B.S. Digital Communication and Cultural Studies
Program Overview
Why Study This Program
Studies indicate that a broad education in communication studies increases the likelihood of obtaining employment and maintaining career success in such settings as government, medicine and health care, media, the arts, business and industry, education, and the family. In addition, this option provides students with an excellent foundation for graduate work leading to a M.A. or Ph.D. in communication.
Communication is essential for all aspects of life. Digital communication is an expansion of and integral to everyday communication across contexts-- interpersonal, small group, intercultural, organizational and public. Understanding communication requires recognition of the reciprocal influences of culture on communication and communication on culture. The strength of this option of study is its liberal arts orientation. The program is designed with the idea that knowledge of communication is for life. This program provides range and depth of knowledge in how processes of communication create and sustain society and culture. Students learn to critically analyze the social structures, cultural practices, organizations and institutions that result from our patterns of communication.
What Will You Learn?
Students who pursue this concentration will increase their understanding of communication theory and practice, the communicative processes that form meaning, and communication's involvement in sustaining society. A hallmark of the educated person is his or her ability to interpret communication situations and communicate appropriately. Communication plays a pivotal role in every aspect of personal, social, and work life. Students will receive practical and theoretical preparation necessary for achieving their potential. Critical and analytical studies focus on the circulation of meaning, distributions of power, and everyday ethical practices. Courses include interpersonal and small group communication, organizational communication, persuasion and public advocacy, race and gender studies, and theory integrated with research.
Courses delve into the critical role communication plays in every element of life along with examining deeper elements of communication, such as power distributions and ethical practices. Students leave this program feeling confident in their ability to interpret and apply communication in several settings, including success in employment and future graduate studies.