Current Undergrads

Students interested in Communication at the University of Delaware take a set of five core classes mostly across their first and second years.

• COMM 212 Public Speaking & Professional Presentation (prior to Fall 2021, COMM350 was also accepted)
• COMM 230 Communication and Interpersonal Behavior (formerly named COMM330 prior to Fall 2021)
• COMM ​245 Media and Society
  
• COMM 256 Philosophy of Communication
  
• COMM 3​01​ Introduction to Communication Research Methods

Students will then choose between three concentrations -- Media Communication, Interpersonal Communication, and Public Relations. Additional information regarding the three concentrations and associated minors is found below. Please visit Program Information and Requirements to learn more about the study of communication, the department and available resources, career paths, and advisement.

 To fulfill the remainder of the Communication-based requirements to complete the major, students will choose between one of the three concentrations detailed below:​​​​

Media Communication focuses on the analysis, explanation, and interpretation of mediated forms of communication, such as television, film, radio, newspapers, and books.  The emphasis is on theories of communication that help explain the historical development of the mass media, and the effects of these media on social, institutional, and interpersonal formation.  Students are able to acquire experience in the techniques and methods of media production, but emphasis is on theory and basic principles, rather than on specific preparation for a particular role in a communication organization.

Interpersonal Communication​ focuses on the forms of communication that occur among individuals and groups. The  orientation of this concentration focuses on theoretical principles that can be successfully applied for the understanding of communication as it occurs within the widest range of personal, business, and social settings.

Public Relations​ focuses on applying communcation models and theories to the public relations planning process.  Students will recognize the importance of ethical principles, diversity and inclusion competencies, and legal considerations in the practice of public relations.  Upon completion of the concentration, students will be able to demonstrate a wide range of technical skills, such as writing, media relations, public speaking, and social media management in order to create strategic communication campaigns reflecting the four-step management process of public relations.​

Our majors can further specialize their studies by completing minors in the following:

• ​Advert​ising​ - Offered through the Lerner School of Business, the minor in advertising builds your understanding of marketing and economics, develops your communication and public relations skills, demonstrates practical tactics in advertising management, and examines social and cultural issues inherent in new media and technology.
• Journalism - ​​An interdisciplinary minor between the Departments of English, Communication, Political Science & International Relations, and Economics, students will learn how to report with words, images, and sound, honing your writing skills and adapting your reporting approach to fit the platform whether it's print or web magazines, newspapers, streaming media, or radio/TV stations.
  
• Political Communication - Housed in the Center for Political Communication, this minor provides students with the opporutnity to experience multidisciplinary teaching and research in the leading edge concepts of political communication and digital technology, as expressed and experienced in political campaigns and public policy debates at the local and national levels.
  
• Interactive Media - Taught by faculty representing Computer Science, Art & Design, Communications, and English, this minor gives sutdents the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills applicable to various forms of interactive/digital media.  Focusing on internet-based technologies, courses teach skills in web programming, interaction design, writing, and project management.
  
• Organizat​ional and Community Leadership​ - Located within the Biden School of Public Policy & Administration, this minor provides and opportunity for students to gain a substantive introduction to the concept of leadership and the application of leadership to designing, managing, and evaluating change in our public, private, and nonprofit orgranizations.