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Academic Catalog 2021-2022

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  • Communication Studies and Graphic and Information Design, BA

Communication Studies and Graphic and Information Design, BA

2021-2022 Edition

  • Undergraduate
    • Admission
    • Information for Entering Students
    • College Expenses
    • Academic Policies and Procedures
    • University Academics
    • College of Arts, Media and Design
      • School of Architecture
      • Art + Design
      • Communication Studies
        • Communication Studies, BA
        • Communication and Media Studies, BA
        • Communication Studies and Graphic and Information Design, BA
        • Communication Studies and Sociology, BA
        • Communication Studies and Theatre, BA
        • English and Communication Studies, BA
        • Human Services and Communication Studies, BA
        • Linguistics and Communication Studies, BA
        • Media Arts and Communication Studies, BA
        • Media and Screen Studies, BA
        • Media and Screen Studies and English, BA
        • Media and Screen Studies and History, BA
        • Media and Screen Studies and Journalism, BA
        • Media and Screen Studies and Media Arts, BA
        • Media and Screen Studies and Philosophy, BA
        • Media and Screen Studies and Political Science, BA
        • Media and Screen Studies and Sociology, BA
        • Media and Screen Studies and Theatre, BA
        • Political Science and Communication Studies, BA
        • Business Administration and Communication Studies, BS
        • Computer Science and Communication Studies, BS
        • Communication Studies and Speech-​Language Pathology and Audiology, BS
        • Health Science and Communication Studies, BS
        • Media and Screen Studies and Theatre, BS
        • Music and Communication Studies with Concentration in Music Industry, BS
        • Political Science and Communication Studies, BS
        • Argumentation and Law, Minor
        • Cinema Studies, Minor
        • Communication Studies, Minor
        • Digital Communications, Minor
        • Film Production, Minor
        • Human Communication, Minor
        • Improvisation and Storytelling, Minor
        • Media Screen Studies, Minor
        • Media Production, Minor
        • Oratory and Public Speaking, Minor
        • Political Communication, Minor
        • Rhetoric, Minor
        • Social Activism, Minor
        • Sports, Media, Communication, Minor
      • School of Journalism
      • Music
      • Theatre
      • Interdisciplinary
      • Accelerated Bachelor/​Graduate Degree Programs
    • D'Amore-​McKim School of Business
    • Khoury College of Computer Sciences
    • College of Engineering
    • Bouvé College of Health Sciences
    • College of Science
    • College of Social Sciences and Humanities
    • Faculty
    • Appendix
  • College of Professional Studies Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Course Descriptions
  • Catalog Archives
  • Overview
  • Program Requirements
  • Plan of Study

The Department of Communication Studies and the Department of Art + Design offer a combined major in communication studies and graphic and information design. Students interested in the combined major integrate the study of communication skills and processes with the design of message and meaning, integrating text, image, and data.

Complete all courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Also complete any corequisite labs, recitations, clinicals, or tools courses where specified and complete any additional courses needed beyond specific college and major requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements.

University-Wide Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the University-Wide Requirements.

BA Language Requirements

All BA students are required to complete the BA language requirements.

NUpath Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.

NUpath requirements Natural and Designed World (ND), Creative Expression/Innovation (EI), Formal and Quantitative Reasoning (FQ), Analyzing and Using Data (AD), and Difference and Diversity (DD) may be met through electives in the major.

