Communication department mission and Degree
Requirements
Gail R. Henson, Ph.D., Chair
Brown Activities Center 219, Phone: 502 452-8223 ghenson@bellarmine.edu
Ruth R. Wagoner, Ph. D.,
Kyle Barnett, Ph.D.,
Edward Manassah, M. A., Executive in Residence
Mission of the Department of Communication The mission of the Bellarmine University Department of Communication is to teach and research the wide varieties of ways in which we communicate. Students will develop the knowledge, skills and professional competencies in communication necessary for successful living, work, leadership and service to others.
Specifically the Department of Communication mission is to ensure students will:
be effective in oral, written and intercultural communication,
be able to think critically and analytically
to understand communication technologies in both historic and current contexts
be knowledgeable creators, consumers, and shapers of media in all forms and
be able to address the moral and ethical dimensions of all types of communication.
Take an active role as citizens who are media literate
Shapers, consumers, and interpreters of media
Department of Communication The Department of Communication teaches its students about the nature of media and human communication. The Department teaches its students about the media, their history, economic realities, potential, responsibilities, and effects. Further, the Department teaches its students about new communication technologies. The Department wants its students to develop an understanding of the many facets of human communication: interpersonal, intercultural, group, and team. The Department wants its students to become leaders in their chosen field of communication. The Department emphasizes the ethical aspects of all facets of communication.
The Department of Communication offers a rich and exciting curriculum and variety of experiences that develop the intellectual and professional understanding and skills in communication. Majors in the Department of Communication may concentrate their studies in one of five areas: professional writing, media and cultural studies, integrated communication, visual communication, or organizational communication.
The learning outcomes for students in the communication major are that they will successfully
demonstrate critical thinking skills
demonstrate effective oral communication skills
demonstrate professional writing skills
demonstrate interpersonal and intercultural competence
demonstrate an understanding of media and their impact on society
demonstrate the ability to address the ethical and moral dimension of communication
be prepared for a program of graduate studies.
The Department offers two minors: Communication (18 hours) and Writing (19 hours).
Bachelor of Arts Requirements for a Major in Communication, 30-51 hours
Pre-major classes: Comm 103 Public Speaking, Comm 120 Grammar and Editing, and Comm1__ Critical Thinking are required for students; they do not count toward the major.
Common core: 18 hours. Comm 200 Media and Society, Comm 302 Interpersonal Communication, Comm 303 Communication Theory, Comm 313 Intercultural Communication, Comm 400 Communication Ethics, and Comm 444 Internship.
Major Options 12-33 hours Students may pursue a general Communication Studies approach to the major or one that is more focused into an emphasis or track. Focusing classes may help a student with career or post-baccalaureate objectives. There are many options for communication students, so we encourage students to dabble in a variety of areas. All students take six hours of advanced writing classes as part of the major.
Advanced writing classes include: Comm 203, 300, 304, 309, 321, 326, 349, and 3__ (new class in New Media). Special writing electives may be offered that would apply to the writing requirement, e.g. reporting.
Comm 205 Business and Professional Communication does not count toward the major.
Foreign Language proficiency is strongly encouraged. Study abroad is highly recommended.
Requirements for a Minor in Communication: 18 hours.
Comm 103 or 205, Comm 400, and 12 hours of communication electives. Nine hours must be at the 300-400 level.
Minor in Writing: 19 hours
Students with a strong interest in writing may declare a writing minor. In addition to Comm 120 Grammar and Editing, students select six advanced writing classes. These may be selected from offerings in the Communication and English Departments such as: Comm 203 Business Writing, Comm 300/English 300 Rhetoric, Comm 304 Writing for the Mass Media, Comm/English 309 Technical writing, Comm 312 Newswriting and Editing, Comm 341 Feature Writing, Comm 326 Literary journalism, Writing for New Media, Comm 349 speech Writing, English 312 Creative Writing: Poetry, English 313 Creative Writing: Fiction; English 314 Creative Writing: Non-fiction; English 320 Playwriting. Other writing classes that are offered may be considered.
Communication Studies (general major) 12-33 hours beyond the core. Students with general interests in communication may choose this direction, especially if they have a second major. They will select two advanced writing classes and two other electives at the 300-400 level. Once students have completed the minimum 12 hours, they may take any additional communication electives.
The Integrated Communication Track: 15-33 hours beyond the core. Students interested in careers in advertising, public relations, or marketing communication will choose this track. Students study Comm 307 Advertising, Comm 308 Public Relations, and Integrated Marketing Communication. Students are encouraged to take related classes, including Comm 310 Graphic Communication, Comm 340 Advanced Graphic Communication, Comm 319 Multimedia Communication. Suggested double major: Business administration, economics, art, psychology Writing classes recommended: Comm 304 Writing for the Mass Media, Writing for New Media, Comm 203 Business Writing.
