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
Is CMC the new FTF: a study exploring the nature of computer mediated communication on Facebook, Suzanne S. Wu
The Deadliest School Shooting in American History: A Dramatistic Analysis of the Virginia Tech Massacre, Natalie Susanne Zafis
Senior Projects from 2012
Creating a Communication Style-Flex Workforce Through the Interview Process, Alison Lauren Costello
A Day with the Mustangs, Bryanna De Oca, Leanne Jones, and Brian Peters
President Barack Obama: History In The Making, Fatema Etemadi
The Human side of a Mediated Life: How Mediated Communication is Affecting Relationships and Nonverbal Literacy, Meghan E. Green
Sex and Politics: The Genre of Apologia in Political Sex Scandals, Margeaux Thea Harris
The Birth of a Leader: Sermonic Discourse in Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Address at Holt Street Baptist Church, Nathan D. Hennes
Rethinking Juvenile Justice: Using Communication To Combat Inequality, Victimization and Recidivism Among Detained Youth, Christine Alyse Herman
Sales Process and Training Overview, Thomas Holcomb
Intergenerational Communication In An Organizational Setting, Claire Kister
A Rhetorical Criticism of Susan B. Anthony’s Speech on Women’s Right to Vote, Shabnam Kohan
'Moebius': Groundwork for Promotion & Visibility, Kanika Laroia
"I'm Bi-Winning": A Critical Content Analysis of Bipolar Disorder In American Newspapers, Maryam Moeinazad
The American Duality: Exceptionalism or Exemptionalism?, Courtney Muniz
"I had the craziest dream last night...": A Foucauldian Analysis of Black Swan, Samantha Rose Prochnow
Theories of Culture, Identity, and Ethnomusicology: A Synthesis of Popular Music, Cultural, and Communication Studies, Alyssa Santos
“All Girls Are Barbies”: A Feminist Critique of Nicki Minaj’s Barbie Persona, Camellia Sarmadi
Flavor of SLO 2012: An Application of Communication Principles in Event Planning, Allison Sasscer
The Truth Can Be A Funny Thing: A Comparison of Traditional Broadcast News to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart in Coverage of the 2012 Presidential Campaign, Madeleine Sciarra
Promoting HIV Prevention and Awareness Through Personal Communication: A Training Seminar For HIV Positive Speakers, Allyson Snyder
Communication Concepts Through Flavor of SLO 2012, Quinn Nicole Thompson
Poly Projects, Mary Carolyn Ward and Neal Patrick Donahue