Faculty: Conners, Chair; Allen, Beerman, Lindia, Merrill, Mutua-Mambo, and Roberts.
The communication studies discipline is rooted in rhetoric, a time-honored art central to a liberal arts education. The discipline turned in more of a social science direction in the late 20th century and developed a considerable body of theory and research in interpersonal, small-group, intercultural, organizational, and political communication. In addition, the discipline has applied both rhetorical and social science perspectives to online media. Thus, communication studies is a field that today is truly interdisciplinary.
The Communication Studies major serves as a foundation to the pursuit of many careers ranging from work in media and public relations to work within political, healthcare, or business contexts. Through an internship, related coursework, and co-curricular activities, a Communication Studies major may further explore these career opportunities. The major has the following goals:
- To introduce students to issues, theory, and research in the three major areas of the communication studies discipline (rhetoric, mass communication, and human communication).
- To equip students with the basic public, interpersonal, and group communication skills and to give them the opportunity to supplement these with more specialized oral, written, and visual communication skills.
- To equip students with the appropriate social science and/or rhetorical research methods that will allow them to engage in structured independent research opportunities.