Nov 15, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog | 2023-2024 
    
Undergraduate Catalog | 2023-2024 Previous Edition

Communication Studies, Rhetoric, Culture, and Social Change Concentration, B.A.


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The Rhetoric, Culture, and Social Change concentration is designed for those students desiring a well-developed background in the use, theory, construction, and analysis of public messages.  The course of study provides training in individual public communication skills and provides a foundation for the analysis and evaluation of advocacy discourse.

All program-level Admissions and Progression Requirements are in addition to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Admission Requirements .

Admission Requirements


Freshmen and Transfers

Students who apply for the Communication Studies major are initially classified as Pre-Communication Studies majors until they meet the following requirements.

  • See University Admission Requirements  
  • Minimum GPA:  2.0
  • Pre-Major/Prerequisite Courses:  Students planning to change to or declare Communication Studies as their major must have received a minimum grade of C in the following:
  • Students who do not meet requirements for admission because of special circumstances may petition the Department of Communication Studies for acceptance into the program.
  • Transferable Credit Hours:  24

Currently Enrolled Students

  • Declaration of Major:  Students are initially classified as Pre-Communication Studies (PCOM) majors until they meet the above requirements.  Change of Major forms are accepted year-round after the student has attended a Communication Studies orientation/advising session. 
  • 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. ​

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 above and successful (grade C or above) completion of COMM 1101 , COMM 2100 , COMM 2104  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.

Degree Requirements


The program leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies requires 120 credit hours. In addition to the requirements for the Communication Studies major, students may also complete coursework in a specific concentration of study, or electives as specified for those students who are completing the major without a concentration.  Courses that are required within a particular concentration or used as electives within the concentration cannot simultaneously be used to fulfill Major Course requirements.  The concentrations are designed to provide students with the opportunity to pursue more extensive study in the communication context most relevant to their professional and social goals.

General Education Courses (31-32 credit hours)


For details on required courses, refer to the General Education Program 

Foreign Language Requirement (0-8 credit hours)


For details, refer to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Foreign Language Requirement .

Communication Studies Core Courses (21 credit hours)


The Communication Studies Core Courses are designed to provide a thorough understanding of fundamental communication processes and are structured into two categories:

Concentration Courses (18 credit hours)


Elective Concentration Courses (9 credit hours)


Select from the following:

Notes:

*Requires approval of advisor.
**May be repeated but no more than 3 credit hours will apply to meeting this elective requirement.
***May not be used to satisfy both the required concentration course and the elective concentration course.

Unrestricted Elective Courses


As needed to complete the credit hours required for graduation.

Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours


Honors Program


For details about the Honors Program in Communication Studies, visit the program page .

Progression Requirements


Students must earn a grade of C or better in COMM 1101 , COMM 2100 , COMM 2104  and STAT 1222 , and a 2.0 GPA overall in their major courses. 

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