Communication Program - B.A.
Welcome!
The Communication Program is part of the School of Communications within the College of Social Sciences.
Aloha, and welcome to the Communication Program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. We offer our students an academic program that focuses on 1) communication in social, organizational and professional communities ranging from small groups working together face-to-face or online to large organizations communicating with international publics, 2) information and communication technologies (ICTs) and policy, focusing on how ICTs are shaped by, as well as influence, society, and 3) the media arts, including digital cinema and multimedia theory and production.
Our undergraduate students have an opportunity to participate in an internship program to gain first-hand experience, while graduate students are involved in research leading to an M.A. in Communication, or a Ph.D. in Communication and Information Sciences. Our faculty, lecturers and teaching assistants offer numerous courses throughout the Fall, Spring, and Summer. The department resources include both a state-of-the-art media lab and a computer communication lab.
Undergraduate Program Information
The following program and degree requirements go into effect with the 2010-2011 University of Hawaii Catalog. These requirements apply to all students who are accepted to the COM major in fall 2010 or later.
Students accepted to the COM major prior to fall 2010 are encouraged to complete the curricular requirements in place at the time they entered the program because capstone courses required by the new curriculum are not scheduled to start until spring 2012. Students who entered the COM program prior to fall 2010 also should note that COM 490 (Senior Thesis Project) will be phased out after spring 2012, and they should plan accordingly.
The program focuses on active learning and inquiry in fundamental communication processes with specific emphases on media arts (video, digital cinema and multimedia), communication in communities (local, global, organizational and intercultural), and information and communication technologies (ICTs) as preparation for fruitful careers, enlightened citizenship, and lifelong learning. Each of these areas are called tracks.
Recent graduates have entered careers in web design, video production, public relations, and nonprofit and government information services in the U.S. and abroad. Our curriculum in intercultural and international communication prepares alumni for positions in organizations ranging from local to global. Many pursue graduate degrees and academic careers in communication and related fields.
In addition to the faculty and staff, resources include both a state-of-the-art media laboratory and a computer- communication laboratory. The internship program facilitates the merging of academic knowledge with applied experience in the students' fields of interest.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students earning the B.A. in communications will be able to:
- Design communication and media projects to make meaningful contributions to diverse social, professional or academic communities, communicating effectively orally, in writing, and through digital media.
- Reflect critically on communication products such as media productions, research and policy reports and everyday texts.
- Demonstrate preparedness for academic and professional careers in communication.
- Demonstrate global awareness, including an awareness of cultures in the Hawaii–Pacific region and issues related to cross–cultural communication.
- Engage in collaborative problem solving, both face–to–face and in online environments.
- Analyze the ethical dimensions of communication.
- Critically evaluate the use of technology in communication.
Communication Degree Requirements
- 33 credit hours in Communication courses, Including:
- Introduction to Communication (COM 201)
- Three foundation courses (COM 310, 320 and 330)
- One capstone course* (COM 476, 477, 478 or 479)
- *Note: capstone courses are only offered in the Spring semester.
To declare a major in Communication:
- Introduction to Communication (COM 201)* *Must be enrolled in, or have completed with at least a B (3.0)
- Completion of at least 12 credit hours
- Minimum of a 2.5 GPA
To declare a major in communication, students must be enrolled in, or have completed with at least a B (3.0) Introduction to Communication (COM 201) and have completed at least 12 credit hours with a 2.5 GPA. Foundations courses (COM 310, 320, 330) may be taken concurrently with COM 201. Upon declaration of their major, students are assigned a personal faculty advisor to assist them in their progress through the program. Students are responsible for meeting the prerequisite requirements for at least one of the capstone courses in order to graduate in a timely manner. In addition to earning a B (3.0) or better in COM 201, students must earn a C (2.0) or better in every course counted toward the major degree requirements.