Communication Studies

Communication is an individual’s most distinct and significant behavior and is the building block of literacy; the ability to speak and write clearly, eloquently, and effectively has been recognized as the hallmark of an educated person since the beginning of recorded history.

The Communication Studies Department views communicative behavior as central to human activity: to individual development, to interpersonal relationships, and to the functioning of political, economic, cultural, and social institutions.

Forthcoming Courses

The following courses are currently under review and subject to change.

Capstone Project

Students choose from a range of culminating projects, such as a professional reflective portfolio, internship-based project, analytical paper, or traditional research project for students who pursue a PhD program.

Grant and Proposal Writing

Emphasizes a rhetorical approach to composing academic, business and grant proposals. Students study collaborative writing, oral presentation, and document and presentation design.

Health Communication

This survey course introduces students to the theories and ethical practices related to health literacy, covering but not limited to: hospitals and healthcare systems, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, research firms and foundations, government agencies, and public health departments.

Health Communication Policy

This course introduces students to the interrelationships between political, sociological, and ethical issues within the framework of public policy and legal information in the healthcare system.

Health Communication Campaigns

This course emphasizes the theory and principles of organizational and interpersonal communication focusing on writing and speaking skills, problem solving, team building, cultural competency, conflict resolution, and patient advocacy within a healthcare delivery system.

Information Design

Offers students theories and applied practice in computer-mediated learning, multi-modal layout, and information design, including: symbols, pictograms, maps, charts, and narratives working within dynamic, interactive, and persuasive designs.

Pragmatics of Technical Communication

Offers students theories and applied practices in composing user-centered documents that include but are not limited to: user and installation guides, maintenance and reference manuals, technical reports, FAQs, and user protocols.

Publication Layout and Design

Focuses on the editing and designing of professional publications.

Rhetoric and Game Theory

Explores strategic thinking and cooperative and non-cooperative game theory. Students study theories and practices within epistemic concepts and articulated frameworks. Topics covered may include: Bayesian, stochastic and coalition games, Nash equilibrium, evolutionary stability, asymmetric information and bargaining, with examples drawn from multiple disciplines.

Speechwriting and Professional Presentation

Explores speechwriting as a rhetorical process. Students will work independently and collaboratively to compose and deliver speeches for themselves and for others.

Strategic Planning and Leadership

Provides an introduction to strategic planning and leadership in the field of professional communication and explores how leadership works to integrate strategic planning with an organization’s mission and objectives.

The Teaching of Communications

Designed for students interested in teaching communication in college: theory, pedagogy, andragogy, teaching philosophy, textbooks, lesson plans, with practice.

Visual Rhetoric

Emphasizes studying the strategies related to the persuasiveness of visual imagery. Areas of study may include: maps, art, public service announcements, commercials, television, drama and film.

Programs

Undergraduate Major

Undergraduate Minor

Graduate

Professional Communication, MA