Department of Communication

Undergraduate

The Communication Major

The study of communication is one of the oldest and the most contemporary of fields. Communication majors examine important questions about society, communication, and persuasion in a way that combines the best of the ancient liberal arts tradition with the critical attention to the newest media technologies.

In courses such as persuasion, argument, interpersonal communication, political rhetoric, rhetoric of science, nonverbal communication, history of media, media criticism, and television and society, our faculty offer diverse views on the roles of communication, media, and rhetoric in our lives.

A degree in communication is not vocational in design, although many of the Department of Communication's graduates hold important positions in industry, education, the media, government, law, and various other professions. An understanding of communication as a human activity, as defined above, makes the department's graduates attractive candidates when seeking employment or obtaining admission to graduate programs.

Our Program

About 500 students are currently enrolled in the communication program, which offers 41 undergraduate courses. The average size of upper-level courses is 30 students. A standard high school preparation is sufficient for entry into the program.

Announcements

Stay Informed

Comm Majors, if you would like to be included on the Comm e-mail list, send your name and e-mail address to comm@pitt.edu.

Join the Communication Club

Energetic undergraduates wanted for Comm Club! Contact student Andrew Marshall at: pitt.comm.club@gmail.com or Dr. Gareis at gareis@pitt.edu.

Join Lambda Pi Eta

Lambda Pi Eta is the official communication studies honor society of the National Communication Association (NCA). 

the 2008 Oratory Competition Winners

Graduation Commencement Category: 1st Place Amy Fisk Senior, 2nd Place Andrew Marshall Senior, and 3rd Place Nina Trbovich Senior. The Informative Category: 1st Place Theresa Forrest Junior, 2nd Place Steve Roach Freshman, and 3rd Place Mary Ellen Lisman Senior. The Persuasive Category: 1st Place Jason Damon Junior, 2nd Place Matt Schultz Sophomore, 3rd Place Samantha Allen Sophomore and Katie Walzer Freshman.

Undergraduate News

Read the latest news about the Comm Undergraduate program.

2007-08 Spiegel Award Winners
The winner of the 2006-07 Jennifer and Eric Spiegel Book Award competition is Carter Hoel. Runner-up was Daniel Ehni, and honorable mention went to Trevor Beaver.