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. And, if you're interested in
Communication as a major (or a minor), you should definitely consider taking at
least one course in COM as part of your 2nd semester schedule!
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 (class of 2009 and
beyond)
First Year Students
- 1st Semester: Standard 1st year Villanova schedule;
- 2nd Semester: At least one of the two required courses (e.g.
COM 1000
and/or
COM 1100
), and preferably both. Remainder: core classes.
Second Year Students
- 1st Semester:
COM 1000
or
COM 1100
(unless you took both during your first
year), and COM 1200. Remainder: core classes (Natural Science, Ethics, other
core courses).
- 2nd Semester: Any remaining required courses, and at least one 2000-level COM
course (which serve as prerequisites for our 3000-level courses). Remainder:
core classes (Natural Science 2, Other core classes).
Note: If you're interested in Media Studies or Media Production, we recommend
you take
COM 1300
, Film Analysis, for your Fine Arts requirement during your 2nd
year. You also should consider taking a Computer Science course to fulfill one
of your Core Math requirements.
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: 1-2 3000-level COM courses,
COM 4001
/
COM 4002
(prerequisite for
COM 5050
) or additional 3000-level course. 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 new curriculum, and we hope to see
you in our courses, and in our major!
|
