Major Requirements
The Boston College Department of Communication is committed to the intellectual and ethical development of analytical and creative communication skills in our students, with particular emphasis on the effective functioning of circuits of communication, the impact of technological innovation on human beings and institutions, and the power relationships that develop through this interaction.
This program of study has led graduating majors to careers in communication industries and to success in fields related to communication including business, government/politics, international relations and negotiations, social and human services, health and education. Many majors have completed graduate programs in fields including communication, business and law. Thirty-three credits are required for the major.
For Classes 2021 and Beyond
Four Common Requirements (12 credits):
- COMM1010 Rhetorical Tradition
- COMM1020 Survey of Mass Communication
- COMM1030 Public Speaking
- COMM3330 Communication Methods: Social Science or COMM3340 Communication Methods: Cultural. (Methods should, ideally, not be taken until after a student has completed Rhetorical Tradition, Survey of Mass Communication, and Public Speaking) The four common requirement courses should be taken before any other courses in the major.
One Theory Course (3 credits):
- Any course numbered between COMM3360 and COMM3380
- Theory courses should, ideally, not be taken until after a student has completed Rhetorical Tradition, Survey of Mass Communication, Public Speaking and the Communication Methods course.
Two Writing Intensive Seminars (6 credits):
- Any two courses numbered between COMM4425 and COMM4475
- These are upper-level courses and should not be taken until after a student has completed the four common requirements. Freshmen and sophomores should never register for writing-intensive seminars.
Four Electives (12 credits):
- Electives may be chosen from any three credit class offered by the department.
- A maximum of 6 transfer credits will be accepted by the department toward elective credits.
- One class of 3 credits or more from the Woods College may be counted toward an elective, with permission from the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
- Senior Internship Seminar, a 3-credit elective, may be conducted only once during the senior year and used toward elective requirements.
- One-credit internships and courses may not be combined to total a 3-credit course
Additional Information
Students may declare the Communication major by contacting Kristin Hartnett, Academic Advisor at kristin.hartnett@woheshijie.com or Christine Caswell, Lecturer/Advisor and Director of Internship program at caswellc@woheshijie.com.
The department strongly advises majors to be on track to complete Rhetorical Tradition, Survey of Mass Communication, Public Speaking and Communication Methods prior to going abroad. All students wishing to study abroad must meet with Lindsay Hogan, Director of Undergraduate Studies, for permission. A maximum of two electives to the major may be conducted abroad with her permission.
COMM5589 Senior Internship Seminar, a 3-credit course, is open to junior and senior Communication majors. In addition, potential interns must have completed a minimum of six courses in communication including COMM1010 Rhetorical Tradition, COMM1020 Survey of Mass Communication, COMM1030 Public Speaking, and one of COMM3330 Communication Methods: Social Science or COMM3340 Communication Methods: Critical/Cultural.
For internship applications, please visit our department website. For registration and approval of internship placements, contact Professor Christine Caswell, Director of Communication Department Internship program at caswellc@woheshijie.com.
The honors program in the Department of Communication is targeted towards exceptional communication majors, defined as those whose overall GPA is 3.70 or higher. To be invited to join the honors program, a student must have an overall GPA of 3.70 or higher at the conclusion of their freshman year (summer courses will be counted if taken for BC graded credit). Students will be invited to the program in the fall semester of their sophomore year prior to spring registration. The honors program requires enrollment in an honors methods course in sophomore spring and an honors writing course in their junior year. In addition, students in the honors program will complete a thesis in order to officially graduate with department honors. A more complete description of the program is available on the department website or in the Honors Handbook in the department's main office or contact Professor Celeste Wells, Director of the Communication Department Honors Program.
Contact
Questions about study abroad, course substitution and transfer credits should be directed to Prof. Lindsay Hogan, Director of Undergraduate Studies, lindsay.hogan.2@woheshijie.com
Questions about the Communication curriculum, general advising, academic credit for internships, internship approval, career counseling, should be directed to Prof. Christine Caswell, St. Mary's Hall South, Room S375, 617-552-6148, caswellc@woheshijie.com
To declare the major and discuss general course of study, please contact Kristin Hartnett, Academic Advisor, at kristin.hartnett@woheshijie.com, 617-552-2515. St. Mary's Hall South, Room S376 or Professor Matt Sienkiewicz., Department Chair, at matt.sienkiewicz@woheshijie.com