Major in Communication

Declaration Process

In order to declare the Communication major, students must have completed, or be currently enrolled in, one of the following:

1. Comm 1A - Media Technologies, People, and Society, or Comm 1B – Media, Culture, and Society
2. Comm 106 – Communication Research Methods
3. Comm 108 – Media Processes and Effects

Once the prerequisites have been met, prospective majors should declare via Axess and then email the Student Services Administrator (comm-studentservices@lists.stanford.edu) to set up an appointment to complete the minimal paperwork, to be assigned an advisor and to discuss any questions they may have.

Transfer Students

Required Communication courses usually must be taken at Stanford. No more than 10 units of transfer or Summer Session credit may be applied to meet departmental requirements.

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions asks transfer students to furnish an official transcript, which is evaluated by the University. Students who transfer to Stanford and enter the Department of Communication should know the only Communication course likely to be waived is Communication 1A or Communication 1B.

Combined and Multiple Majors

Formal options exist for all Stanford undergraduates who are interested in pursuing more than one academic discipline. Students should refer to Stanford Bulletin and the Academic Standing office. Remember that participation in any multiple major program requires declaration of each major.

Students pursuing this option must complete a Multiple Major Form indicating which courses they plan to apply toward each major and/or minor. Multiple Major Forms are available from the Registrar's Office website.

Major Curriculum

1. Five core courses:

1. Communication 1A: Media Technologies, People, and Society, or Communication 1B: Media, Culture, and Society
2. Communication 106: Communication Research Methods (prerequisite - Statistics)
3. Communication 108: Media Processes and Effects
4. Communication 120: Digital Media in Society (WIM)
5. Statistics 60 or Psychology 10 (does not count toward the 60 units in the major)

2. Students must take courses in the following areas as specified below:

Area I: Communication Processes and Effects
(A minimum of two courses must be taken)

Communication 126: Human Virtual Representation
Communication 160: The Press and the Political Process
Communication 162: Analysis of Political Campaigns
Communication 166: Virtual People
Communication 168: Experimental Research in Advanced User Interfaces
Communication 169: Computers and Interfaces: Psychology and Design
Communication 170: Communication and Children
Communication 172: Media Psychology

Area II: Communication Systems/Institutions
(A minimum of two courses must be taken)

Communication 104: Reporting, Writing, and Understanding the News
Communication 116: Journalism Law
Communication 117: Digital Journalism
Communication 120: Digital Media in Society
Communication 125: Perspectives on American Journalism
Communication 131: Media Ethics and Responsibilities
Communication 136: Democracy and the Communication of Consent
Communication 140: New Media Entrepreneurship
Communication 147: History and Future of Journalism
Communication 182: Virtual Communities and Social Networks

Possible Tracks

The communication curriculum is designed to provide a theoretical base that can be effectively applied to numerous environments. Here we offer some potential tracks to guide you. These are not intended to restrict you but rather to suggest examples of ways to focus your interests.

A. Communication Technologies

Department Offerings
Comm 120: Digital Media in Society
Comm 169: Computers & Interfaces: Psychology & Design
Comm 172: Media Psychology

Affiliated Department Offerings (elective credit toward the major)

Computer Science
CS 105: Introduction to Computers
CS 106A: Programming Methodology
CS 147: Introduction to HCI
CS 247A: Interaction Design Studio
CS 201/STS 215: Computers, Ethics, & Social Responsibility
CS 377: Topics in Human Computer Interaction

Science, Technology & Society
STS 101: Science, Technology, & Contemporary Society (Same as ENGR 130)

Engineering
ENGR 130: Science, Technology, & Contemporary Society (Same as STS 101)

B. Communication and Public Affairs

Department Offerings
Comm 125: Perspectives on American Journalism
Comm 136: Democracy & the Communication of Consent
Comm 138: Democratic Theory
Comm 160: The Press & the Political Process
Comm 162: Analysis of Political Campaigns
Comm 170: Communication & Children

Affiliated Department Offerings (elective credit toward the major). All courses are not offered each year. See the Stanford Bulletin.

Political Science
PolSci 123: Politics of Public Policy
PolSci 126: Issues of Representation in American Politics

Psychology
Psych 75: Cultural Psychology
Psych 167: Seminar on Aggression
Psych 180/245: Social Psychological Perspectives on Stereotyping & Prejudice

Public Policy
PubPol 104: Economic Policy
PubPol 194: Technology Policy

C. Media Practices and Performance

Department Offerings
Comm 120: Digital Media in Society
Comm 125: Perspectives on American Journalism
Comm 131: Media Ethics & Responsibilities
Comm 160: The Press & the Political Process