Communication and Media

The Communication Arts concentration focuses on developing a broad array of knowledge and skills applicable to many careers, with particular emphasis on oral, interpersonal, organizational, intercultural communication and media studies. Students engage in a critical assessment of the values underlying communication practices, technologies, institutions, and their social and ethical consequences. Advisors work with students to develop a course of study based on a student’s interests and desired career path. 

Link your passion for social justice with a communication-based foundation and a variety of disciplinary perspectives to develop the knowledge and skills you need to understand and combat the social, cultural, and institutional causes of inequality, injustice and oppression.  The concentration provides excellent preparation for students wishing to become human rights, civil rights, or environmental advocates, community organizers, social workers, alternative media workers, or lobbyists, as well as those considering graduate study in the social sciences, social work, or law. 

Brainstorm, experiment, fail, try again and discover new ways to deal with challenges.  Creativity is the ability to come up with a variety of innovative solutions to a problem, and it is a skill that anyone can develop and apply to any field.  Students who select a concentration in Creativity Studies will combine the skills from their core communication classes with a variety of arts and learn to apply all of these in any future career path.  This is particularly beneficial for students who choose careers where they will be asked to develop creative ways to get across a message using multiple media or any field where innovation is critical. 

This concentration will provide students with an understanding of the many ways that communication plays a role in healthcare. Whether it is the interaction between a physician and a patient discussing treatment options for a serious illness, the unraveling of complicated healthcare insurance rules, or effectively explaining dangerous drug interactions to an elderly patient, healthcare in our society requires professionals who understand the importance of communication. 

The journalism concentration provides the core courses necessary for today’s digital, broadcast and print journalist. Students will learn the storytelling, reporting and media production skills essential for careers in journalism and study the issues shaping the field. The concentration emphasizes hands-on experience through interactive classes, working with student media organizations and internships with professional media organizations.

The public relations concentration prepares students to manage relationships between an organization and its key publics by becoming skilled in communicating across multiple media platforms, research, problem solving, strategic decision making, conflict resolution, speaking and campaign/event planning. Public relations practitioners are highly sought after in a wide range of industries, including business, government, education, sports, health care, and human services. 

The sports communication and public relations concentration is designed for the person who wants to promote sports and emphasizes applying public relations skills in a sports setting. Students study the complex relationship between sports and the media, how the business of sports works, and how sports reporters craft their stories. Students also gain experience through internships at professional sports organizations and sports media outlets.

The sports journalism concentration focuses on how to cover sports for television, websites and other digital media, magazines, and newspapers. Students learn to write and produce sports stories, study the complex relationship between sports and the media, and learn how the business of sports works. Students also gain hands-on experience through professional media internships and student media outlets.

Theatre is live storytelling for a physically present audience. We are constantly performing and creating stories in our everyday lives. Learn how to get your messages across more effectively through performance and production.  Students who take a concentration in Theatre will learn how to use creative problem solving skills, collaboration and improvisational thinking to benefit them in a variety of ways no matter which career path they choose.