Revised 1/17/13
For Registrar’s Use only
Code # MCOM14
New Emphasis/Concentration or Option Proposal-Bulletin Change Transmittal Form
x Undergraduate Curriculum Council - Print 1 copy for signatures and save 1 electronic copy.
New Certificate or Degree Program (The following critical elements are taken directly from the Arkansas Department of
Higher Education’s “Criteria and Procedures for Preparing Proposals for New Programs”.) Please complete the following and
attach a copy of the catalogue page(s) showing what changes are necessary..
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Department Curriculum Committee Chair
Department Chair:
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COPE Chair (if applicable)
General Education Committee Chair (If applicable)
College Curriculum Committee Chair
Undergraduate Curriculum Council Chair
College Dean
Graduate Curriculum Committee Chair
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
1. Proposed Program Title
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies Emphasis in Organizational Communication
2. CIP Code Requested
5.11.6
3. Contact Person (Name, Email Address, Phone Number)
Matthew Thatcher, mthatcher@astate.edu, 870 972-2677
4. Proposed Starting Date
Fall 2014
Revised 1/17/13
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Department of Communication
Associate Professor Marceline Hayes, Interim Chair
Professors: Fowler
Associate Professors: Hill
Assistant Professors: Clark, Hall, Harper, Pan, Randle, Thatcher
Instructors: Moskal, Scott
The Department of Communication offers a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication.
Students may choose an optional
emphasis in public communication, interpersonal communication, or organizational communication in the
Communication Studies program.
Students can emphasize in advertising or public relations in the Strategic Communication Program.
COMMUNICATION STUDIES PROGRAM:
Communication Studies focuses on the ways that people make use of both verbal and nonverbal messages to generate meanings within various
contexts, cultures, and media. Since 75% of a person’s day is spent communicating in some way, the importance of being able to communicate clearly
cannot be overemphasized. Communication skills are essential to personal satisfaction and academic success, as well as employment.
Courses provide a strong theoretical foundation in communication as well as an emphasis on improvement in practical communication skills. Majors
in Communication Studies have the flexibility to focus on specific areas of interest while obtaining a thorough understanding of communication. Students
may also choose to become involved with departmental activities such as the debate team or Lambda Pi Eta, the national honor society for
communication students.
Revised 1/17/13
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION PROGRAM:
Strategic Communication uses public relations, advertising, social media, and organizational communication to build mutually beneficial
relationships with key stakeholders. Effective organizations use strategic communication to help achieve their goals and objectives and recognize that
groups inside and outside the organizations are critical to their success. Communication is strategic when it uses research and evaluation to determine
how goals and objectives are effectively reached.
Students graduating from this program will know and understand how to use advertising, public relations, social media, branding, crisis
communication, media relations, research methods and evaluation tools to help organizations communicate with their publics. They will be prepared to
work for companies big and small, governmental agencies, and nonprofit organizations such as universities, hospitals, museums and NGOs.
Students earning a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication must complete the following:
1. Take at least 72 hours outside of the three Bachelor of Science degrees offered in the College of Media and Communication.
2. A minor outside of the College of Media and Communication. The minor must be approved by the student’s advisor.
3. Earn no more than three hours of internship credit towards the 120 hours required for graduation.
4. Take a senior exit exam on the study day prior to final exams of his or her last semester of enrollment.
5. Complete an exit survey and submit a resume prior to graduation.
P. 283
Major in Communication Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Emphasis in Organizational Communication
University Requirements:
See University General Requirements for Baccalaureate degrees (p. 40)
First Year Making Connections
Course:
UC 1013, Making Connections
General Education Requirements:
See General Education Curriculum for
Sem. Hrs.
3
Sem. Hrs.
35
Baccalaureate Degrees (p. 82)
Students with this major must take the
following:
CMAC 1003, Mass Communication in Modern
Society
COMS 1203, Oral Communication (Required
Departmental Gen. Ed. Option)
College of Media and
Communication Core Courses:
Sem. Hrs.
Revised 1/17/13
(See Beginning of Media and Communication
4
Section)
Major Requirements:
Sem. Hrs.
