Advancement to Candidacy
Requirements for Graduation
Communication Studies Track
Integrated Marketing Communication Track
Course Descriptions
To be advanced to candidacy, the student must:
- Select an advisor with the consent of the faculty member and the approval of the graduate coordinator.
- Prior to the completion of 16 units form a three-member advisory committee.
- Prior to the completion of 20 units, secure approval from student's advisory committee and graduate coordinator of a course of study and capstone experience.
- Advancement to Candidacy.
- A minimum of 45 units of acceptable graduate-level work with no fewer than 32 of these units at the 500 or 600 level.
- A GPA of at least 3.0 ("B") in all graduate course work, a "B-" or better in core courses and grades of "C" (2.0) or better in all elective courses in the program.
- A capstone experience of a comprehensive examination, thesis, or project approved by the student's advisory committee and graduate coordinator.
- Approval of the program, including capstone experience, and of the candidacy itself by the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Communication Studies Track (45 units)
- COMM 600: Introduction to Graduate Study (4)
- COMM 601: Intercultural Communication Theories (4)
- COMM 602: Quantitative Research Methods in Communication Studies (4)
- COMM 603: Qualitative Research Methods in Communication Studies (4)
- Electives (29 units)
Units are chosen to reflect some unifying theme and approved by the student's advisory committee and graduate coordinator.
COMM 502: Communication Law and Policy (4)
COMM 506: Media Sex and Violence (4)
COMM 511: Feminist Contributions to Communication Theories (4)
COMM 520: Integrated Marketing Communication (4)
COMM 522: Mediation Theory and Practice (4)
COMM 542: Issue Management and Crisis Communcation (4)
COMM 543: Environmental Communication (4)
COMM 580: Culture and Ethnicity in Language (4)
COMM 581: Contemporary Theories of Rhetoric (4)
COMM 584: Topics in Critical Communication (4)
COMM 585: Topics in Human Communication (4)
COMM 586:
COMM 587: Topics in Mass Communication (4)
COMM 588: Topics in Intercultural Communication (4)
COMM 589: Topics in Public Relations (4)
COMM 593: Communication Approaches to Area Studies (4)
COMM 609: Digital Cultures (4)
COMM 610: Media and Intercultural Relations (4)
COMM 620: Communication in Multicultural Organizations (4)
COMM 630: Instructional Communication (4)
COMM 670: Seminar in Conflict and Conflict Resolution (4)
COMM 671: International Communication (4)
COMM 672: Intercultural Peacemaking (4)
COMM 673: Advanced Mediation Skills
COMM 690: Seminar in Organization Communication (4)
COMM 691: Seminar in Public Relations (4)
COMM 692: Seminar in Interpersonal Communication (4)
COMM 693: Seminar in Mass Communication (4)
COMM 694: Seminar in Intercultural Communication (4)
COMM 695: Graduate Independent Study (2 - 5)
COMM 696: Practicum in Intercultural Living (2 - 5)
COMM 697: Graduate Internship (2 - 5)
COMM 698: Extended Enrollment (0) - Capstone Experience: Project/Thesis (5 units) or Comprehensive Exam (0 units)
COMM 686: Graduate Project (6)
COMM 699: Thesis (5)
COMM 999: Comprehensive Exam (0)
Integrated Marketing Communication Track (48 units)
Course Descriptions
502. Communication Law and Policy
Exploration and application of laws and regulations as they affect communication. Includes consideration of freedom of speech, libel and slander, intellectual property, broadcast regulations and privacy. (4 units)
520. Integrated Marketing Communication
An integrated perspective on the process of communicating marketing messages to promote products, services, ideas, people, causes and events. Advertising, direct marketing, personal selling, public relations, and sales promotion strategies are explored with consideration given to global, ethical and technology-related issues. (Also offered as MKTG 520. Students may not receive credit for both.) (4 units)
522. Mediation Theory and Practice
Exploration of the theories, methods, and techniques of mediation as a collaborative process of resolving conflicts among individuals, groups, organizations, and nations. Third party intervention skills needed to serve as a mediator are developed through simulation exercises. Formerly a topic under COMM 585. Prerequisite: COMM 422 or permission of instructor. (4 units)
542. Issue Management and Crisis Communication
Principles and methods of issue evaluation and crisis management in public relations communication including issue monitoring, issue analysis, policy options, program design, evaluation, and identification. Formerly a topic under COMM 585. Prerequisite: COMM 442 or equivalent or consent of instructor. (4 units)
580. Culture and Ethnicity in Language
