Department of Communication Studies

Main Departmental Office
General Academic Building, Room 309A

Mailing Address:
1155 Union Circle #305268
Denton, TX 76203-5017
940-565-2588
Fax: 940-565-3630

Brian Richardson, Chair

Communication studies examines communication in human affairs and the symbolic processes through which humans interact by focusing on five basic behaviors associated with communication: analysis of self and others, effectively using and responding to verbal messages, effectively using and responding to non-verbal messages, listening and responding appropriately, and appropriately adapting messages to others. The curriculum is designed to facilitate student mastery of theory and research, to enhance communication skills and to enhance student preparation for a variety of careers or for graduate study. Many communication graduates pursue careers in education, consulting, organizational administration and management, training and development, and political communication. Others find communication to be a useful major in preparing for law, the ministry, public relations, corporate communication, politics and community relations.

The department offers course work in rhetorical, performance and social science traditions. Students are afforded opportunities to explore communication from applied and theoretical perspectives in organizational settings and through co-curricular activities. Course work features the investigation of communication in organizational, interpersonal, aesthetic, health, legal, political, cultural, intercultural and international contexts. Students encounter topics such as gender and diversity issues, social change, conflict, narrative and cultural studies.

Debate and performance programs

Students may develop and enhance critical thinking skills by participating in intercollegiate debate and performance activities. The national-caliber debate team competes actively in both on-campus events and tournament competition at the regional and national levels. The performance interest group participates in national festivals, sponsors on-campus performances and hosts the Petit Jean National Performance Festival.

Digital media studies certificate

In conjunction with the departments of media arts and technical communication, the Department of Communication Studies offers a Digital Media Studies certificate (COMM) .

Scholarships

Debate Alumni/William DeMougeot Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis to outstanding students who participate in the activities of the North Texas Debate Team.

Olive M. Johnson Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis to outstanding students who participate in the activities of the North Texas Debate Team.

Curtis M. Loveless Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis to outstanding students who major in communication studies and participate in the activities of the North Texas Debate Team.

Information about debate scholarships may be obtained by writing to Dr. Brian Lain, Department of Communication Studies, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #305268, Denton, TX 76203-5017.

Lesa Woody Memorial Scholarship in Oral Interpretation and Performance Studies
This scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis to undergraduate students who participate in curricular performance studies classes and extracurricular performance studies, intercollegiate festivals and other activities.

Information about this scholarship may be obtained by writing to Dr. Jay Allison, Department of Communication Studies, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #305268, Denton, TX 76203-5017.