Prospective Undergraduate FAQs
1. What is Communication?
Communication explores how and why people communicate in a multitude of public and private settings such as in close relationships, the family, the workplace and via media and technology. Many Communication researchers are interested in learning about the individual and societal effects of a particular form of communication. Some questions our faculty study include how people communicate in dating relationships, how mass media shapes society’s perception of race, and how leadership and communication interface in a wide variety of settings.
2. Do all Communication classes require students to give speeches?
Some do, such as CMN/SPCM 101, 111/112, 113, 211, 220, and 321, but not all. Many of our courses help you improve your oral communication skills. See courses for further information.
3. Are CMN/SPCM 101 and CMN/SPCM 102 a required sequence like CMN/SPCM 111/112?
No, they are very different courses; however, if you did not take 111/112, we encourage you take 101 to develop the skills that will enhance your studies in Communication.
4. Does Communication offer a minor?
Yes, we do offer a minor. The undergraduate minor in Communication is designed for students who wish to obtain a deeper understanding of communication processes and how they influence social, cultural, and political processes. It is appropriate for students majoring in a variety of disciplines in the social sciences or humanities and for students in professionally-oriented programs.
5. Which classes should I take to see if I want to major in Communication?
To explore the major, we recommend that you enroll in102, Introduction to Communication Theory and Research, or 277, The Media of Public Discourse (both satisfy a General Education requirement) or 230, Introduction to Interpersonal Communication. These classes satisfy three of the four categories for the major, while helping you survey the variety of subjects Communication investigates.
6. I really like the Communication classes I have taken, but am not clear on what Communication does. What does a Communication major study?
As a Liberal Arts major, Communication allows you to explore all sorts of communication forms; you are not glued to a particular specialty. Instead you choose from a series of representative courses of the discipline—interpersonal and small group communication, persuasion, rhetoric, and criticism and public discourse—to help you discover your particular interests in the field of communication. You do not have to take these courses in a sequence and you can take other Communication courses at the same time. While some students choose a specialty like organizational communication, others take the salad bar approach to the major, picking and choosing what interests him or her.
7. How will majoring in Communication prepare me for my professional life?
Communication is a broad-based liberal arts education that develops your critical thinking abilities in your consumption and production of messages and prepares you for effective problem-solving. As a Communication student, you will become fluent in many modes of human communication and learn to read, write and speak critically and confidently. You will learn to interpret a variety of texts from films and speeches to complex political arguments. You will also gain experience in conducting a variety of research and working in groups. When polled, employers consistently report that they want employees who can perform these skills. Many employers also express frustration with their employees’ inability to communicate effectively. As a Communication major, you will gain the necessary skills of communicating effectively in your written and oral work. Whether you go into event planning or on to law school, by majoring in Communication you are preparing yourself for the challenges that await professionals.
8. What do most Communication majors do after graduation?
Our graduates work in Business, Media and Government in a variety of fields such as public relations, event planning, human resources, and sales to name a few. Graduates also report finding employment as media account executives, press secretaries, news writers, speech writers, and community affairs specialists. Recent graduates report they are working for Accenture, McDonald’s, Star Com, State Farm, Edelman and Associates, Lexis Nexus and Midwest Living. Other Communication students go on to graduate school or law school. For more information, go to Careers Link.
9. How do I declare the major?
Communication is a department in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). Students can either declare Communication as a major as incoming freshmen or transfer students, or declare it once they are on campus.
If you are already in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and are changing from General Curriculum or another major, you need to inform LAS (144 CAB; Computing Applications Building) of your intention to major in Communication. If you are double majoring, you need to wait until your junior year to declare your second major.
If you are switching from another college on campus, you need to go to the LAS office for application information. Please go to http://www.las.uiuc.edu/students/admission/ for application information.