Minor in Communication

The minor is structured to provide a foundation for advanced course work in communication through a broad-based understanding of communication theory and research.

Declaration Process

In order to be eligible to declare the Communication minor, 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

Prospective minors 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.

Minor Curriculum

To be recommended for the Bachelor of Arts minor in Communication, a student must complete at least 35 units (typically 7 courses) within the Communication Department.  The minor consists of the 3 Communication core courses, requirements in two areas, two elective classes, plus a course in statistics.  Minors must be declared no later than spring quarter of the junior year.

The statistics prerequisite (typically Stats 60/Psych 10) does not count toward the 35 units needed to complete the Communication minor, and may be taken for a letter grade or credit. This introductory statistics course should be taken either prior to or concurrent with registration in COMM 106, Communication Research Methods, in preparation for courses in methodology and advanced courses in communication processes and effects.

1.  Four core courses:

1. Communication 1A: Media Technologies, People, and Society, or Communication 1B: Media, Culture, and Society
2. Communication 106: Communication Research Methods
3. Communication 108: Media Process and Effects
4. Statistics 60 or Psychology 10 (does not count towards the 35 units in the minor)

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

Area I: Communication Processes and Effects
(A minimum of one course 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: Psychological Processing

Area II: Communication Systems/Institutions
(A minimum of one course 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

3.  Plus two elective courses in consultation with an advisor.

Communication minors may also use up to 5 units from the affiliated department offerings (as elective credit) as listed in the Possible Tracks section of the Communication major information. Please note that not all courses are given every year.  Refer to course listings and time schedules each quarter.  Students should also note individual course prerequisites.