Communication matters. From interactions with communities and cultures to work presentations to participation in democracy, communication plays a crucial role in shaping the world around us. By pursuing a BA in communication studies, you'll hone your practical communication skills as you lay the foundation for ethical and effective communication.
Our courses explore the role of communication in fostering high-quality human relations in interpersonal, organizational, cultural and public contexts. With flexible requirements, you are able to customize your experience to align with your interests and career goals.
Employers actively seek the career skills our students develop, including integrity, leadership, teamwork and the ability to analyze information and articulate ideas. Graduates pursue careers in fields as wide ranging as education, law, business, public relations, advertising, social work and human resources.
What Sets Us Apart
DU's communication studies program provides you with the opportunity to:
Become a more reflexive, ethical and effective communicator.
Explore community-engaged and arts-based methods.
Collaborate closely with a faculty of teacher-scholars.
Apply what you're learning outside the classroom through internships, study abroad or participation in activities such as the DU Debate Team.
Prepare for your career as a passionate educator or practitioner.
Degree Requirements
- To major in communication studies you will need to complete 40 credits. These include foundations, a performative course, two communication inquiry courses, and breadth and depth electives.
- For distinction in the major you will need to maintain a GPA of 3.75 in the major, 3.5 cumulative, complete three 3000-level courses in communication studies and complete a culminating project.
- For the secondary major you will complete 40 credit hours.
- For the minor you will complete 20 credit hours.
See the DU Undergraduate Bulletin for full course requirements.
Featured Courses
COMN 2000
Identities in Dialogue
About this Course
This course will explore the complex dynamics of social identities within U.S. society and globally, inspired by the intergroup dialogue model. We will explore the ways that race, gender, sexuality, class, ability, etc., function historically, socially, and politically, including the ways that social identities affect groups on and off campus. We will practice valuable dialogue skills, including listening, reflecting on personal and others' experiences, and planning and enacting collaboration across difference. This course has no prerequisites, but students may find it helpful to take COMN 1015, 1600, or 1700 before taking this course.
COMN 3470
Seminar in Free Speech
About this Course
This course will survey some of the major conceptual innovations in the justifications of freedom of speech. We will begin with an exploration of the traditional defenses of free speech and then move to a reexamination of those defenses in light of modern communication theory and the challenges of pluralism. In particular we will ask if the justifications of free speech need to be rethought given our understanding of speech as a social force that constitutes identities and values rather than merely expressing private opinions. Moreover, given our understanding of the social force of speech, should we regulate speech that is racist, sexist and seems to erode the foundations of a public culture based on mutual respect and public deliberation over social goods? Can we devise a robust defense of free speech based on its social force that both protects those that may be harmed by antidemocratic discourses and still provides the resources for democratic dissent?
COMN 3270
Health Communication
About this Course
This course examines the role of health communication in our everyday lives. We will focus on communication strategies that inform and influence individuals, families and communities in decisions that enhance health. We will also explore the dynamics and impact of health communication between individuals and the health care system such as doctor-patient communication, dissemination of health related information, and the role of mediated communication in examining health communication.
DU's Communication Studies program asks how communication shapes our world and ourselves.
Are you ready to learn more about Communication Studies at DU?
