You have probably already looked at the description of our undergraduate major
curriculum, and at our comprehensive list of courses (if you haven't, then
definitely check those out!)...but you still may need some basic advice about
scheduling. Read on: In your first semester at Villanova, you are
given a schedule that provides you with the courses you need in order to get
going on the Liberal Arts & Sciences Core Curriculum. When you are ready to
schedule courses beyond this, though, you have a great many more options
available to you.
1. if you're interested in Communication as a major (or a minor), you should
definitely take at least one (1), and ideally two (2), required COM
introductory course as part of your 2nd semester schedule! (Note: this is
not a requirement, just a recommendation that will definitely get you moving in
the major.)
2. in order to start taking advanced courses as quickly as possible, make
sure that you have taken at least one 2000-level course as soon as
possible--ideally, in the fall of your Sophomore year. (Note: this is not
a requirement, but these courses are prerequisites for ALL 3000-level COM
courses…so the sooner that you take a 2000-level course, the sooner you can take
an advanced COM course!)
Basically, if you start taking our courses Freshman year, then you get a nice
jump on your major coursework, which allows you explore early study abroad
possibilities (including our own "Summer
in Greece" program,
internships (including our exclusive
Internship at the Vatican), minors, and even multiple
specializations within our Department!
Basic Things to Note:
In order to declare COM as a major, you have to have a minimum GPA or 2.5 or
higher, and you have to at least be enrolled in the following two
courses:
*
COM 1000 - Surv of Communication Studies
. This course introduces you to the
broad range of our field, as well as to the theoretical issues involved in the
study of Communication. It should also help you choose from among our
specializations (Rhetorical Studies, Performance Studies, Interpersonal
Communication, Organizational Communication, Public Relations, Journalism, Media
Studies, Media Production).
*
COM 1100 - Public Speaking
. This course helps introduce you to the basics of
the public presentation of your ideas, including organization, argumentation,
delivery skills, and presentational technology.
Suggested Schedules for Com Majors:
First Year Students
* 1st Semester: Standard 1st year Villanova schedule;
* 2nd Semester: Ideally, COM 1000 AND COM 1100--or at least one of them.
Remainder: core classes.
Second Year Students
Are you interested in the Vatican internship program? Greece?
If so, ask about these now!
* 1st Semester: Remaining introductory course(s) (COM 1000, COM 1100, COM 1200),
and 1 COM 2000-level course (prerequisite for 3000-level COM courses).
Remainder: core classes (Natural Science, Ethics, other core courses). If you
are interested in Media Studies or Media Production, consider COM 1300, Film
Analysis, to fulfill your A&S fine arts requirement!
* 2nd Semester: Any remaining 1000- or 2000-level courses, and at least one or
two 3000-level COM courses. Remainder: core classes (Natural Science 2, Other
core classes). If you are interested in Media Studies or Media Production,
consider COM 1300, Film Analysis, to fulfill your A&S fine arts requirement!
Note: At some point during this second year, you might consider taking a
Computer Science course to fulfill one of your Core Math requirements.
* Summer: Study Abroad in Greece, or other VU study abroad!
Third Year Students
* 1st Semester: Remaining 2000-level COM course, 1 3000-level course, COM 4001 /
COM 4002 (prerequisite for COM 5050 ) or another 3000-level course. Remainder:
core classes/courses toward a minor.
* 2nd Semester: Remaining 3000-level COM courses, COM 4001 / COM 4002
(prerequisite for COM 5050 ). Remainder: core classes/courses toward a minor.
* Summer: Study Abroad in Greece, Internship
Fourth Year Students
* 1st Semester: Remaining 3000-level COM courses, COM 5050, core requirements,
courses toward a minor, and/or an internship.
* 2nd Semester: Remaining 3000-level COM courses, COM 5050, core requirements,
courses toward a minor, and/or an internship.
Please note that this is just a suggested schedule--due to AP credit, semesters
abroad, summer courses, double specializations, or double majors, you might
choose a slightly different path.
It can often be difficult to figure out how your other College core classes fit
with your requirements for the COM major--especially before you have been
assigned an advisor within our Department. So, if you would like to talk about
the program in more depth, discuss possible courses to take Freshman and
Sophomore year, or if you just want to hear more about our major, please drop by
the COM main office (SAC 203) or call the COM office (610.519.4750) to make an
appointment to talk to our Department Chairperson, Dr. Bryan Crable.
We're very excited about our courses and our curriculum, and we hope to see you
in our courses, and in our major!
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