As a communication studies major at Saint Mary's College, you will examine communication in a cultural-historical context while learning to become a savvy consumer, critic, and creator of modern communication. You'll focus on either speech or mass communication and meet in state-of-the-art classrooms with advanced technology for both lecture- and discussion-based courses.

Writing in the major
Throughout your communication course work, you'll develop strong research and writing skills, which you'll demonstrate in a final portfolio, or "Advanced W". About a month into the spring semester of your senior year, you'll submit three samples of writing—containing at least 20 pages of material—for review by faculty. The portfolio will consist of papers from a specific selection of communication courses and must meet format requirements.

Senior comprehensive requirement
In the spring semester of your junior year, you'll start a sequence of two classes for the senior comprehensive requirement and complete the sequence the fall of your senior year. You'll conduct original research, learn contemporary techniques of communication criticism, and develop detailed knowledge of a specific area of communication-related research. Recent examples include:

• "Organizational Control in Team-based Workplaces: The Case of Banana Republic," Kelly Thetard, 2006.
• "Feminine Power and the Femme Fatale: A Film Criticism of L.A. Confidential," Erin Bergman, 2006.
• "LOL: Instant Messenger and Interpersonal Relationships," Alana Chiefari, 2006.

Hands-on learning
Broadcast and print opportunities both at Saint Mary's College and at the University of Notre Dame give students professional work experiences in communications. Choose from opportunities at the radio and TV stations, the campus newspaper, and the college yearbook.

Additionally, each semester the communication and performance studies department places selected students in local internships ranging from opportunities in advertising to government agencies, public relations to television studios.

Careers
Communication studies is a broad major that prepares students for a wide variety of career possibilities that range from advertising to broadcasting, education, government, international business, marketing, market research, public relations, publishing, sales, and many other areas. Many Saint Mary's students go on to prestigious graduate and professional schools.