Minors are available in the department and should be pursued in consultation with an adviser. Minors are not required as part of a student’s program towards graduation. A minor may be recommended for students that have many elective courses to take towards the degree. It is useful to consider grouping elective courses into a minor. Minor designations do not appear on the diploma, but appear on the transcript.

Students may want to consider their ultimate goals in pursuing a degree and pick minors that complement their major in obtaining those goals. There are some programs in the department that overlap in requirements and therefore some combinations of majors/minors are not allowed. Examples of these programs are Communication Studies with Public Relations or Journalism with Public Relations. Other combinations of majors and minors that are not allowed are Media Arts and Studies with Film. A total of 19 to 20 credits is required to complete a minor.

To add a minor in any of the areas below, please contact:
Vicki Dallas
313-577-8500
ab7106@wayne.edu

Minor in Communication Studies

Basic communication skills in audience analysis, speech writing, and debate can provide a significant competitive advantage in any career. The minor in Communication Studies combines courses in theory and practice so that students can learn to recognize, understand and use a variety of communication strategies effectively.

Minor Requirements: Students pursuing a Minor in Communication Studies must complete from 18 to 20 credits as listed below in consultation with a Communication Studies advisor:

COM 1010 – Oral Communication: Basic Speech (3 cr)
COM 2000 – Introduction to Communication Studies (3 cr)
COM 2110 – Argumentation and Debate (3 cr)
COM 3400 – Theories of Communication (3 cr)
Plus two additional Communication Studies courses selected in consultation with your advisor.

Minor in Film

Film is an art form and communication technology with considerable power to inform, persuade and motivate. The film minor combines the study of film history and analysis with “hands on” audio, video and film production, screenwriting and a possible internship in the industry.

Minor Requirements: Students pursuing a Minor in Film must complete 19 credits by taking

COM 2010 – Introduction to Film (4 cr)
Plus an additional 15 credits from the core or from the list of electives for the Film major in consultation with a Film advisor.

Minor in Journalism

Few skills are more in demand than the ability to write clearly and journalism, in the form of print, broadcasting or online, teaches these critical skills. Classroom practice in news reporting, editing, feature writing and journalism history is applied in the final internship semester. Participate in WAYN Radio, get involved in the student newspaper, The South End, or write for your local Patch affiliate.

Minor Requirements: Students pursuing a Minor in Journalism must complete between 23 to 26 credits as listed below in consultation with a Journalism advisor:

COM 1500 – Survey of Mass Communication (3 cr)
COM 2030 – Journalistic Grammar and Style (3 cr)
COM 2100 – New Reporting (4 cr)
COM 3210 – New Editing (4 cr)
COM 4100 – Feature Writing (4 cr)
COM 5080 – History and Law of American Journalism (4 cr)
COM 6190 – Internship (1-3 cr)

Minor in Media Arts and Studies

The minor in Media Arts and Studies can be shaped to suit a wide range of career goals. Concentrate on media production by selecting courses in writing for radio, television, film or broadcast news, along with audio, television and video field production. Courses in film, television and radio history, criticism, social functions and mass media effects can be combined to create an emphasis in media history and criticism.

Minor Requirements: Students pursuing a Minor in Media Arts and Studies must complete 23 credits as listed below in consultation with a Media Arts and Studies advisor:

COM 1500 – Survey of Mass Communication (3 cr)
COM 1600 – Introduction to Audio-Television-Film Production (3 cr)
COM 2010 – Introduction to Film (4 cr)
COM 2210 – Writing for Radio-Television-Film (3 cr)

Plus 10 credits from among the following courses:

COM 2020 – History of Film (3 cr)
COM 2230 – Broadcast News Writing (3 cr)
COM 3010 – Television Criticism (3 cr)
COM 4310 – Audio Production (4 cr)
COM 4410 – Television Production (4 cr)
COM 5010 – History of Television and Radio (4 cr)
COM 5060 – Documentary and non-Fiction Film and Television (4 cr)
COM 5380 – Video Field Production and Editing (3 cr)
COM 5510 – Mass Communication and Society (3 cr)

Minor in Public Relations

Enhance your marketability by learning the fundamentals of public relations, persuasion techniques and strategies, and the keys to effective communication within organizations as you refine your writing in news reporting and editing courses. Join the WSU Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America and work closely with industry professionals in the metro area.

Minor Requirements: Students pursuing a Minor in Public Relations must complete 23 credits as listed below in consultation with a Public Relations advisor.

COM 1500 – Survey of Mass Communication (3 cr)
COM 2030 – Journalistic Grammar and Style (3 cr)
COM 2100 – New Reporting (4 cr)
COM 2160 – Contemporary Persuasive Campaigns and Movements (3 cr)
COM 3170 – Fundamentals of Public Relations (3 cr)
COM 3210 – New Editing 9 (4 cr)
COM 3250 – Introduction to Organizational Communication (3 cr)