Multi-dimensional in its approach, Communication Studies Department uses the rich resources of both the humanities and the social sciences in exploring the human capacity for speech - when, where, why, how, and with what effect people interact through language and extra-linguistic symbols - and focuses on the theory and practice of human communication in a variety of contexts: interpersonal, intercultural, instructional, organizational, political, in dyads, in small groups, and in the mass media. The Communication Studies program prepares students for graduate work or careers in a wide variety of occupations that place a premium on excellent communication skills. The Communication Studies degree program is now among the most popular in the College of Liberal Arts.
Modified from coms.calpoly.edu
Senior Projects from 2013
A Quantitative Survey: Are Twitter Advertisements Effective for College Students?, Christia J. Brockman
"Bridesmaids": A Modern Response to Patriarchy, Blair Buckley
Jackie Robinson: Impact the Game, Evan W. Busby
All You Need Is Capitalism?: An Ideological Criticism of the Beatles-Jackson Auction Controversy, Arianna Marie Chopelas
A Close Reading of Fashion Blogging: A Form of Postmodern Communication, Hasy Rose Crookston
The Virtual Bulletin Board: A Feminist Critique of Pinterest, Alexandra B. Davila
Promotion and Visibility for the Online Rebirth of Moebius, Amanda Gonzalez
Sole4Souls/Running Warehouse: An Application of Communication Principles in Non Profit Event Planning, Tiffany Gummow
Souls4Soles/Running Warehouse 2013. An Application of Communication Principle in Non Profit Event Planning, Vianna Hochstrasser
ELM in the Courtroom: Application to Trial Juries, Natalie Claire Hopkins
A Metaphor's Power Over Salience and Ideology, Aaron McKinnon
A Twist in Hip Hop Culture--A Feminist Perspective, Brandon Edward Michalkiewicz
Recognizing a Shift Toward Continued Secondary Orality: The iPhone's Contribution to the Development of Human Communication, Heather Christina Parks
The Myth of "Moonrise Kingdom": A Children's Tale, Laura Ragsdale
Queen B: A Modern Feminist Critique of Beyoncé, Catherine Demi Ray
Mexican-American Anglophile, Lorena A. Saldana
A Critique of Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty, Sarah Scott
The Real CSI: A Criticism of Media’s Manipulation of Forensic Science, Stephanie Adrianne Slaught
Lives Interrupted: A Sibling’s Guide to Cancer, Robin Sweeney
The Reality of Fiction: A Textual Analysis of Verisimilitude in The Appeal, Stephanie M. Taft
National Tragedy and Uncertainty Reduction: Adult Reaction to National Tragedy and Anxiety Reduction Strategies, Erica Christine Turnlund
Coming to Appreciate the Redneck Stereotype: A Value Analysis of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, Bevie Tyo
Military & Media: A Close Contexual Analysis Of Moveon.Org's Controversial Attack Ad Of General David Petraeus, Joseph Jordan Vignolo
She’s Forever Present, Marina Abramović: An Artist, An Innovator, And The Grandmother of Performance Art, Jessica Volmer
Pulitzer Prize Winning Photographs And The Rhetoric Of “Poignant Presence”: What Brings The War Home?, Kelly Ann Wakeland