LMU's Communication Studies Department provides students with the communication competencies to pursue their personal, professional, and civic goals. Our department fosters the development of the whole person, promotes a commitment to social justice and cultural diversity, and confronts the most pressing contemporary political, social, and ethical issues of our time. To this end, we prepare students to communicate effectively in the service of human dignity and rights, civic engagement, and global equity.
Four-Year Graduation Plan - Communication Studies
Fall 2022 Courses Offered in CMST
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This course introduces students to the field of communication studies. Students will study the field’s disciplinary history, the nature of theory, and foundational concepts from multiple sub-fields within the discipline.
Majors Only
Must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
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This course overviews the research process, with an emphasis on the foundational skills necessary to conduct original research, including: generating research questions, developing scholarly arguments, locating, retrieving and evaluating sources, and actual data collection methods. Students will also be introduced to basic aspects of writing for the discipline, as well as expectations for scholarly ethics and proper citation of sources.
Must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
Majors only.
Pre-req: CMST 1600.
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This course is designed to introduce the students to interpersonal and small group communication theories, processes, and skills. The course challenges students to examine their own communication behaviors and focus on their strengths and weaknesses as a way to develop and apply new communication skills and proficiencies. The course includes a variety of oral and written presentations at both the individual and group levels.
Must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
Majors only.
Pre-req: CMST 1600 and CMST 1700.
Flag: Quantitative Reasoning (LQTR).
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A study of the principles and theories of human communication related to cross cultural encounters. This course emphasizes understanding the relationship between persons and culture and for improving communication between persons from different cultural backgrounds.
Must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
Majors only.
Pre-req: CMST 1600 and CMST 1700.
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This course is designed to introduce the students to the field of organizational communication and the relationship between organization and communication. The course is designed to allow students to examine a range of organizational communication perspectives, theories, issues, and constructs. At the same time, students are encouraged to explore the ways these perspectives shape, expand, and limit our understanding of communication and organizing. Significantly, the course encourages critical and analytical thinking by using the course content as a basis for critique.
Must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
Majors only.
Pre-req: CMST 1600 and CMST 1700.
Flag: Quantitative Reasoning (LQTR).
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This course provides a survey of major rhetorical themes and theories, including classical, symbolic, argumentation, critical, feminist, and non-Western approaches to rhetoric. Students will explore the relationship between rhetorical theory and practice, the contributions of rhetorical theory to the social world, and the potential for rhetorical studies to inform issues of democratic governance, marginalized groups, social justice, and technology in society.
Must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
Majors only.
Pre-req: CMST 1600 and CMST 1700.
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This course introduces students to three key areas in the field of media and communication: 1) media industries, circulation and the political economy of media; 2) the legacy of British Cultural Studies in exploring identity, resistance and the active audience; 3) media effects, including quantitative audience reception studies and ethnographic approaches to audience analysis. Students will be encouraged to directly engage with the political, social, cultural and economic influence of evolving technologies and mediums in our digitally mediated global environments.
Must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
Majors only.
Pre-req: CMST 1600 and CMST 1700.
Flag: Quantitative Reasoning (LQTR).
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This course provides advanced training in argumentation skills, including logical reasoning, the use of evidence, and effective organization of content. Students will conduct topical research and prepare oral and written arguments.
Must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
Majors only.
Pre-req: CMST 1600 and CMST 1700.
University Core Fulfilled/Flag: Oral Skills and Information Literacy (LORS)/(LINL).
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Advanced Topic courses are advanced courses in which students "apply" communication concepts, theories and research methods to address "real world" issues/problems in concrete contexts. They range in subject matter and conceptual content, yet remain consistent with our departmental mission in social justice, requiring students to apply their knowledge for the purpose of sustaining a more humane and livable world. Advanced Topic courses are creative and/or theoretical in focus in the critique and/or production of persuasive messages (in oral, written, visual, or electronic form) adapted to target audiences to accomplish ethical and effective change.
Students learn to analyze communication messages, understand the relationship between communication, audience, and context, and demonstrate a commitment to cultivating critical thinking skills about the complex role of communication in society locally and globally. Advanced Topic courses may also offer student opportunities to develop their group and community-oriented communication skills by working in teams or partnering with organizations on and/or off-campus in service learning contexts or internships. Advanced Topic courses vary semester to semester. Please check the current semester schedule to see if a particular course is being offered.
Any of the 4 courses (3xxx) in the link below will also meet the graduation requirement:
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This capstone course examines various ways rhetorical theories may be applied to discourse in order to highlight methods of rhetorical criticism. Requires substantial original textual analysis.
Must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
Major only.
Jr./Sr. standing.
Pre-req: CMST 2400 and one course in the 3400-3495 range.
University Core fulfilled/Flag: Writing (LWRT).
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This capstone requires students to use advanced qualitative research methods and appropriate communication theories to examine a human communication phenomenon within a particular social context.
Must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
Major only.
Jr./Sr. standing.
Pre-req: CMST 2100, CMST 2200, or CMST 2300, and one course in the CMST 3100-3195, CMST 3200-3295, or CMST 3300-3395 range.
University Core Fulfilled/Flag: Writing (LWRT).