interact in interpersonal and organizational settings.

•     COM 3325 - INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

•     COM 3360 - ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION

•     COM 4485 – SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION

Choose 6 s.h. from:

(as approved)

•             COM 3330 - PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

•             COM 3334 - GENDER AND COMMUNICATION

•             COM 3332 – Cross Cultural Communication

•             COM 3306 – Nonverbal Communication

•             COM 3336 - BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION

Choose 3 s.h. from :

 (as approved)

•             COM 4400 - COMMUNICATION THEORY

•             COM 4401 - PERSUASION

•             COM 4425 - PUBLIC COMMUNICATION

•             COM 4440 - COMMUNICATION LAW

•             COM 4450 - SPECIAL PROJECTS

List all changes: Delete Voice and Artic and Oral Interpretation. They are no longer closely related to this minor. Add Small Group Communication to the core to mirror the major changes. Add Cross Cultural Communication and Nonverbal Communication to the first list of electives since those courses are now available in our curriculum.