Critical examination of the way language shapes perceptions, behaviors, and attitudes about culture and ethnicity. Formerly a topic under COMM 584. Prerequisite: COMM 304 or equivalent. (4 units)
581. Contemporary Theories of Rhetoric
Study of 20th century conceptualizations of rhetoric and intercultural communication with an emphasis on contemporary public discourse in different cultural settings. (4 units)
584. Topics in Critical Communication
Intensive study of selected topics in critical communication studies. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing. (4 units)
585. Topics in Human Communication
Special topics in human communication. May be repeated for credit as topics change. (4 units)
587. Topics in Mass Communication
Special topics in mass communication. May be repeated for credit as topics change. (4 units)
588. Topics in Intercultural Communication
Intensive study of selected topics in intercultural communication. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Prerequisite: COMM 304 or equivalent. (4 units)
589. Topics in Computer Mediated Communication
Intensive study of selected topics in computer mediated communication. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Prerequisite: COMM 309 or equivalent or permission of instructor. (4 units)
593. Communication Approaches to Area Studies
Examination of communication practices and issues within world regions and among cultural groups which may include the role of communication in political, economic, social and cultural conflict and change. May be repeated for credit as focus area changes. Prerequisite: COMM 304 or equivalent. A. Africa (4 units) B. Asia-Pacific (4 units) C. Europe (4 units) D. Latin America (4 units)
600. Introduction to Graduate Study
Theory building in communication research. The assumptions, methods, perspectives and theoretical frameworks for advanced research in communication studies. Recommended for first quarter of graduate study, must be taken within first year. (4 units)
601. Intercultural Communication Theories
Study of the relationship between culture and communication with emphasis given to an examination of current quantitative and interpretative theory and research. Implications and applications to various kinds of human relationships and various aspects of those relationships (e.g. interpersonal, organizational, national, international and mediated). Recommended for first quarter of graduate study, must be taken within the first year. (4 units)
602. Quantitative Research Methods in Communication Studies
Study design, data collection, and appropriate multivariate procedures for research through behavioral/quantitative approaches. Emphasis on research conducted in multicultural settings. Extensive work designing research instruments and employing computerized statistical applications. Prerequisite: COMM 600. (4 units)
603. Interpretive Approaches to Communication Studies
Theoretical treatises and exemplars in diverse areas which may include ethnographic, feminist, critical, and textual-discourse analysis. Emphasis on research conducted in multicultural settings. Extensive work in such interpretive methods as participant and nonparticipant observation, intensive interviewing, discourse analysis and criticism. Prerequisite: COMM 600. (4 units)
605. Introduction to Graduate Studies in Integrated Marketing Communication
Theory building in integrated marketing communication research. The assumptions, methods, perspectives, theoretical frameworks and case study analysis for advanced research in communication studies, marketing and advertising. Recommended for first quarter of graduate study, must be taken within first year. (4 units)
609. Digital Culture
Examination of the interactions among communication technology, new media, and culture with particular focus on intercultural and global communication. Prerequisite: COMM 309 or equivalent or permission of instructor. (4 units)
610. Media and Intercultural Relations
Focus on how media and intercultural communication shape one another, including the relationship between the public and private processes of technologically-mediated interaction, transformations in interpersonal relations, and the social construction of contemporary discourses and lifestyles. (4 units)
620. Communication in Multicultural Organizations
Study and analysis of communication patterns in multinational and multicultural organizational settings. Analysis of intercultural communication theories as sources of explanations and strategies for developing and managing a culturally diverse organization. (4 units)
630. Instructional Communication
Study of educational philosophies, models, approaches, and research in teaching communication, to include course design and student evaluation instruments with emphasis on application of instructional strategies in their teaching presentations. May not be taken in lieu of EDUC 603. (4 units)
