Communication Studies Major: Media Studies Emphasis - Bachelor of Arts (BA)

(All colleges, excluding teacher certification programs)

39 credits

Courses listed in more than one category may be counted only once.

Core requirements
CST 190Introduction to Communication Studies3
CST 301Theories of Communication3
CST 498Research Methods in Communication3
CST 499Senior Project in Communication Studies3
Required
CST 271Media and Society3
CST 378Emerging Media and Communication Technology3
CST 419Communication, Media and Identity3
or CST 489 Advanced Topics in Media Studies
Select at least three credits of the following:3
Media and Sexuality
Media Industries and Audiences
Television & Media Histories
Digital Media Production
Interactive and Experiential Media
Social Networks, Influences, and Virality
AI in Communication and Media
Communication, Media and Identity
Advanced Topics in Media Studies
Select nine credits of electives, one from each emphasis area (see below)9
Select a minimum of six credits of electives from any CST course 16
Total Credits39
1

excluding CST 110 and CST 299.

Areas of emphasis:

Interpersonal communication emphasis

CST 230Interpersonal Communication3
CST 330Nonverbal Communication3
CST 331Communicating Social Support3
CST 332Intercultural Communication3
CST 333Lying and Deception in Human Interaction3
CST 334Gender Communication3
CST 336Family Communication3
CST 337Communication and Race3
CST 339Communication and Aging3

Public communication & advocacy emphasis

CST 211Communication and Civic Engagement3
CST 213Public Advocacy and Dialogue3
CST 310Debate3
CST 312Environmental Communication3
CST 315Communication Criticism3
CST 319Communication and Public Memory3
CST 322Communication and Sport3
CST 410Argumentation3
CST 412Community Advocacy and Social Change3
CST 413Persuasive Campaigns3
CST 415Advanced Topics in Public Communication and Advocacy3

Organizational & professional communication emphasis

CST 260Professional Communication3
CST 350Organizational Communication3
CST 351Interviewing: Principles and Processes3
CST 353Workplace Relationships3
CST 354Health Communication3
CST 358New Media and Technologies in Modern Organizations3
CST 360Public Relations3
CST 365Communication in Teams3
CST 380Communicating Leadership3

All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements to qualify for a degree. All enrolled students have access to a degree audit to track all of these requirements. 

 

College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH/VPA) Bachelor of Arts core requirements

The college core provides opportunities for students to deepen their knowledge by taking courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and/or sciences beyond the Core General Education Requirements (CGER). Students may select from courses offered by the full range of academic departments within the college according to their interests. The college core allows students to build their critical thinking, communication, problem solving, teamwork, and global competencies through in-depth exploration of topics of their choosing.

The following conditions apply:

  1. Students majoring in English (writing and rhetoric or literary and cultural studies emphases only) or in the Department of Global Cultures and Languages must earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Teacher education majors earn a Bachelor of Science degree and follow the School of Education core. Students majoring in other CASSH programs may choose either a B.A. or a B.S. degree.
  2. Language courses (CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HCK, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA, or SPE 214) used to fulfill a CGER may also be used to meet the core B.A. language requirement (i.e., the first requirement for each of the B.A. tracks). This course may come from the department of the student's first major.
  3. All other courses completed for the college core cannot overlap with CGER or the student's first major unless otherwise stated. The college core is in addition to those degree requirements. Overlap with a second major, minor, or certificate is allowed.
  4. Courses approved for use in the college core:
    1. Fine arts category: 150-300 level in ART, 100-300 level in MUS or THA.
    2. Humanities category: 100-300 level in CHI, FRE, GCL, JPN, HCK,
      HMG, RUS, or SPA, SPE 207SPE 214CST 211CST 213,
      CST 310CST 312CST 315CST 319CST 338CST 410,
      CST 412CST 413CST 415CST 419,

      100-300 level in PHL, 200-300 level in ENG or HIS,
      MS 402RGS 207, RGS 210RGS 308, RGS 309, RGS 321RGS 360,
      RGS 374.
    3. Social science category: 100-300 level in ANT, ARC, CRIM, ENV,
      POL, PUB, or SOC, CST 190CST 230CST 260CST 271,
       CST 280CST 301CST 321CST 322CST 330,  CST 331CST 332,
       CST 333CST 334CST 336CST 337CST 339CST 350CST 351,
       CST 353CST 354CST 358CST 360CST 365CST 378CST 380,
       CST 388PSY 100,100 level in RGS,
       RGS 205RGS 303RGS 307RGS 314RGS 316RGS 320RGS 322,
       RGS 328RGS 337RGS 340RGS 350RGS 353RGS 362RGS 373,
       RGS 377RGS 409. Students with a declared minor in child/youth
      care or psychology may request additional courses from those programs be applied to the core by contacting the CASSH Academic Services Director.