COMS 2313, Communication Theory
3
COMS 2243, Principles of Argumentation
3
COMS 2373, Introduction to Interpersonal
3
Communication
COMS 3363, Human Communication Research
3
Methods
Communication Studies Electives (6 hours must
9
be upper-level)
AD 3023, Principles of Advertising
COMS 2253, Introduction to Health Communication
COMS 3203, Business and Professional
Communication
COMS 3243, Principles of Persuasion
COMS 3373, Gender Communication
COMS 3253, Principles of Listening
COMS 4203, Small Group Communication
COMS 4243, Interpersonal Communication
COMS 4253, Intercultural Communication
COMS 4263, Organizational Communication
COMS 4323, Communication in Personal
Relationships
COMS 4373, Conflict Resolution
COMS 4383, Computer Mediated Communication
COMS 4403, Health Communication
COMS 4423, Narratives in Health and Healing
PR 3003, Principles of Public Relations
PR 4603, Crisis Communication
Sub-total
30
Revised 1/17/13
Emphasis Area
(Organizational
Communication):
COMS 3203, Business and
Professional
Communication
COMS 4203, Small Group
Communication
COMS 4263, Organizational
Communication
COMS 4443,
Communication and
Leadership
12
45
Electives
Total Required Hours:
120
P. 284
P. 487
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COMS 2373. Introduction to Interpersonal Communication A study of interpersonal communication. Prerequisite,
COMS 1203. Spring.
COMS 3203. Business and Professional Communication Communication needs of people in business and
professional settings. Fall, Spring.
COMS 3211. Intercollegiate Debate Study and practice of intercollegiate debate. May be repeated for credit. Demand.
COMS 3243. Principles of Persuasion Theory and practice of persuasion as an instrument in motivating human
conduct. Fall.
COMS 3253. Principles of Listening Principles of listening in the communication process, emphasis on listening
improvement. Fall, even.
COMS 3363. Communication Research Methods Principles of listening in the communication process, emphasis on
listening improvement. Fall, even.
COMS 3373. Gender Communication Study of the interrelationship between communication and gender in various
contexts. Spring, odd.
COMS 3433. Communication Criticism Provides critical approaches from the humanistic condition engaging media,
public discourse, and interpersonal communication. Prerequisites, COMS 1203, or PHIL 1503 or PHIL 1103. Summer.
COMS 4203. Small Group Communication Group and conference techniques for classroom, business, and professional
situations. Spring, Summer.
COMS 4243. Interpersonal Communication Emphasis on increasing students capacity for openness, sensitivity, and
objective appraisal. Fall, Summer.
COMS 4253. Intercultural Communication Identification of barriers and breakdowns to communication among cultures.
Spring.
COMS 4263. Organizational Communication Dynamics and theories of communication within an organization. Spring,
even.
COMS 431V. Special Problems Prerequisite, permission of instructor. May be repeated twice with different topics.
Demand.
COMS 4373. Conflict Resolution Conflict as a communication variable COMS 4323. Communication in Personal
Relationships The course covers interpersonal communication in the context of personal relationships, such as
romantic relationships, friendships, professional relationships, and family relationships. Fall, odd.
created through interpersonal interaction in dyads, small groups, families, and organizations. Dual listed SCOM 5373.
Summer.
COMS 4383. Computer Mediated Communication This course considers how identities, relationships and communities
are created and influenced by our use of computers and the internet. We will gain understanding of these processes
by engaging new media scholarship and activities involving different forms of new media. Dual listed as SCOM 5383.
Prerequisite, COMS 1203. Spring. 488
COMS 4403. Seminar in Health Communication Study of the major cultural, interpersonal, and public communication
issues affecting health communication. Spring, odd.
COMS 4423. Narratives in Health and Healing Explores the social construction of health, illness, and healing through
the study narrative. Dual listed as SCOM 5423. Spring.
COMS 4443 Communication and Leadership Leadership and communication in
organizations and society.
Public Relations (PR)
Revised 1/17/13
PR 3003. Principles of Public Relations Nature and theoretical foundation of public relations, its role in society,
practitioners and dynamics of the process. Fall, Spring, Summer.
PR 3013. Public Relations Tools and Techniques Analysis and application of public relations tools and techniques with
an emphasis on public relations writing, specialized publications, and strategy for working with corporate and
noncorporate organizations. Prerequisite, CMAC 2003, MMJ 2013, and PR 3003. Fall, Spring.
PR 4013. Public Relations Practicum and Professional Development Advanced PR course requiring application of
skills in supervised work with various businesses, institutions, organizations and social agencies. Student will work a
minimum of 10 hours per week outside the classroom with assigned workplace mentor. Consent of instructor required.
Fall, Spring.
PR 4023. Public Opinion, Propaganda and the Mass Media Survey of public opinion formation and change, with
special attention to the role of the mass media in the creation and use of public opinion and propaganda. Fall.
