Program Overview

Communication Studies Program

The Communication Studies program is designed to develop cultural awareness and critical thinking skills, enabling students to analyze and produce a broad range of discourse in various careers.

Overview

Communication studies address the ways in which words, images, gestures, and symbols reflect and affect human behavior. The program explores the many ways that communication can be used to effect change in culture, law, politics, business, and other realms.

Career Opportunities

Graduates work and intern in a range of jobs in fields such as public relations, marketing, advertising, social media, television, radio, magazines, human resources, event planning, education, nonprofits, and technology. Some graduates start their own businesses, while others pursue graduate school in communication, law, public health, strategic communications, and education.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate an understanding of how communication shapes patterns of social interaction, cultural values and norms, political practices, and relations of power.
• Use methodological tools to analyze interpersonal, intercultural, and rhetorical discourse.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the possibilities, problems, and history of discourse and deliberation in democracy.

Program Structure

The program consists of four semesters, with the following courses:

Semester 1

• Rhetoric & the Public Sphere (4 credits, ESTU 203)
• Communication & Everyday Life (2 credits, ESTU 340)
• Critical & Rhetorical Methods (4 credits, ESTU 657)

Semester 2

• Relational Communication (4 credits, ESTU 768)
• Public Relations Campaigns (4 credits, ESTU 432)
• Rhetoric of Social Movements (2 credits, ESTU 873)

Semester 3

• Rhetoric & the Public Sphere (4 credits, ESTU 203)
• Communication & Everyday Life (2 credits, ESTU 340)
• Critical & Rhetorical Methods (4 credits, ESTU 657)

Semester 4

• Relational Communication (4 credits, ESTU 768)
• Public Relations Campaigns (4 credits, ESTU 432)
• Rhetoric of Social Movements (2 credits, ESTU 873)

Degree Requirements

The total credit requirement for the program is 40 credits.