Communication Curriculum

B.A. In Communication

Mission

Graduates will be able to make a positive, professional, and important contribution in the field of communication (Media Environments; Organizational Contexts; and Graduate School) by becoming inclusive, ethical, and effective leaders and participants in global and local communities.

Overview

The Communication Department focuses on the study, research, and practice of the “mash-up” in on-line, film and print media including journalism, video, audio, broadcast, advertising, and public relations. Courses involve substantial scholarly research as well as hands-on development of podcasting, filmmaking, and on-line and print newspapers, graphics, blogs, magazines, advertising and public relations campaigns.

The curriculum has a dual emphasis. In core courses students study and research the communication process from a variety of perspectives. In the two interdependent options; Media Productions and Professional Communications students learn the theory, practice, and skills involved in crafting comprehensive internal and external communication campaigns, from newsletters to advertising and public relations writing, editing, as well as, filming, and producing news, broadcasts, professional video, magazines, feature writing, editorials, documentary filmmaking, graphic designs and the use of the internet.

In order for the students to thrive in graduate school and the competitive market of the Communication industry, the curriculum requires them take up to 24 specialized lecture/activity courses and workshops, that give them experience with using electronic, print, photographic, and audio/visual equipment in our two labs and one TV/Podcast studio.

The skill sets that the students take away from the Communication courses are crucial for a successful career in the media industry as well as graduate school. Employers expect our over 450 Communication majors to acquire the most up-to-date skills in research, critical and creative thinking, writing, and organizational and media productions. Graduates are able to study, research and deliver effective and artful messages via a variety of media.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

1. Create, analyze, edit, and respond to written, spoken, and visual messages in multiple formats and contexts.
2. Research and evaluate effective communication including design and production techniques using quantitative, qualitative, and critical inquiry.
3. Effectively communicate as leaders and participants in collaborative and individual contexts involving divergent ideas, conflicts, and relationships across cultural and gender differences.
4. Explain and illustrate the construction and maintenance of shared communities that influence and are influenced by communication using critical, cultural, racial, socio-political, gender and justice perspectives.
5. Explain and illustrate concepts of ethical and democratic leadership applying major communication perspectives including rhetorical and discursive processes, purposes, and relevant media.
6. Explain and illustrate the role identity plays in communication within global and local contexts and in negotiating paradoxes of participation.

BA In Communication