ADVISORS	ROOM	PHONE	E-MAIL
Ann Reynolds	CF 295	650-3870
Dr. Anna Eblen	CF 293	650-3890
Dr. Michael Karlberg	CF 289	650-7367
Dr. Ee Lin Lee	CF 291	650-4032
Dr. Tara Perry	CF 285	650-2202
Dr. Rae Lynn Schwartz-DuPre	CF 283	650-4212
Dr. Karen Stout	CF 277	650-2563
Dr. Jianglong Wang	CF 279	650-3869
Dr. Steve Woods	CF 275	650-4879

Applying for graduation
Schedule an appointment with the faculty advisor (assigned at declaration of major).

Mid-program checkpoint
A student seeking to complete a B.A. degree in communication within a four-year time span should have completed the following courses by the start of his/her junior year. Major omissions from this list will make it difficult or impossible to complete this degree within two additional years.
Comm 101 or 235 or and Comm 220 (with a B minus or better)
Lib 125 or Lib 201 (or Comm 235, 242, Hist 398, Psy 301)
Two or more 200-level communication courses
Substantial progress in GUR requirements

Download the Major Guide

Special courses and opportunities
The department offers a variety of opportunities for communication majors beyond the coverage of class instruction.

• Comm 450 — Communication Pedagogy I (3 credit)
  Prereq: recommendation; written permission from instructor
  About 450: Serve as undergraduate tutor for students taking communication courses. Learn instructional methods and gain further mastery of course content. Conduct supervised tutoring and feedback for students enrolled in communication courses. S/U grading.
  
  
• Comm 451 — Communication Pedagogy II (3 credits)
  Prereq: Comm 450: recommendation; written permission of instructor.
  About 451: Help supervise teams of undergraduate tutors. Develop leadership, organizational and pedagogical skills. S/U grading.
  
  
• Comm 459 — Field Internship in Communication (3, 6, 9, 12 credits)
  Prereq: senior status; written permission or advisor; departmental majors only.
  About 459: Supervised work in communication with an educational institution, public agency, private enterprise, broadcast station or other appropriate business. Meetings, written reports and a paper related to the internship are required. For students applying for media internships, plan to complete all academic course work before the internship, as this is the usual career pattern for those in that area. Repeatable to 12 credits. A maximum of 6 credits may be applied to the communication major. S/U grading.
  
  
• Comm 492 — Senior Thesis (5 credits)
  Prereq: departmental majors only; admission to departmental honors; complete 24 credits in communication; permission of instructor.
  About 492: Supervised independent research on an advanced topic, leading to a substantial research paper.
  
  
• Instructor Assistants or IA Positions
  About undergraduate teaching assistant (Instructor Assistant or IA) positions
  

  What are the prerequisites for the IA position?
  In order to assist with the Comm 101 course, you need to have taken the class successfully at Western, to have been recommended to the 101 director by your Instructor or Instructor Assistant, to complete an evaluative interview, and to receive an invitation to participate after these prerequisites are complete. Then you will be given permission and an override code to add Comm 450 (first quarter IAs) or Comm 451 (returning IAs).

  What kinds of things do IAs do?
  IAs serve as tutors for small sections (about 10-12) of students who are taking Comm 101. IAs listen to preliminary speeches, letting students know whether they need to retake a speech or move to the next speech. IAs provide feedback on speeches and written assignments, and they give coaching for improved performance on all course requirements. They explain assignments, readings and lectures. They facilitate activities and group projects. In addition, they keep records and document student progress through the course requirements. Occasionally, IAs participate in the large lectures.

  How do I go about getting an IA position?
  After you have completed the prerequisites described above and received an invitation to be an IA, let the Director of 101 know when you want to register for Comm 450, 451. You will attend an orientation session at the end of the quarter prior to serving as an IA, and at the beginning of your IA service quarters. You must be available to sign up for one of the 101 section times, as well as the weekly 450/451 meeting time.

  Do undergraduates assist in any other Comm courses besides 101?
  Occasionally Communication instructors request that outstanding students serve as Undergraduate Assistants in other courses. The student will typically have taken the course with the instructor in a prior quarter and shown strong ability and motivation. This experience provides good training for students who expect to go on to graduate school. All assistantships are unpaid and receive course credit as Comm 339, Practicum.