Communication and Cultural Studies Major Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete a major in Communication and Cultural Studies are expected to:

• Situate works and ideas in historical, cultural, and political contexts: students should learn to connect concepts and texts (written and performative, oral and visual, live and mediated) to the contexts in which they are embedded;

• Analyze critically multiple forms of human expression: students should be able to critique texts and performances by applying relevant theoretical lenses, comparing and contrasting works, conducting close textual analysis, and offering evaluative judgments;

• Create meaningful original work: students should learn, apply, explain, and critically reflect upon methodologies used in creating their own works, including speeches and written essays, digital media, visual production, and theatrical performance;

• Participate productively in the public sphere: students should cultivate an awareness of their civic roles and responsibilities to various communities. They should critically engage with media and popular culture; they should appreciate and patronize the fine and performing arts; and they should practice engagement in a range of communication-related activities on campus, in Meadville, and in their future communities.

The Communication and Cultural Studies major at Allegheny teaches students to engage critically and creatively with the wider culture that surrounds them. Working from rhetorical, media studies, digital media production, and theatre traditions, students are asked to analyze, evaluate, and produce myriad communication texts across media and genre.

Majors are required to have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in departmental courses at graduation. All COMM, FDS, and THTR courses taken at Allegheny on a letter grade basis are included in the GPA calculation with the exception of repeated courses, for which only the most recent grade counts. Declared majors must take COMM, FDS, and THTR courses on a letter grade basis. A maximum of eight transfer credits may be counted towards the major. Please note: most courses at the 100 level must be taken before a student’s senior year.

Requirements for the Communication and Cultural Studies Major

The major in Communication and Cultural Studies leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree and requires the successful completion of a minimum of 50 credits. The major includes a Core Sequence and two of four Modules of Inquiry. Most majors should begin their Modules after completing their Core “Introductory” courses and should complete at least one Module before beginning the Core “Synthesis” courses. All majors must complete 3 courses in each of the two Subject Modules (24 credits total). Across the modules, 2 courses must be completed at the 200-level and 2 courses must be completed at the 300-level. No course counted as part of the Core Sequence may be counted as part of a Module and no course may be counted toward more than one Module. 

Communication and Cultural Studies majors should consult with an adviser from the Department of Communication Arts and Theatre to design a Core of Study and Modules of Inquiry combination that intentionally and effectively meets their interests and goals.

Students who major in Communication and Cultural Studies may not double-major or minor in Film and Digital Storytelling or Theatre.