Minor in Communication Studies
The Department emphasizes two areas of study, Interpersonal Communication and Public Communication. The program promotes the growth of and knowledge about communication and its uses to achieve individual, group, and societal goals. Students explore the functions, processes, channels, and influences of communication. They work to acquire proficiency in critical analysis, social scientific and humanistic research methods, argumentation, and oral written presentation.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the Minor, students should be able to:
- Define communication in interpersonal and rhetorical contexts.
- Analyze and evaluate messages and interaction in interpersonal and rhetorical settings.
- Identify and discuss historical developments and key theories in interpersonal and rhetorical communication.
- Recognize and explain self-reflexivity in rhetorical and interpersonal contexts.
- Read critically and analyze productively published research articles.
- Recognize and explain multiple perspectives in rhetorical and interpersonal communication theory.
- Conduct original research in interpersonal and/or rhetorical communication at a level appropriate to capstone work in an undergraduate education.
- Identify and assess features of ethical and unethical interpersonal and rhetorical communication.
