Programs of Study

 

Communication Studies

The tutorial program in Communication Studies is designed to provide the student with a comprehensive understanding of communication theory as well as a focus in a specialized area of the field. The first two years of the program include core classes taken with other COMS majors, optional tutorials in other core classes, and customized tutorials developed by the student in consultation with the Director of Studies. The third and fourth years focus on development of research methods, advanced topics, the honors thesis, and preparation for a career or graduate education. Because cross-cultural communication is increasingly important in today's world, students also are encouraged to study abroad and learn a second language during their undergraduate years.

PROGRAM GOALS

Flexibility- Some requirements may be fulfilled through either tutorials or classroom courses. Specialized tutorials will explore topics in communicatoin studies developed by the student in conjunction with the Director of Studies. Students will also develop expertise in a related area of individual intellectual or professional interest during the course of their program.

Teamwork- Required courses will not only integrate honors students into the COMS student community, but also develop skills and knowledge for working with and understanding other people.

Performance - An HTC COMS major should be able to put theory into practice. Thus, two of the required coures teach communication performance as well as theory.

Challenge - All tutorials will cover specialized subject matter in depth. Students conduct research throughout their program of study. Student research culminates in a thesis that makesan original contribution to knowldge in the field of communication. COMS honors majors are encouraged to share their research through writing and public presentations for the COMS community and other stakeholders.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

All COMS honors students are expected to meet Honors Tutorial College requirements for admission, continued enrollment and graduation. In addition, the following requirements must be fulfilled.

COMS classroom courses: Topics to be covered in a COMS classroom course or tutorial:

Classroom courses outside of COMS:

TUTORIALS

Each quarter the student will complete a tutorial of at least 5 credit hours on a topic chosen in consultation with and approved by the Director of Studies and the faculty tutor. In the first quarter of the first year, the student will complete an Introductory Tutorial, which may cover such topics as interpersonal relationships, communication contexts (small groups, health, public advocacy), scholarly writing, and research traditions. Every tutorial will cover its theme in depth and will conclude with a significant product appropriate to the topic. Tutorials are geared to each student's specific interests and career plans.

COMS has a nationally recognized graduate program. Students in their fourth year may enroll in selected COMS graduate classes in lieu of tutorials with permission of the director of studies and the graduate faculty member. Students who choose to study abroad may have one or more of the above required courses and/or tutorials waived by the Director of Studies.

THESIS

Each student is required to write a thesis on a topic in communication studies developed in consultation with and approved by the Director of Studies. Each student publicly presents a summary of the completed thesis to the COMS HTC community. Tutorials during the third year prepare the student to develop a topic and appropriate research methods. Tutorials during the fourth year focus on thesis research and writing.

EVALUATION

The student will participate each quarter in a tutorial of at least 5 credit hours on a topic chosen in consultation with and approved by the Director of Studies and the faculty tutor. The student should expect to write a substantial paper in each tutorial. Over the course of the term, as the tutorial develops in response to the student's interests and needs, the tutor may also assign some smaller pieces of writing as well as other activities, such as oral presentations, appropriate to the work of the tutorial. The student and tutor will often determine together what kind(s) of writing or other activity will constitute an appropriate synthesis of the student's tutorial work; the faculty member will always advise the student how grades on written and other assignments will relate to the grade filed for the tutorial as a whole.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information about this program, write or call:

Dr. Judith Yaross Lee
Professor and Director of Studies
School of Communication Studies
Ohio University
Lasher Hall 111
Athens, OH 45701
(740) 593-4844
leej@ohio.edu

Additional information can be found on the School of Communication Studies web site, www.coms.ohiou.edu.