Communication Studies Major: Public Communication and Advocacy 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
Select one of the following 200-level courses:
CST 211Communication and Civic Engagement3
or CST 213 Public Advocacy and Dialogue
Select one of the following 300-level courses:
CST 315Communication Criticism3
or CST 310 Debate
or CST 312 Environmental Communication
or CST 319 Communication and Public Memory
or CST 322 Communication and Sport
Select one of the following 400-level courses:
CST 412Community Advocacy and Social Change3
or CST 413 Persuasive Campaigns
or CST 410 Argumentation
or CST 415 Advanced Topics in Public Communication and Advocacy
Select at least three credits of the following:3
Presentational Speaking
Public Advocacy and Dialogue
Debate
Environmental Communication
Communication and Public Memory
Communication and Sport
Argumentation
Community Advocacy and Social Change
Persuasive Campaigns
Advanced Topics in Public Communication and Advocacy
Select nine credits of electives, three credits 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:

Organizational & professional communication emphasis

CST 260Professional Communication3
CST 350Organizational Communication3
CST 351Interviewing: Principles and Processes3
CST 353Workplace Relationships3
CST 354Health Communication3
CST 355Diversity and Organizational Communication3
CST 358New Media and Technologies in Modern Organizations3
CST 360Public Relations3
CST 365Communication in Teams3
CST 380Communicating Leadership3

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

Media studies emphasis

CST 271Media and Society3
CST 338Media and Sexuality3
CST 371Media Industries and Audiences3
CST 373Television & Media Histories3
CST 377Digital Media Production3
CST 378Emerging Media and Communication Technology3
CST 379Interactive and Experiential Media3
CST 387Social Networks, Influences, and Virality3
CST 419Communication, Media and Identity3
CST 471Broadcast and Digital Media Management3
CST 489Advanced Topics in Media Studies3

All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR. 

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

The CASSH core provides opportunities for students to deepen their knowledge by taking courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and/or sciences beyond the requirements of general education. 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 to one or both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees:

  1. Students majoring in English (writing and rhetoric or literary and cultural studies emphases) or in the department of global cultures and languages must earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Education majors earn a Bachelor of Science degree; English major: medical professions emphasis majors may earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.
  2. Students majoring in other CASSH programs may choose either a B.A. or a B.S. degree.
  3. Language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) used to fulfill the general education requirement: "Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages" (GE 02, category 2) may also be used to meet the B.A. and B.S. language requirements.
  4. At least one course in the degree must be a CASSH designated diversity course.
  5. All other courses used to meet the requirements below must be in addition to the minimum 42 credits required in the General Education Program.
  6. Applicable courses may be found on the CASSH B.A./B.S. Degree Option Course List or in the Advisement Report (AR) when the degree has been declared.

Courses used to fulfill general education requirements will not apply to core requirements except for language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) that count in the general education requirement: "Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages" (GE 02, category 2).

Bachelor of Arts students declare one of the following tracks online via the CASSH website:

A. Language track
  1. Native speakers of English complete:
    Select one of the following:
    Intermediate Arabic II
    Chinese Language and Culture in Action II
    French Language and Cultures in Action II
    Intermediate Languages II
    German Language and Cultures in Action II
    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.
  2. Two additional courses outside of the student's major in two of the following: humanities, social sciences or fine arts.
B. Humanities track
  1. One global language course 102 or higher; and
  2. Two additional courses outside the department of the student's major from two different departments chosen from: communication studies, English, history, philosophy and race, gender, and sexuality studies (see the Advisement Report (AR) for a listing of the approved courses); and
  3. One additional course in social sciences or fine arts.
C. Fine arts track
  1. One global language course 102 or higher; and
  2. Two additional courses outside the department of the student's major from two different departments chosen from: art, music, theatre; and
  3. One additional course in social sciences or humanities.
In addition to all other College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities core requirements, all students in CASSH must complete a second major, minor, or individualized option by satisfying one of the following:
  1. Complete a minor (or two certificates with at least 12 combined credits at the 300/400 level or a second major) outside of the student's major program, consisting of at least 18 credits; or
  2. Complete an emphasis, program or concentration of at least 18 credits outside the student's major program. General education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements; or
  3. Complete an individualized option, consisting of 18 credits. 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 (general education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements); 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 general education requirements.
  2. Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
  3. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
  4. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
  5. 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.
  6. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
  7. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
  8. Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" 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 in order 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 the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.

General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed 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 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 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 (Gen Ed Literacy-Oral)3ENG 110 or 112 (Gen Ed Literacy-Written)3
Gen Ed Minority Cultures3Gen Ed Global Studies3
Gen Ed Arts2-3FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar)3
Gen Ed Math4CST 1903
Gen Ed World History3102+ Level Gen Ed/CASSH Core Language13-4
 15 15
Year 2
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Gen Ed Natural Lab Science4CST Media Studies Emphasis Elective3
CST Interpersonal Emphasis Elective3Minor Course3
Minor Course3CST 3013
Gen Ed Humanistic Studies3CST 300 Level PCA Course23
CST 211 or 2133Gen Ed Health & Well-Being3
 16 15
Year 3
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Gen Ed Self & Society3Advanced Public Communication & Advocacy Elective3
University Elective3University Elective3
Minor Course3Minor Course3
CASSH Core Course3CASSH Core Course3
CST Organizational & Professional Emphasis Elective3Gen Ed Arts2-3
 15 14
Year 4
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CST 4983CST 4993
CST 400 Level PCA Course33CST Elective3
CST Elective3Minor Course3
Minor Course3CASSH Core Diversity Course3
CASSH Core Course3University Elective3
 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

CST 300 level PCA courses include: CST 310CST 312CST 315CST 319, and CST 322.

3

CST 400 PCA courses include: CST 410CST 412CST 413, and CST 415.