MEMO FORM
COURSE AND CURRICULUM PROPOSAL
*To: Dr. Janet Levy, Chair
Undergraduate Course and Curriculum Committee
From: Dr. Shawn Long, Chair
Dept. of Communication Studies
Date: November 30, 2010
Re: Changes in Foreign Language Requirement for Communication Studies
Majors
SUMMARY:
The Department of Communication Studies proposes to add its foreign language requirement for
the B.A. in Communication Studies as a threshold requirement for Pre-Communication students
who are declaring the Communication Studies major proper.
Proposed Changes to Catalog Copy (additions in bold)
Admission Requirements. Students matriculated at UNC Charlotte and planning to change to
or declare Communication Studies as their major must have an overall GPA of at least 2.0, met
the foreign language requirement for the major, and no grade less than C in COMM 1101,
COMM 2100, and either STAT 1220 or STAT 1222. Students may attempt COMM 2100 a
maximum of two times.
Transfer students from other institutions must meet all general requirements for admission to
the University. Acceptance into the Communication Studies major requires that they have met
the foreign language requirement for the major, no grade less than a C in COMM 1101 or its
equivalent, COMM 2100 or its equivalent, and either STAT 1220 or STAT 1222.
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Matriculated and transfer students who do not meet requirements for admission to the
program because of special circumstances may petition the Department of Communication
Studies for acceptance into the program.
Pre-Communication Studies. Students who apply for the Communication Studies major are
initially classified as Pre-Communication Studies majors until they meet the following
requirements; cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, successful completion of a foreign language
course at the 2000 level or higher in a Latin alphabet language or American Sign Language
or 1202 in a non-Latin alphabet language, and successful (grade C or better) completion of
COMM 1101; COMM 2100, and either STAT 1220 or STAT 1222. Students matriculated at
UNC Charlotte and planning to change or declare Pre-Communication Studies as their major
must have an overall GPA of at least 2.0.
Rationale
The Communication Studies program is committed to preparing its students for the changing
global world in which they will live. In order to enhance their preparation, the department
believes that students seeking a career in the Communication field must (1) undertake significant
foreign language study; and (2) be encouraged to pursue additional foreign language study. In
order to ensure the former and promote the latter, it is preferable that students have completed
the department’s major requirement for a foreign language prior to beginning their major studies
in Communication. It is not tenable to create a situation in which students can complete all their
Communication coursework but are then unable to successfully master a foreign language.
Students who cannot master a foreign language should learn that early in their college careers so
that they can elect a different course of study. Further, the sooner students complete the
advanced foreign language course, the more likely they are to take additional courses in that
language.
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FOR CONSULTATION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS:
1. Does the proposed change affect other departments?
____X____Yes ________ No
2. If Yes, please list the other departments affected by the proposed change:
Dept. of Languages and Culture Studies
3. Have you consulted with each department listed in question 2 regarding the proposed
change?
___X_____Yes ________No
4. Result(s) of Consultation(s):
Consulted with Dr. Robert Reimer, Chair of Languages and Culture Studies. He fully
supports this proposal and encourages us to proceed. Email dated 12/1/2010:
Shawn,
I support your proposal. Besides perhaps relieving some of the pressure on Communication Studies, it
will reduce the stress on students who “discover” in their final semester that there was a three semester
language requirement.
Robert
Robert C. Reimer, PhD l Chair and Professor of German
UNC Charlotte l Department of Languages and Culture Studies
9201 University City Blvd. l Charlotte, NC 28223
704.687.8767
rcreimer@uncc.edu l http://www.uncc.edu
If you are not the intended recipient of this transmission or a person responsible for delivering it to the
intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or other use of any of the information in this
transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify me
immediately by reply e-mail or by telephone at 704-687-8767. Thank you.
RESOURCES: Indicate the additional resources required, if any, to implement and
maintain the proposed change:
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No additional resources are required.
PROPOSED CATALOG COPY:
Proposed Catalog Copy:
Admission Requirements. Students matriculated at UNC Charlotte and planning to change to
or declare Communication Studies as their major must have an overall GPA of at least 2.0, met
the foreign language requirement for the major, and no grade less than C in COMM 1101,
COMM 2100, and either STAT 1220 or STAT 1222. Students may attempt COMM 2100 a
maximum of two times.
Transfer students from other institutions must meet all general requirements for admission to
the University. Acceptance into the Communication Studies major requires that they have met
the foreign language requirement for the major, no grade less than a C in COMM 1101 or its
equivalent, COMM 2100 or its equivalent, and either STAT 1220 or STAT 1222.
Matriculated and transfer students who do not meet requirements for admission to the
program because of special circumstances may petition the Department of Communication
Studies for acceptance into the program.
Pre-Communication Studies. Students who apply for the Communication Studies major are
initially classified as Pre-Communication Studies majors until they meet the following
requirements; cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, successful completion of a foreign language
course at the 2000 level or higher in a Latin alphabet language or American Sign Language or
1202 in a non-Latin alphabet language, and successful (grade C or better) completion of COMM
1101; COMM 2100, and either STAT 1220 or STAT 1222. Students matriculated at UNC
Charlotte and planning to change or declare Pre-Communication Studies as their major must
have an overall GPA of at least 2.0.
*NOTE: Proposals for undergraduate courses should be sent to the Undergraduate Course and
Curriculum Committee Chair. Proposals for graduate courses should be sent to the Graduate
Council Chair. Proposals related to both undergraduate and graduate courses, e.g., courses colisted at both levels, must be sent to both.
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