Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog

Communication


Chair: Lisa B. Keränen
Graduate Director: Hamilton Bean
Undergraduate Director: Stephen J. Hartnett
Program Assistant: Michelle A. Médal
Undergraduate Advisors: e. j. Yoder and Yvette Bueno Olson
Internship Director: Megan Hurson
Office: Student Commons Building, 1201 Larimer Street, 3rd Floor, Room 3014
Telephone: 303-315-1919

Faculty

Professors:
Sarah Fields, PhD, University of Iowa
Stephen J. Hartnett, PhD, University of California at San Diego

Associate Professors:
Hamilton Bean, PhD, University of Colorado at Boulder

Larry Erbert, PhD, University of Iowa
Amy Hasinoff, PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Lisa B. Keränen, PhD, University of Pittsburgh

Associate Professors Clinical Track:
Patrick Shaou-Whea Dodge, PhD, University of Denver

Assistant Professors:
Soumia Bardhan, PhD, University of New Mexico
Catalina M. de Onis, PhD, Indiana University
Mia Fischer, PhD, University of Minnesota

Senior Instructors:
Kristy Frie, MA, Regis University 
Yvette Bueno Olson, PhD, University of Miami
e. j. Yoder, PhD, University of Denver 

Instructors:
Megan Hurson, PhD, University of Colorado Boulder
Xiyuan Liu, PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago
Diann Logan, MA, University of Colorado Denver 
James McNeil, MA, University of Colorado Denver
Ali Nassiri, MA, University of Colorado Denver
Tamara Powell, PhD, University of California San Diego

Emeritus:
Brenda J. Allen, PhD, Howard University
Sonja K. Foss, PhD, Northwestern University
James F. Stratman, PhD, Carnegie-Mellon University 
Barbara J. Walkosz, PhD, University of Arizona

The Department of Communication at the University of Colorado Denver enriches understanding of the roles of communication in everyday life, organizational settings and public affairs. While the roots of the study of communication trace back to the ancient arts of philosophy, rhetoric, and aesthetics, its contemporary practices speak to the opportunities and dilemmas of participating in a globalized, mediated and multicultural society. A major in communication develops knowledge and skills that are required for many different fields, including advertising, business, international relations, education, public service, government and politics, health care and public relations. Because college graduates are expected to change careers approximately seven times over the course of their lives, and because employers across a wide variety of fields seek applicants with strong oral and written communication skills, a degree in communication is a versatile and timely choice. 

The department’s classes are organized in five pathways, including community service and public affairs, global and intercultural communication, health communication, media and cultural studies, and strategic communication. In addition, we offer a number of Inquiry and Analysis classes that bridge these areas. Across these pathways, students are encouraged to merge theoretical studies with practical applications, including in-service learning courses, travel study, internships, social justice projects and other experiential modes of learning. The Department of Communication seeks to cultivate the knowledge and ability to use communication to create a more equitable and humane world.

Undergraduate Information

Communication Major

Click here  to learn about the requirements for a major in Communication.

Academic Honors

Academic honors are conferred at graduation on students whose achievements are above those required for the bachelor’s degree. Three levels of honors are available to students. Cum laude honors are automatically earned by communication majors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a GPA of 3.5 in 39 hours of communication courses. Magna cum laude and summa cum laude honors require the completion of COMM 4700-Thesis and Project Practicum. Additional information about academic honors may be obtained from the undergraduate advisor in communication.

Undergraduate Internships

Internships are opportunities for students to work in communication-related positions in the community and to receive academic credit for that work. These internships provide a way for students to maximize their communication background and their understanding of concepts, theories, models and frameworks within the communication discipline.

Students typically receive 3 hours of academic credit for a one-semester internship in which they work between 15 and 30 hours a week.

For further information about internships, contact Megan Hurson at megan.hurson@ucdenver.edu .

Communication Minor

Click here  to learn about the requirements for a minor in Communication.

Undergraduate Certificates

Click here  to learn about the requirements for an Undergraduate Certificate in Strategic Communication.

Click here  to learn about the requirements for an Undergraduate Certificate in Health Communication.

Click here  to learn about the requirements for an Undergraduate Certificate in Mediation.

Click here  to learn about the requirements for an Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Studies.

Graduate Information

Please go to the Graduate catalog to read about our graduate programs.