Communication Studies Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
Communication Studies Common Requirements
COMM 1101Introduction to Communication Studies4
COMM 1112Public Speaking4
or COMM 2301 Communication Research Methods
Foundation Course
Complete one of the following:4
COMM 1210
Persuasion and Rhetoric
COMM 1225
Communication Theory
COMM 1231
Principles of Organizational Communication
COMM 1255
Communication in a Digital Age
Cluster Course
Complete one of the following:4
COMM 1131
Sex, Relationships, and Communication
COMM 2303
Global and Intercultural Communication
COMM 2304
Communication and Gender
COMM 2501
Communication Law
COMM 2551
Free Speech in Cyberspace
Writing-Intensive
Complete two of the following:8
COMM 3200
Mobile Communication
COMM 3201
Health Communication
COMM 3230
Interpersonal Communication
COMM 3304
Communication and Inclusion
COMM 3320
Political Communication
COMM 3414
Great Speakers and Speeches
COMM 3415
Communication Criticism
COMM 3445
Public Relations Principles
COMM 3500
Environmental Issues, Communication, and the Media
COMM 3501
Free Speech: Law and Practice
COMM 3530
Communication and Sexualities
COMM 3532
Theories of Conflict and Negotiation
COMM 4535
Nonverbal Social Interaction
COMM 4605
Youth and Communication Technology
COMM 4631
Crisis Communication and Image Management
Communication Electives
Complete three COMM courses.12

Graphic and Information Design Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
Art and Design at Northeastern
ARTF 1000Art and Design at Northeastern1
Art and Design Fundamentals
ARTF 1122Color and Composition (with optional ARTF 1123)4
ARTF 2223Experience and Interaction (with optional ARTF 2220)4
Art and Design History
ARTH 2210Modern Art and Design History4
ARTH 2215History of Graphic Design4
Design
ARTG 1250Design Process Context and Systems4
ARTG 2250Typography 1 (with optional ARTG 2251)4
ARTG 2252Graphic Design 14
ARTG 3350Typography 24
ARTG 3451Information Design 14
Degree Project
ARTG 4550Design Degree Project 14
Art and Design Electives
Complete one course with the corresponding tools course, if indicated, from the following:4-5
ARTD 2360
and ARTD 2361
Introduction to Photography
and Photo Tools
ARTD 2380
Video Basics (with optional ARTD 2381)
ARTF 1120
Observational Drawing
ARTF 1121
Conceptual Drawing
ARTF 1124
and ARTF 1125
Form and Structure
and Form and Structure Tools
ARTF 2220
Movement and Time (with optional ARTF 2221)
ARTG 2260
Programming Basics
ARTG 2400
Interaction Design 1: Responsive
ARTG 3450
Graphic Design 2
ARTG 3460
Identity and Brand Design
ARTG 4554
Typography 3

Integrative Requirement

Course List
Code Title Hours
Integrative Courses
COMM 2200Visual Communication4
or ARTG 4550 Design Degree Project 1

Communication Studies Grade Requirement

No more than two grades below a C in communication studies courses may be used to fulfill degree requirements.

Communication Studies and Graphic and Information Design Major Credit Requirement

84 semester hours required in the major

Program Requirement

128 total semester hours required

Sample Four Years, Two Co-ops in Summer 2/Fall

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
ARTF 1000 or COMM 10001COMM 1112 or 23014Communication studies elective4A + D Foundation4
COMM 11014Communication studies foundation course4ARTG 2250 (with optional ARTG 2251)4Elective4
ARTF 1122 (with optional ARTF 1123)4ARTG 12504  
Art History Elective4Elective4  
ENGW 11114   
 17 16 8 8
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
Communication studies writing-intensive 14Communication studies elective 14Communication studies elective 24Co-op0
ARTG 33504Design option 24Elective4 
Design option 14Art + Design elective4  
Elective4Elective4  
 EEAM 20001  
 16 17 8 0
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
Co-op0Communication writing-intensive 24Communication studies elective 34Co-op0
 Design elective4Elective4 
 Elective4  
 ENGW 3314 or 33154  
 0 16 8 0
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
Co-op0ARTG 45504Vacation0Co-op0
 COMM 22004  
 Elective4  
 Elective4  
 0 16 0 0
Total Hours: 130
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  • 2021-22 Undergraduate PDF

  • 2021-22 College of Professional Studies Undergraduate PDF

  • 2021-22 Graduate PDF

  • 2021-22 Course Descriptions PDF