2026-2027 Academic Catalog

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Communication (COMM)

COMM 1004 - First-Semester Experience in Communication (1 credit)

Introduction to areas of research, ethical behaviors, and career paths in the discipline. Consideration of strategies for learning, accessing advising, and locating resources.

Instructional Contact Hours: (1 Lec, 1 Crd)

COMM 1014 - Introduction to Communication (3 credits)

Survey of the communication discipline across areas of specialization from interpersonal to mediated and mass communication, including history and fundamental concepts, theories, contexts. Emphasis on ethical human behavior and message analysis.

Pathway Concept Area(s): 3 Reasoning in Social Sciences, 10 Ethical Reasoning

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

COMM 1015 - Communication Skills (3 credits)

Introduction to oral and written communication. 1015: Focus on oral and written communication in interpersonal, small group, and public contexts. Special emphasis on the writing process, listening, interviewing, conflict resolution, critical analysis, and communication in digital and visual media. 1016: Continued Study in oral and written communication skills for small group and public contexts. Focus on practical applications in ethical research and information gathering, audience analysis and adaptation, message development, and oral, written, and visual presentations by individuals and groups.

Pathway Concept Area(s): 1F Discourse Foundational, 11 Intercultural&Global Aware.

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

COMM 1016 - Communication Skills (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): COMM 1015

Pathway Concept Area(s): 1F Discourse Foundational, 10 Ethical Reasoning

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

COMM 2004 - Public Speaking (3 credits)

Strategies and practice for speaking to specific audiences. Ethical considerations for message preparation, development, presentation, and evaluation. Pre: Sophomore standing.

Pathway Concept Area(s): 1A Discourse Advanced, 10 Ethical Reasoning

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

COMM 2014 - Communication Principles of Teamwork (3 credits)

Behavior of people working in groups. Theories and models of communication, types of groups, principles of effective teamwork. Intrapersonal and interpersonal communication and values related to group behavior, relationships, and problem solving. Ethical issues associated with group work. Pre: Sophomore standing required.

Pathway Concept Area(s): 3 Reasoning in Social Sciences, 10 Ethical Reasoning

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

COMM 2024 - Media Writing (3 credits)

Writing and information gathering skills including news, features, press releases, and advertising copy for broadcast, print and public relations media. Sophomore Standing Required.

Prerequisite(s): COMM 1016 or ENGL 1106 or ENGL 1204H

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

COMM 2084 - Media and Society (3 credits)

An examination of media influence on society. Emphasis on impact of media (such as newspapers, film, social networks, and video games) on diverse audiences and cultures. Considerations of the evolution of media; social institutions and trends related to the media; domestic, global, ethical, and legal questions posed by the media; intercultural communication; and new technologys influence on society.

Pathway Concept Area(s): 3 Reasoning in Social Sciences, 10 Ethical Reasoning

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

COMM 2094 - Communication and Issues of Diversity (3 credits)

Study of communication theory and practice related to diversity and the media. Analysis of ethical implications of media influences on workplace communication across disciplines. Development of a personal understanding of diversity and identity by examining media producers, audiences, workforces, outlets, and content.

Prerequisite(s): COMM 1016 or ENGL 1106

Pathway Concept Area(s): 7 Identity & Equity in U.S., 11 Intercultural&Global Aware.

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

COMM 2124 - Introduction to Communication Research (3 credits)

Study of approaches to research in the discipline, including identification and analysis of existing research; procedures for conducting and reporting basic research in communication. Sophomore Standing required.

Prerequisite(s): COMM 1016 or ENGL 1106 or ENGL 1204H

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

COMM 2964 - Field Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

COMM 2974 - Independent Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

COMM 2974H - Independent Study (1-19 credits)

Honors section.

