Communication Department

"We Cannot Not Communicate"
Paul Watzlawick

The Communication Department pursues the study of how humans make and interpret meaning through the design, delivery and evaluation of messages as individuals, in media, and in various cultures and contexts. In pursuit of this overall goal, three fields of study are offered: Communication Studies, Media Studies, and Public Relations.

All three majors emphasize analytical thinking, writing and oral expression, and require an internship which creates a bridge between theory and applied knowledge. This broad communication background is accomplished through the communication core of 5 courses (15 credit hours) required of all three majors. Students, undecided about a major, may take core courses before selecting their particular major. Core courses include: COMM 105, 320, 327, 418, and an internship (COMM 495, 496, or COMM497). This broad background together with each major’s required and elective courses prepares communication department graduates to apply their knowledge and skills to careers in business, not-for-profit organizations, public relations, broadcasting, print and new media platforms, or service-oriented fields. These majors also prepare our graduates for graduate study in such areas as interpersonal communication, organizational behavior, instructional communication, public relations, or integrated marketing communication.

Majors and minors, as well as non-majors, benefit from a flexible program of courses and co-curricular activities, such as serving as disc jockeys and staff for C92- FM, the campus radio station, or writing, editing or serving as staff for The Pharos, the campus newspaper, and individually tailored internships. In consultation with department faculty, students may select courses that will prove helpful in achieving individual goals. Majors and minors within the department may not be combined.