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Design Your Own Specialization

The world of communication is vast. In COMM, you have the unique opportunity to plot your course through the major or minor according to your interests. You can check out a few of our Variable Topics courses, find one that interests you, and take the class to see how it feels. Our professors are industry experts who will guide you through the different aspects of communication career possibilites.

Common Specializations in COMM

Check out the options for crafting your COMM career.
  • Journalism

    In today’s world, authentic storytelling in truthful journalism is essential to continuing the conversations about issues faced by people everywhere. As a student in COMM’s journalism classes, you’ll learn how to craft relatable and meaningful stories for audiences of all kinds. 

    Classes:
    COMM 410: Literary Journalism 
    Capstone: Audio Investigations 
    Capstone: In-Depth Journalism 

    Student project spotlight
  • Strategic Communication

    Strategic communication is all about communicating the best message, through the correct channels, to the right people, at the right time. In the Department of Communication’s classes on strategic communication, you’ll learn best practices for branding, public relations, and promoting messages through media channels.

    Classes:

    COMM 216: Principles and Practices in Strategic Communication
    COMM 336: Media Relations

    Student Project Spotlight
  • Political Communication and Civic Dialogue

    Are you interested in how the spread of information affects politics, policymakers, media and citizens? You may want to study political communication.  

    Classes:
    COMM 315: Freedom of Speech     
    COMM 389: Public Opinion and American Politics (usually offered during election years)
    COMM 410: Inspiring Speeches
    Capstone: Activism and Social Justice: A Rhetorical Study of Resistance and Control

    Student Project Spotlight
  • Science and Healthcare Communication

    Scientific and medical communication is all about condensing complicated and often anxiety inducing issues down to easy-to-understand concepts that non-professionals can understand, often for the purposes of activism and awareness or fundraising for research.  

    Classes:
    COMM 336: Environmental Communication     
    COMM 410: Communicating Science 

    student project spotlight

Ethics and Civic Engagement

Students taking notes

This course uses case studies and the analysis of historical and contemporary issues in order to examine ethical concerns related to civic discourse broadly understood. Such discourse includes advertising, journalism, marketing, political campaigning, public relations, social advocacy, and the use of mass and social media to effect societal change.

Media Law & Ethics

students in classroom

What is free speech? What is censorship? If today’s political debates have you confused about these topics (and you should be confused because most of the people screaming it don’t actually know!) then this class will help. In this online course, we will explore various hot 1st Amendment issues in today’s society - and the legal precedents that got us here. Issues include free speech, censorship, obscenity, defamation, intellectual property, and freedom of information as they pertain to traditional, digital and social media outlets. Content emphasizes both landmark Supreme Court decisions plus contemporary First Amendment debates facing the courts today as well as society at large. Material is presented through lecture and discussion.

Sport and Society

TD arena during basketball game

This course focuses on the societal impact of sport, oftentimes through a casestudy/issue-based approach. Through an analytical lens, we will broach fan culture, sport economics, race and gender implications, power structures of teams and players, and social issues. A variety of readings will provide context, and prominent guest speakers will address issues that permeate the sports culture. Students will learn from both a historical perspective, as well as by regular exposure to popular/current mainstream media outlets.

Communicating Science

Science Communication Students
Student presentations

Strong science communication is critical across various platforms: broadcast and print media, technical journals, public health blogs, social media, etc. This class offers students the opportunity to develop advanced communication skills through an exploration of issues in science (health, technology, and the environment). With an emphasis on advanced research and writing abilities, we will study talented science communicators, focus on noteworthy topics, and develop portfolios that demonstrate mastery of subject matter and communication theory. Possible topics include: genetic engineering, climate change, viral epidemics, or cyber‐security. Possible assignments include: advocacy briefings, science blogs, op‐ed articles, video projects, or public health programs. Along the way, we will discuss political, ethical, and social implications of communicating science.