The department offers courses in rhetoric, interpersonal communication, communication theory and research, social media, nonverbal communication, media writing, public relations, theatre, and other specialized communication contexts.

The department of Communication Arts offers the following degree programs:

• Communication Arts BA
• Theatre BA
• Writing BA
• Communication Arts Minor
• Theatre Minor

Program Objectives

The Department of Communication Arts offers a variety of classes that critically examine the public, professional, cultural and personal dimensions of human communication. Our comprehensive program strategically weaves together core courses in the humanistic tradition of rhetorical theory and practice with social-scientific perspectives on communication. This curriculum capitalizes on the field?s far-reaching theoretical span, having roots in ancient Greco-Roman civilizations, where rhetoric became the capstone of education and the lifeblood of civic activity, and having fertile branches in the communication media of the present and future. Our goal for the communication arts degree is to equip majors with the critical thinking skills necessary to insightfully interpret persuasive messages, carefully reflect on the relationship between humanity and persuasion, and effectively participate in a variety of communicative contexts.

The department allows students to focus on traditional rhetorical studies, with emphasis on speech, textual criticism and argument; human communication, which explores and challenges communicative rules, theories, norms, and strategies in the personal practice of interpersonal communication; and media studies, which considers various genres and channels of communication in the age of new media. Students completing the degree in communication may pursue work in public relations, social media management, fund-raising, advertising, marketing, and other communication-intensive positions, or they may pursue law school or other graduate education.

As teachers, our department is committed to developing mentoring relationships with students and maintaining rigorous standards for the classroom. Our department also recognizes the symbiotic relationship between active research and creative teaching. Therefore we maintain a climate that encourages scholarly interaction through departmental meetings, academic conferences, and scholarly publication. Finally, our department takes seriously its service to the students, the university, the community, and the profession. Through course offerings and committees we serve the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Science, the women's studies program, as well as other university departments and programs.