To earn the B.A. degree in Communication Studies, students must complete the University general education requirements, the foreign language requirement, and the B.A. Communication Studies requirements (all are detailed in the back of this handbook).
As students complete departmental requirements for the B.A. in Communication Studies they are expected to develop the following competencies:
- Speaking Competency
To help students to develop competency as speakers, the following measures are taken:- A minimum of one graded speaking assignment is offered in every Communication Studies course. Whenever possible, several graded speaking assignments are included in a course. Exceptions to this practice may occur when circumstances beyond control cause class size to increase to a point which prevents incorporation of a speaking assignment or when the instructor deems it inappropriate to include a graded speaking assignment.
- Speaking experiences are provided in a variety of communication settings. These settings include dyadic, small group, public, and mass communication.
- Students are encouraged to practice their speaking skills in such cocurricular activities as: Forensics, the Communication Club, the campus radio station, I.G.A., and state and regional communication association conventions. Evidence of participation in cocurricular activities is to be provided by students for inclusion in their departmental file.
- Writing Competency
The following efforts are made to insure that each communication major will be a competent writer.- All B.A. Communication Studies majors are strongly urged to complete at least one English composition course in addition to the composition courses required for general education. A minor in journalism or writing should also be considered.
- Students must earn a “C” grade or better in WRT120 and WRT200 (or its equivalent: 204, 205, 206, 208, or 220).
- Listening Competency
Competency in listening is promoted through the inclusion of topics and assignments related to critical and active listening in several of the required communication courses. - Knowledge of Communication Theory
Students are provided with an opportunity for concentrated study of communication theory in COM 219: Communication Theory. In addition, each course in the department draws upon communication theory to help students to identify principles and practices of effective communication. - Critical Thinking Ability
Various activities involved in communication courses help to promote critical thinking ability. Examples of such activities include the following: use of the Dewey method of reflective thinking in small group problem solving; analyses of story boards, public speeches and research studies; preparation and presentation of debate cases; and study of the relationships among language, thought, and behavior. - Poise, Self-Confidence, Competitiveness, Assertiveness & Self-Adjustment
These characteristics are promoted in two important ways. First, the developmental structure of required course work helps students to succeed by building individual competencies into a solid structure of ability. Second, numerous opportunities are provided for competition, achievement, and success. These opportunities occur in curricular as well as cocurricular activities and they include internships in non-campus settings. - Ethics
The skillful use of speech communication can have powerful and far-reaching effects. Because of this, those who provide training in speech communication assume an obligation to promote its ethical use. To meet this obligation instructors in the department identify and enforce ethical standards in all classes and cocurricular activities, they model ethical behavior in their speaking, teaching, and research, and they promote understanding of ethical responsibility by sponsoring and promoting programs which deal with ethical responsibility in communication. - Research Skills
Students who enroll in the B.A. Communication Studies program develop research skills by successfully completing a course in communication research concepts and by successfully completing projects and activities in other communication courses. The skills developed include: reading and interpreting the findings of communication research studies; phrasing research questions; gathering data to answer research questions; organizing and analyzing data which is gathered; and preparing oral, written, and visual projects which are sound in content, structure, and form. - Computer Literacy
To develop students’ interests and abilities in computer literacy, the department offers a course in Fundamentals of Communication Technology, as well as advanced courses in Computer-Mediated Communication. Students are encouraged to enroll in additional courses in computer science, computer graphics, and web applications. In addition, attempts are made to provide seminars and workshops that feature demonstrations of current computer hardware and software. - Visual Literacy
The department offers courses in media to help students improve their visual literacy and gain familiarity with concepts and styles of visual communication. To further develop their visual literacy, students are encouraged to enroll in courses in art and graphic design, and to participate in cocurricular activities such as WCU-TV and The Quad.