Minors in the School of Communication

The School of Communication at Radford University offers students an opportunity to receive a minor in one of five concentration areas within the vast and ever-growing field of communication.  

Digital Communication and Research Analytics Minor

This 18-hour minor includes courses that focus on how to utilize Digital Communication technologies for a variety of settings.  The minor prepares learners to implement current technologies related to web development, online training, responsive mobile content compliance and delivery, and digital visualization. This fills an "R" requirement in REAL.

  • COMS 226 (3 credit): Digital Imaging (L) (No prerequisites)
  • COMS 326 (3 credit): Data Driven Web Design (R) (No prerequisites)
  • COMS 383 (3 credits): Social Media Strategy (L) (No prerequisites)
  • COMS 427 (3 credit): Learning management and Assessment (R)(No prerequisites)
  • COMS 484 (3 credit): Data Analytics and Visualization (R) (No prerequisites)
  • STAT 130 (3 credit) Understanding Statistics in Society (R,G,E)  OR
  • STAT 200 (3 credit) Introduction to Statistics (R,G,E)

Communication Minor

The 18-hour minor in Communication Studies consists of 3 credits from COMS 114, 3 credits from either COMS 240 OR Coms 250 and 12 additional hours of COMS courses. The Communication Minor is designed to prepare undergraduate students to become more proficient professional communicators when working in an organizational setting such as public relations, training, investor relations, human resources, community relations, crisis management, and governmental or legislative relations. Students are prepared to make contributions to a variety of organizations from a communication perspective. They have the opportunity to develop special knowledge and skills with regard to conflict, groups, leadership, relationships, public relations, political campaigns, organizations, etc. (Some courses may require pre-requisites or permission of instructor)

Public Relations Minor

The 18-hour minor in Public Relations consists of 6 credit hours of required coursework and 12 elective courses specific to public relations in the School of Communication. Prerequisites or permission of instructor may be required for some courses. Six credits must be at the 300-400 level. Declared minors may obtain permission through their School of Communication advisor. Public relations specialists and managers prepare messages and develop communication strategies for communication stakeholders. 

Media Studies Minor

The 18-hour minor in Media Studies consists of various COMS courses, including COMS 130, 335, 400 and 9 additional hours of COMS courses. The Media Studies minor provides students with the basic tools to actively construct and disseminate messages across a variety of media platforms. The core courses give students a foundation through which to better understand the exchange of ideas that take place in society through various forms of media messages. The electives allow students to pursue more nuanced skills in developing messages specific to the areas of media and web production, advertising, and journalism, providing them with the knowledge necessary to pursue careers in a variety of media outlets.

Cinema and Screen Studies Interdisciplinary Minor

This minor fulfills the A area of the REAL Curriculum. The cinema and screen studies minor, jointly supported by the School of Communication and the Dept. of Theatre and Cinema, allows students to explore formalist, historical, and cultural analysis of cinema and other screen media. The minor includes one writing intensive course and two general education courses.

Required Courses (12 credits)

  • CINE 110 - Introduction to Cinema & Screen Studies (GE)
  • THEA 180 - Introduction to World Cinema (GE)
  • CINE 310 - Genres: Form, Content, and Culture (WI)

Film History (Choose One):

  • CINE 401 - Film  History I
  • CINE 402 - Film History II

Electives (Choose two)* (6 credits)  *At least 3 credits must be at the 300/400 level

  • CINE 401 - Film History I 
  • CINE 402 - Film History II 

(Whichever film history course is not used for the Core requirement may count as an elective)

  • COMS 146 - Media Production 1: Foundations (L)
  • COMS 246 - Media Production 2A: Audio (E)
  • COMS 247 - Media Production 2B: Writing
  • COMS 346 - Media Production 3A: Cinematography (E)
  • COMS 347 - Media Production 3B: Editing (L)
  • COMS 452 - International Film and Electronic Media
  • THEA 300 - Sound Design for the Arts
  • THEA 370 - Dramatic Writing
  • THEA 482 - Documentary/Nonfiction Film
  • THEA 382 - Genre Study: Horror
  • THEA 383 - Genre Study: Science Fiction
  • THEA 480 - Film Theory and Criticism
  • FREN 320 - Topics in French Cinema
  • SOCY 471 - Society and Film

Additional special topics course(s) may be chosen in consultation with the director(s) of the minor.

The director(s) of the Cinema & Screen Studies minor must approve course selections prior to registration. Some courses may have prerequisites or require permission from the instructor before registration.