B.A. Degree in Communication Studies
Description
The Communication Studies represents a unique major with its roots in Aristotle's examination of the art of logic, argument, and persuasion. Over time, the communication discipline has evolved to examine human interaction and behavior using social scientific approaches to understand the world. As a result, Communication Studies also aims to bridge the gap between the study of psychology (i.e., the mind) and sociology (i.e., the context, the situation) by seeking to better understand human communication through social scientific practices. Today, researchers might take any number of approaches to examining human communication including a focus on message production, message processing, and message effects in a variety of contexts including interpersonal, group, intercultural, family, health, and social influence to name just a few. Communication is at the core of one's work, community, and personal relationships. We cultivate young professionals for successful careers in a variety of industries including: education, health care, technology, business, non-profits, helping professions, sales, and media organizations. To that end, students may complete the major as designed, or they may select a career-focused emphasis in 1) Event Planning and Promotion; 2) Communication Training and Development; 3) Sales Communication; and 4) Sports Communication.
Completion of 120 credits is required to graduate which includes the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core (42 credits).
Student Learning Outcomes
- Develop an ability to critically analyze a communication to discover its salient issues for purposes of developing an appropriate response.
- Develop an ability to identify and evidence responsive talking points that provide a critical response for the public (s) involved in the communication situation.
- Develop an ability to effectively partition the response as a means of maximizing the impact of the messaging on those involved in the communication situation.
- Develop an ability to strategically select the media platform(s) to be employed as a communication vehicle(s) to engage the public(s) involved in the communication situation.
- Develop an ability to effectively employ the use of visual and verbal symbols, motion and sound as a means of adding an appropriate level of clarity and emphasis to one's messaging.
- Develop the skill set(s) needed to effectively deliver one's message to those involved in the communication situation.
- Develop an understanding and commitment to upholding the ethical standards of communication that is a part of the situation being addressed.
Inherent to the above stated objectives are demonstrating a foundational knowledge of communication research methods and the role of research in the creation of knowledge; recognizing, diagnosing, and responding to communication situations using appropriate communication theories and concepts; effectively presenting communication messages in a variety of contexts and situations; to analyzing communication messages in a variety of cultures, contexts and situations; and to demonstrating the knowledge to successfully manage group environments and / or interpersonal relationships.
Program Delivery Mode
Land plus: face-to-face where some online courses may be available or required
Core Requirements
( 30 credits )
COMM 110 Introduction to Communication Studies (3)
COMM 201 Interpersonal Communication (3) OR
COMM 202 Family Communication (3)
COMM 211 Group and Team Communication (3)
COMM 285 Intercultural Communication (3)
COMM 301 Business and Professional Communication (3)
COMM 310 Rhetorical Theory and Criticism (3) OR
COMM 410 Rhetoric of Popular Culture (3)
COMM 311 Principles of Persuasion (3)
COMM 315 Communication Theory (3)
COMM 319 Communication Research Methods (3)
COMM 496 Communication Studies Senior Seminar (3) *Must earn grade of C- or above.
Designated Writing Intensive Course for Major
COMM 301 Business and Professional Communication
COMM 310 Rhetorical Theory and Criticism
Restricted Electives
( 21 credits )
21 credits of unrestricted electives drawn from any COMM or LEAD rubric courses, and may include COMM 100.
Emphasis in Event Planning and Promotion
Program Requirements
Required core of 30 credits, plus 9 credits of unrestricted electives drawn from courses carrying a COMM or LEAD rubric, as well as the following 12 credits of restricted credits: COMM 210 Media Writing (3). COMM 284 Public Relations Principles (3), COMM 307 Writing for Public Relations (3), and COMM 383 Event Planning (3).
Emphasis in Communication Training and Development
Program Requirements
Required core of 30 credits, plus 9 credits of unrestricted electives drawn from courses carrying a COMM or LEAD rubric, as well as the following 12 credits of restricted credits: LEAD 301 Introduction to Leadership (3). COMM 317 Training and Development (3), COMM 376 Crisis Communication (3), and COMM 401 Organizational Communication (3).
Emphasis in Sales Communication
Program Requirements
Required core of 30 credits, plus 9 credits of unrestricted electives drawn from courses carrying a COMM or LEAD rubric, as well as the following 12 credits of restricted credits: COMM 352 Social Media Campaigns (3), COMM 354 Social Media Metrics (3), COMM 366 Personal Selling (3), and COMM 423 Marketing Communication (3).
Emphasis in Sports Communication
Program Requirements
Required core of 30 credits, plus 9 credits of unrestricted electives drawn from courses carrying a COMM or LEAD rubric, as well as the following 12 credits of restricted credits: COMM 210 Media Writing(3), COMM 380 Foundations of Sports Communication (3), COMM 381 Sports and the Media (3), and COMM 382 Sports Promotion (3).