Visual Communication Track: 15-33 hours beyond the core. Students interested in visual perception, design and production may choose this track. Students select a minimum of 9 hours from the following: Comm 306 Visual Communication, Comm 310 Graphic Communication, Comm 319 Multimedia Communication, Comm 323 Photojournalism. Comm 340 Advanced graphic communication. Additional electives as desired. Writing classes recommended: Comm 304 Writing for the Mass Media. Writing for new media, Comm 309 Technical Writing. Suggested double major: art, business administration, psychology
Professional Writing Track: 15-33 hours beyond the core. Students with an interest in professional writing, journalism, or corporate communication will find this track appealing. Students select six classes in writing from those offered in the department. Comm 203 Business Writing, Comm 300 Rhetoric, Comm 304 Writing for the Mass Media, Comm 309 Technical Writing, 312 Newswriting and Editing, 321 Feature writing, 326 Literary journalism, 349 Speechwriting, Writing for New media, and other writing courses as offered in the Communication department. Additional electives as desired. Suggested double major: English, philosophy.
Organizational Communication Track 15-33 hours beyond the core. Students interested in law, human resources, training and development, leadership, or public policy might choose this track. Minimum hours Students select a minimum of 9 hours from the following Comm 311 Organizational Communication, 315 Advanced Public Speaking, 350 Persuasion, 317 Leadership Communication, Comm 301 Group and Team Communication, 316 Great American Speeches, 330 Communication in the Courtroom, 350 Persuasion. Additional electives as desired. Suggested writing classes: Comm 300 Rhetoric, Comm 349 Speech writing. Suggested double major: philosophy, political science, psychology, economics.
Media and Cultural Studies courses: 15-33 hours beyond the core How do media affect society? How is our culture shaped by media? This track emphasizes the interplay between culture and communication and the impact of media on society. Students select a minimum of 9 hours from the following: 220 Mass media and popular culture; Broadcasting, Comm 327 Mass Media and American Politics, 332 Urban Culture and American society, 345 Film Studies, 346 Children and media, 347 Film Genre Studies, 348 Documentary, First Amendment, International Media. Suggested writing classes: Comm 312 Newswriting and Editing, Comm 304 Writing for the mass Media, Comm 3__ Writing for New Media. Suggested double major: English, psychology, history, sociology.
*Note: The Department routinely offers topics courses under the designation of 341 or 342 which may be appropriate for any of the tracks. Students may take an independent study or an internship within any track.
Critical Thinking This class develops students’ abilities to think critically. Critical thinking involves analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it. Students learn to raise questions, identify types of reasoning, and apply relevant criteria to arguments.
First Amendment This course examines the First Amendment and its protections to five freedoms prized by people in the United States. The course examines the beginnings of the amendment, considers historic struggles related to balancing First Amendment rights, and current contemporary conflicts. As required.
Writing for New Media This production-based course examines issues related to reading and writing copy for the web. Students will develop the ability to communicate effectively in a multitude of online and electronic formats, including applications for journalism, advertising, public relations, and graphic design.
International Media This course focuses on the increased importance of international media communication, changing media technologies and practices, and the meanings of globalization. Discussing international media will necessarily include political, technological, economic, and cultural dynamics. This course will address these through analyzing multinational media conglomerates, technological innovation and national borders, media regulation, cultural imperialism, immigration/emigration, and cultural hybridity. As required.
Integrated Marketing Communication This course introduces the students to integrated marketing communications. Corporate image and brand management, buyer behaviors, advertising tools, trade promotions, public relations, personal selling, database marketing, and customer relationship management is addressed. Every other spring.
Communication Research Methods Students learn essential quantitative and qualitative techniques used in communication research. The course will include such methods as survey research, content and interaction analysis, ethnographic research, rhetorical criticism, and conversation and discourse analysis.
Communication 30-51 hours Suggested program for Bachelor of Arts Degree, all tracks
126 hours are required to graduate
Freshman Year English 101 English 200 Reading Literature
Freshman Focus IDC 100 Comm 103 Public Speaking
General Education History 116/117 Comm 120 Grammar & Editing
General Education Science Phil 160 Intro to Philosophy
General Education IDC 101 General Education Science
General Education Natural Science General Education Fine Arts
Sophomore Year Comm 1__ Critical Thinking Comm 302 Interpersonal
Comm 200 Media and Society Comm Elective
IDC 200 American Experience Philosophy 301 Ethics
Math 205 Statistics Comm writing class
Theo 200 Ultimate Questions elective
General Education Social Sciences elective
Junior Year
Comm 303 Communication theory Comm 444 Internship
Comm 313 Intercultural Communication Comm elective
Comm advanced writing course Theology elective
IDC 300 Transcultural experience Elective
Elective Elective
Senior Year Comm elective Comm 400 Communication ethics
Comm elective Elective
IDC 401 Senior seminar Elective
Elective Elective
Elective Elective