PR 4033. Public Relations Case Studies and Campaigns Study of recent public relations cases and campaigns
involving business, industry, institutions, and government. Students create a comprehensive public relations
campaign for a given client. Prerequisites, MMJ 3363, PR 3013, and PRAD 3143. Spring.
PR 4113. Integrated Marketing Communications Focuses on the strategic integration of various channels and methods
of communications for the purpose of delivering key messages to diverse target audiences in order to elicit specific
responses, create a dialogue and engender relationship building. Prerequisite, AD 3023, or PR 3003, or MKTG 3013.
Fall, Spring.
PR 4603. Crisis Communication An investigation of communications during crises, focusing on public relations,
advertising and other persuasive efforts by institutions, corporations, movement leaders, and citizens to describe,
persuade and shape human interactions with their environment during a crisis. Fall, Spring.
PR 4633. Trending Topics Exploration of current topics and issues in public relations and advertising.
P. 489
Revised 1/17/13
LETTER OF NOTIFICATION – 3
NEW OPTION, CONCENTRATION, EMPHASIS
(Maximum 18 semester credit hours of new theory courses and 6 credit hours of new practicum courses)
1. Institution submitting request:
Arkansas State University, Department of Communication
2. Contact person/title:
Matthew Thatcher, Assistant Professor of Communication
3. Phone number/e-mail address:
870 972 2677
4. Proposed effective date:
Fall 2014
5. Title of degree program:
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
6. CIP Code:
5.11.6
7. Degree Code:
To be determined
8. Proposed option/concentration/emphasis name:
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies Emphasis in Organizational Communication
9. Reason for proposed action:
In response to internal review of the Communication Studies Degree Program, including suggestions from program graduates,
a review of similar Communication Studies programs, an analysis of career opportunities for communication students and a
survey of current students, the Department of Communication has decided to create emphasis areas. The survey of current
students indicated 87% of students are in favor of adding the organizational communication emphasis area. 15% of current
students indicate they would choose this emphasis area if they were just beginning their degree program and 13% indicated
they were likely to choose this option to complete their current degree program if available in Fall 2014. This emphasis area
will provide students the necessary communication knowledge and skills for successful integration in a variety of professional
settings.
10. New option/concentration/emphasis objective
The organizational communication emphasis provides students the necessary knowledge and skills for successful transition
into careers in corporate communication.
Revised 1/17/13
11. Provide the following:
a. Curriculum outline - List of required courses
General Education:
CMAC 1003, Mass Communication in Modern Society
COMS 1203, Oral Communication
College Core:
CMAC 2053, Introduction to Visual Communication
CMAC 3001, Professional Seminar
Core: Each of the following (12 Hours)
COMS 2313
Communication Theory
COMS 2243
Introduction to Argumentation
COMS 2373
Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
COMS 3363
Human Communication Research Methods
Emphasis area courses: Each of the following (12 Hours)
COMS 3203
Business and Professional Communication
COMS 4203
Small Group Communication
COMS 4263
Organizational Communication
COMS 4433
Communication and Leadership (New Course)
Communication Studies Electives (9Hours)
b. New course descriptions
COMS 4443 Communication and Leadership Leadership and communication in organizations and society.
c. Program goals and objectives
The Department of Communication goals and objectives are: To provide rigorous study in human communication theory,
research, and practices for the purposes of advancing the study of communication and developing ethical and competent
communicators.
Revised 1/17/13
d. Expected student learning outcomes
The learning outcomes from the emphasis area are the same as the department goals.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Identify and describe communication concepts and theories
Analyze and evaluate communication phenomena
Intervene and correct communication problems
Design and deliver effective communication messages
Conduct and evaluate communication research
Discuss the importance of difference and diversity in communication
12. Will the new option be offered via distance delivery?
No
13. Mode of delivery to be used:
Lecture
14. Explain in detail the distance delivery procedures to be used:
Not applicable
15. Is the degree approved for distance delivery?
No
16. List courses in option/concentration/emphasis. Include course descriptions for new courses.
Core: Each of the following (12 Hours)
COMS 3203
Business and Professional Communication
COMS 4203
Small Group Communication
COMS 4263
Organizational Communication
COMS 4433
Communication and Leadership (New Course Description: Leadership and communication in organizations
and society.)
17. Specify the amount of the additional costs required, the source of funds, and how funds will be used.
No new costs are required to offer the emphasis area. Current faculty is available to teach courses required in the emphasis
area.
President/Chancellor Approval Date: Enter date...
Board of Trustees Notification Date: Enter date...
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Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
ENTER DATE…
Revised 1/17/13