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The Communication Major

Communication offers a theoretically-oriented investigation of how discourses, communication systems, media institutions, built environments, and human activity together shape economic, political, and cultural life. Our interdisciplinary curriculum is rich in hands-on learning opportunities for students interested in designing and producing media, conducting fieldwork, and bridging social divides through participation at faculty directed, regional community sites.

We teach a wide variety of reading and research methods, including qualitative data collection, textual analysis, historical research, critical theory, intersectionality, and discourse analysis. That means you’ll learn how to interpret and analyze media texts, read and decode digital publications and data, evaluate the role of technology and social change in cultural production, and critique representations of social reality in relation to power differentials, systemic stereotyping, and historical erasures. Our courses also provide students space to engage ininformed, reflective, and mindful dialogue about difficult social issues, confronting subjects such as race, gender, sexuality, class, policing, and war. 

Graduates complete the Communication major with a solid liberal arts background necessary for graduate studies in communication and many other disciplines, and for professional work in a number of communication- and media-related fields, including primary and secondary education. 


13 REQUIRED COURSES

--  All courses for the major must be taken for a letter grade; a grade of C– or better is required.
--  13 total courses are required; it is not possible to double-count a course for more than one requirement.
--  Courses marked with an asterisk (*) may not be petitioned for substitution. 

1 Lower Division COMM Course
  • COMM-010: Introduction to Communication*
4 Core COMM Courses 
  • COMM-100A: Communication, the Person, and Everyday Life*
  • COMM-100B: Communication, Culture, and Representation*
  • COMM-100C: Communication, Institutions, and Power*
  • COMM-190: Junior Seminar*
8 COMM Electives 
  • Two courses numbered COMM-120 to 189*
  • Six courses numbered COMM-101 to 189

COMM Major Requirement Checklist


COMM Major Elective Pathways

Interested in courses in these specific areas? 

  • Activism & Social Justice
  • Art, Culture & Creativity
  • Disability, Health & Science
  • Environmental & Political Communication
  • Language & Global Flows
  • Technology, Data & Internet
  • Skills-Based Practice Courses

Or, do you want to:

  • Study film, TV, music and pop culture?
  • Make Media?
  • Work in journalism?
  • Pursue a career in marketing or PR?
  • Focus on digital media?

Check out our COMM Major Elective Pathways and Media Industries Pathways webpages for suggested courses.

Course Exceptions and Petitions

Petition to count courses outside of the Communication Department towards the COMM major:
  • Students may petition a maximum of 2 upper division courses taken outside of the department to count towards the major's Intermediate Elective requirement. 
  • Examples: Study Abroad; courses in other UCSD departments (including AIP-197); courses at other UCs; courses from other 4 year institutions.
  • These courses must be upper division (numbered 100+), at least 4 units, and must be passed with a letter grade of C- grade or higher.
  • Courses must be related to our department's curriculum and oriented towards communication theory or production skills (as opposed to business/management related best practices).  
  • Complete an Undergraduate Student Petition, including:
    • the title of the course,
    • the number of units,
    • the course description (from the course catalog),
    • how the course relates to the major
    • attach the course's syllabus, which must include the texts/readings required
  • Submit your completed petition via the COMM UG Petition Form. The department's Faculty Advisor will review it and you will be notified of the result via the VAC.

Petition to count COMM-198 (Directed Group Study in Communication) or COMM-199 (Independent Study in Communication) towards the COMM major: 
  • Students who enroll in COMM-198 or 199 may petition to count one of these courses (4 units max) towards the major's Intermediate Elective requirement. 
  • Complete an Undergraduate Student Petition:
    • detail in the body of the petition the work completed in the course
    • include the name of Communication Department Faculty Mentor
  • Submit your completed petition via the COMM UG Petition Form. The department's Faculty Advisor will review it and you will be notified of the result via the VAC.

Major Residency Requirement

The COMM Major courses below must all be taken in residency at UCSD. They cannot be transferred or taken abroad. 

  • COMM-010: Introduction to Communication
  • COMM-100A: Communication, the Person, and Everyday Life
  • COMM-100B: Communication, Culture, and Representation 
  • COMM-100C: Communication, Institutions, and Power
  • COMM-190: Junior Seminar
  • 6 COMM Upper Division Electives

Please see your College Advising Team regarding non-major residency requirements.

Guidance for Newly Admitted COMM Students

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ADMISSION TO UCSD AND WELCOME TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION!

We invite you to read through our information and guidance on our Newly Admitted Students webpage.

4 Year Quarter-by-Quarter Plan for COMM Majors

Keep in mind that the major offers considerable flexibility, with many courses available as electives that you can choose based on your interests. The quarter-by-quarter plan below is an example designed to provide a quick overview of how you might complete the major within your allotted quarters.

COMM 4 year qxq plan

 For more specific quarter-by-quarter plans, including how the COMM major fits into your College's requirements and University requirements, check out the Academic Planning webpage.

To begin building your own personalized long-term plan, download the Academic Planning Worksheet and save a copy. 

2 Year Quarter-by-Quarter Plan for COMM Majors

Keep in mind that the major offers considerable flexibility, with many courses available as electives that you can choose based on your interests. The quarter-by-quarter plan below is an example designed to provide a quick overview of how you might complete the major within your allotted quarters.

COMM quarter by quarter plan

 For more specific quarter-by-quarter plans, including how the COMM major fits into your College's requirements and University requirements, check out the Academic Planning webpage.

To begin building your own personalized long-term plan, download the Academic Planning Worksheet and save a copy.