Overview
Communication, by its very nature, is interdisciplinary, requiring a broad understanding of human behavior; an awareness of the vast diversity, as well as the strong similarities, among humans and human cultures; the global nature of how humans are connected to each other; and the critical need to communicate accurately and ethically.
The goal of the Science & Arts communication program is to teach students how to increase shared understanding, whether interpersonally, in small groups, in a public forum, or among millions through the mass media. Rather than the narrow view of a specialist, today’s communication graduate must develop a broad perspective that allows him or her to create effective messages in oral, written, and visual form. This is the focus of the Science & Arts program as students learn how, why, and with what effects humans communicate.
The curriculum is based on journalistic principles grounded in research and ethical application of theory in real-world situations. Courses in news reporting, public relations, public speaking, small group dynamics, mass media, graphic design, and photography prepare students for careers in virtually any arena or further study on the graduate level. In addition to the core communication courses that are required of all communication majors, the department also offers special topics and workshops that are generated by the interests of both students and instructor, such as broadcast production, television programming, and humor in communication.