670. Seminar in Conflict and Conflict Resolution
Survey course on the origins, history, models and theories of conflict and conflict resolution. Includes cultural issues, non-violent social movements, and the developing field of online conflict resolution. (4 units)
671. International Communication
Advanced study of issues in international communication in the context of globalization. Examination of the political, economic and cultural impact of communication across national boundaries, including news, entertainment, advertising, corporate communication, transborder data flows, and the Internet. (4 units)
672. Intercultural Peacemaking
Study of communication strategies for international and domestic peacemaking among diverse groups and interests. (4 units)
686. Graduate Project
Preparation of a graduate project under the direction of a faculty member, with the approval of the graduate director, and if an interdisciplinary study major, with the approval of the graduate program coordinator. Project proposals should be approved by the program coordinator in the quarter prior to enrollment in the course. Prerequisite: advancement to candidacy. (Credit to be arranged: 4 to 8 units)
689. Practicum for Teaching Assistants in Communication Studies
For students appointed as teaching assistants in communication studies. The course is designed to facilitate the development, refinement and maintenance of effective teaching methods and strategies. May be repeated for a total of three units. Graded credit/no credit. (1 unit)
690. Seminar in Organizational Communication
Intensive study of selected topics in organizational communication. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Prerequisite: COMM 421 or equivalent. (4 units)
691. Seminar in Public Relations
Intensive study of selected topics in public relations. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Prerequisite: COMM 341 or equivalent. (4 units)
692. Seminar in Interpersonal Communication
Intensive study of selected topics in interpersonal communication. May be repeated for credit as topics change. (4 units)
693. Seminar in Mass Communication
Intensive study of selected topics in mass communication. May be repeated for credit as topics change. (4 units)
694. Seminar in Intercultural Communication
Intensive study of selected topics in intercultural communication. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Prerequisite: COMM 304 or equivalent. (4 units)
695. Graduate Independent Study
Advanced reading/research on a specific topic relevant to the student's program of study. Prerequisite: approval by the student's committee. (Credit to be arranged: 2 to 5 units)
696. Practicum in Intercultural Living
Students will complete academic assignments based on, and during residence in a domestic or foreign community other than their own. Graded credit/no credit. Prerequisites: COMM 602 or 603, approval of student's committee; graduate level status with a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0. Student must secure a written agreement with a sponsoring agency and departmental approval of that agreement. (Credit to be arranged: 2 to 5 units)
697. Internship in Communication
Supervised work experience in which the student completes academic assignments integrated with off-campus paid or volunteer activities. Graded credit/no credit. A maximum of five units of credit in COMM 697 will be accepted toward the M.A. degree. Prerequisites: approval of student's committee; graduate level status with a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 ("B"). Student must secure a written agreement with the supervising agency in which the internship will take place and departmental approval of that agreement. (Credit to be arranged: 2 to 5 units)
698. Extended Enrollment
Independent study leading to completion of requirements for the master's degree. To maintain continuous enrollment, graduate students who have completed course work should enroll in COMM 698 until thesis or comprehensive examination is completed. (Note: students who enroll through Extended Learning and taking no other courses through the regular university have access only to the library and are subject to the campus matriculation policy. See Page 39.)
699. Thesis
Independent graduate research culminating in a written thesis. Prerequisites: approval of prospectus by the student's advisory committee, advancement to candidacy, completion of all other required courses for the M.A. or consent of department. (5 units)
999. Comprehensive Examination
An assessment of the student's ability to integrate the knowledge of the area, show critical and independent thinking and demonstrate mastery of the subject matter. Prerequisites: advancement to candidacy, approval of department, completion of course work in the master's program, and in good academic standing. (0 unit)