Diversity course requirement

All students in CASSH must complete at least one diversity course from within CASSH. This course can overlap with CGER, major, minor, or other degree requirements. Select from the 100-400 level in ANT, ARC, CHI, CRIM, FRE, GCL, GER, HCK, HMG, JPN, RUS, SOC, SPA, or RGS; or from the following:
 ART 215ART 251ART 301ART 331ART 332ART 335CST 271,
 CST 332CST 337CST 419ENG 207ENG 208ENG 210ENG 212,
 ENG 215ENG 220ENG 336ENG 357ENG 360ENV 350ENV 351,
 ENV 352ENV 353ENV 354HIS 195HIS 220HIS 230HIS 250,
 HIS 260HIS 285HIS 310HIS 319HIS 327HIS 328HIS 329,
 HIS 330HIS 333HIS 335HIS 336HIS 338HIS 345HIS 357,
 HIS 359HIS 360HIS 362HIS 363HIS 377HIS 383HIS 386,
 HIS 389HIS 390INS 494MUS 205MUS 209MUS 377PHL 212,
 PHL 335PHL 336PHL 349POL 130POL 140POL 202POL 205,
 POL 309POL 325POL 330POL 332POL 335POL 336POL 340,
 POL 341POL 344POL 345POL 346POL 355PUB 210PSY 282,
 PSY 283PSY 318PSY 319PSY 325PSY 360THA 130THA 351

Bachelor of Arts track requirement

Bachelor of Arts students must declare a Language, Humanities, or Fine Arts track. This can be done through the UWL Change of Major Form. Students select one of the below tracks.

A. Language Track

  1. Native speakers of English complete:
    Select one of the following:
    Chinese Language and Culture in Action II
    French Language and Cultures in Action II
    Intermediate Languages II
    German Language and Cultures in Action II
    Hoocak Language and Culture IV
    Hmong Heritage Language: Intermediate
    Hmong Heritage Language: Advanced
    Intermediate Japanese II
    Russian Language and Cultures in Action II
    Spanish Language and Cultures in Action II
    Introduction to Spanish for the Health Professions
    Non-native speakers of English: provide English proficiency evidence acceptable for admission to UWL as a degree seeking student to the CASSH Academic Services Director.
  2. Two additional courses from different categories selected from the college core fine arts, humanities, and social science categories.

B. Humanities Track

  1. One global language course at the 102-level or higher (including SPE 214); and
  2. Two additional courses from different departments (course prefixes within GCL are considered different for this requirement) selected from the college core humanities; and
  3. One course from the college core fine arts or social science categories.

C. Fine Arts Track

  1. One global language course at the 102-level or higher (including SPE 214); and
  2. Two additional courses from different departments selected from the college core fine arts; and
  3. One course from the college core humanities or social science categories.

Second major, minor, certificates, or individualized option requirement

In addition to all other College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities core requirements, all students in CASSH must complete one of the following:

  1. Complete a second major outside of the student's major program; or
  2. Complete a minor outside of the student's major program, consisting of at least 18 credits; or
  3. Complete two certificates outside of the student's major program with at least 12 combined credits at the 300/400 level; of
  4. Complete an individualized option, consisting of 18 credits that are in addition to the minimum credits required in the CGER. At least 12 credits must be earned at the 300/400-level outside the major department. The remaining six credits may consist of:

    1. 100-level or higher courses outside the major; or

    2. 300/400-level courses inside the major department not being used to fulfill major requirements.

 

Baccalaureate degree requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:

  1. Fulfill the Core General Education Requirements (CGER).
  2. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
  3. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
  4. At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
  5. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
  6. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
  7. Submit an application for graduation via the "Submit Intent to Graduate" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
1

Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.

2

The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.

No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.

Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.

The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use their degree audit and work closely with their advisor(s) and college dean's office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.

Core General Education Program

The Core General Education Requirement (CGER) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include CGER placeholders to ensure completion of the core general education requirements. The CGER category listed in parentheses indicated the recommended course to help complete CGER and the program requirements. Transferred courses may alter the plan. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. CGER courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the Core General Education Requirements for more specific details.

At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level. 

Note: New students and transfer students with less than 12 credits earned are required to take The Eagle Advantage for College Success (UWL 100, 2 cr.) or FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.

This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.

Year 1
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CST 110 (CGER CL-SL Communication & Literacy: Spoken Literacy)3CST 1903
UWL 100 or FYS 100 (CGER SBS-FS Social & Behavioral Science: Social Foundation for Success)2ENG 110 (CGER CL-WL Communication & Literacy: Written Literacy)3
CGER HA-AA Humanities & Arts: Arts & Aesthetics2CGER CP-CW Civics & Perspective: Cultures of Our World/CASSH Core Language13
CGER MQR-QR Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning: Quantitative Reasoning3CGER HA-AA Humanities & Arts: Arts & Aesthetics1
CGER CL-SWT Communication & Literacy: Stories We Tell3CGER NSW-MBP Natural Science & Wellness: Mind, Body, & Planet3
CGER CP-CU Civics & Perspective: Communities of the United States3 
 16 13
Year 2
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CST 2713CST 3013
Interpersonal Communication Emphasis Elective3CST 37823
Media Studies Elective3Organizational & Professional Comm. Emphasis Elective3
CGER NSWL-ES Natural Science & Wellness: Experiential Science4Minor Course3
University Elective3CASSH Core Course3
 16 15
Year 3
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CASSH Core Course3CST 419 or 48923
CGER SBS-BS Social & Behavioral Science: Social & Behavioral Studies3CST 4983
CGER HA-PDU Humanities & Arts: Pasts that Define Us3CST Elective3
Minor Course3Minor Course3
University Elective3University Elective3
 15 15
Year 4
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CST 4993CASSH Core Course3
Public Communication & Advocacy Emphasis Elective3CASSH Core Diversity Course3
CST Elective3Minor Course3
Minor Course3University Elective3
University Elective3Minor Course3
 15 15
Total Credits: 120
1

CASSH Core Humanities and Fine Arts Tracks require 102+ level language. CASSH Core Language Track requires 202 level language. Students unprepared for 202 level will need to complete prerequisite course work.

2

Check course availability. May need to rearrange schedule if course is not offered at this time.