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

COMM 2984 - Special Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

COMM 3900 - Bridge Experience (0 credits)

Application of academic knowledge and skills to in a work-based experience aligned with post-graduation goals using research-based learning processes. Satisfactory completion of work-based experience often in the form of internship, undergraduate research, co-op, or study abroad; self-evaluation; reflection; and showcase of learning. Pre: Department approval of 3900 plan.

Instructional Contact Hours: (0 Crd)

COMM 3954 - Study Abroad (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

COMM 3984 - Special Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

COMM 4024 - Communication Law (3 credits)

Study freedom of speech and the press and how these freedoms apply to the press, public relations, advertising and personal speech. Consideration of First Amendment theories and jurisprudence; related ethical issues. Senior standing.

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

COMM 4204 - Communication Internship (1-6 credits)

Placement in a communication industry for practical internship under supervision by a departmental advisor and a professional in the field. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 6 hours credit. Pre: Junior standing and consent required.

Instructional Contact Hours: (1-6 Lec, 1-6 Crd)

Repeatability: up to 6 credit hours

COMM 4964 - Field Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

COMM 4974 - Independent Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

COMM 4974H - Independent Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

COMM 4984 - Special Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

COMM 4994 - Undergraduate Research (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

COMM 4994H - Undergraduate Research (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

COMM 5004 - Foundations of Communication (3 credits)

Socialization to the graduate student environment. Strategies for professional development and ethical standards in Communication fields. Virginia Tech’s ethical and academic values. Graduate Honor Code including plagiarism, scholarly citations, and ethical standards in academia. Review and discussion of current problems and literature in communication. Faculty presentation of research and visiting lecturers. Pre: Graduate standing.

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

COMM 5014 - Communication Theory (3 credits)

A broad survey of contemporary theories and processes of interpersonal, public, and mediated human communication. Pre: Graduate standing

Corequisite(s): COMM 5024

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

COMM 5024 - Quantitative Methods in Communication (3 credits)

Theoretical traditions and assumptions of quantitative inquiry in the communication discipline. Hypothesis generation; research design, data collection and analysis. Ethical issues, style conventions, and standards for establishing reliability and validity. Open science practices. Distinctive contributions of quantitative research to communication theory and practice. Pre: Graduate standing.

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

COMM 5034 - Teaching Practicum (1-2 credits)

Training in teaching the basic communication course at the university level. Emphasis on the theory and practice of teaching public speaking, prepared related materials and class sessions, and responding to student assignments. Graduate standing requires. May be repeated for up to 3 hours.

Instructional Contact Hours: (1-2 Lec, 1-2 Crd)

Repeatability: up to 3 credit hours

COMM 5044 - Prospectus Practicum (1 credit)

Applied, advanced work in prospectus development.

Prerequisite(s): COMM 5024

Instructional Contact Hours: (1 Lec, 1 Crd)

COMM 5054 - Qualitative Methods in Communication (3 credits)

Theoretical traditions and assumptions of qualitative inquiry in the communication discipline. Methods of data collection, interpretation, analysis, and presentation. Ethical issues, style conventions, and standards for establishing interpretive reliability and validity. Distinctive contributions of qualitative research to communication theory and practice. Pre: Graduate standing.

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

COMM 5894 - Final Examination (3 credits)

For non-thesis candidates who are required to register for their final examination and have completed their program of study. Not to be included in minimum 36 hours required for degree.

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

COMM 5904 - Project and Report (1-19 credits)

For students pursuing a non-thesis degree. Projects may involve guided research/scholarship or an internship.

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

COMM 5914 - Communication Practicum (1-6 credits)

Practicum experiences in departmental options under supervision; processing supervisor feedback; identifying concepts from coursework in the practicum experience; and professional portfolio preparation. Course may be repeated once for a total of 6 credits. Pre: Graduate standing and permission of the internship director

Instructional Contact Hours: (1-6 Lec, 1-6 Crd)

Repeatability: up to 6 credit hours

COMM 5974 - Independent Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

COMM 5984 - Special Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

COMM 5994 - Research and Thesis (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course