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2014-2015 Undergraduate Bulletin [Archived Catalog]
Communication (B.A.)
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 Return to: Part 5: Program Descriptions
Program: B.A.
Department of Communication
College of Arts and Sciences
Neff Hall 230 ~ 260-481-6825 ~ ipfw.edu/comm/
The student learning outcomes for the degree are as follows:
- Be able to articulate the historical traditions of the discipline.
- Be aware of and skillful use in the use of new technologies relevant to the major.
- Be able to explain communication concepts and theories relevant to the major.
- Be able to explain, evaluate and apply the processes involved in productive conflict in the contexts (interpersonal, small group, organizational, mediated, public) relevant to the major.
- Demonstrate awareness of diverse perspectives.
- Be a competent reader, speaker, writer and listener.
- Evaluate interpersonal and group interactions.
To earn the B.A. with a major in communication, you must fulfill the requirements of IPFW (see Part 8 ), the College of Arts and Sciences (see Part 4 ), and the Department of Communication as listed below. You also must earn a minor in an appropriate discipline. Two courses in a major offered in the Department of Communication can also be counted in the required minor. If the minor is selected from an Arts and Sciences department, the courses may be used to satisfy distribution requirements in the College of Arts and Sciences.
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College of Arts and Sciences Requirements
Foreign Language
- Requirements in Arts and Sciences Part B Credits: 14
Distribution (not in COM)
- Requirements in Arts and Sciences Part C Credits: 9
Cultural Studies
- Requirements in Arts and Sciences Part D Credits: 6
Core and Concentration Courses
2.0 required for all courses in the major Communication Core: Credits: 15
Total Credit Hours for Major: 36 - 39
Choose one area of concentration: Credits: 21
Rhetoric/Public Advocacy:
A concentration in rhetoric will provide students with the tools to read, analyze, and criticize human discourse in relationship to persuasion. The pursuit of encouraging students to be more actively and critically engaged citizens is foundational to this emphasis. Grounded in argumentation and the symbolic dimensions of discourse, students within this concentration will learn both ancient and contemporary rhetorical theories. The ability to evaluate communication in its diverse formats prepares students (in combination with other majors and minors) for careers in law, higher education, social and political activism, speech writing, film making, and business.
Suggested Minors: Political science, women’s studies, history, psychology, sociology, film & media studies, English, linguistics, philosophy, religious studies, economics, labor studies, and criminal justice.
Students completing the Rhetoric and Public Advocacy concentration will be able to:
- Identify and apply the various concepts, processes, contexts, and theories of rhetoric;
- Discuss the ethical responsibilities of the rhetor and the rhetorical critic;
- Analyze various rhetorical discourses to become informed, critical receivers of persuasive messages in their professional and everyday lives;
- Recognize the relationships that exist among rhetoric, critical thinking, and democracy
- Develop and deliver strategic messages that employ effective techniques for advocacy and are tailored to specific audiences in deliberative forums; and
- Form judgments about the significance of rhetoric for understanding social and political issues and about the value of rhetoric for citizens.
Rhetoric and Public Advocacy Core: Credits: 15
Credits from among the following: Credits: 6
Interpersonal/Organizational
The Interpersonal/Organizational area of concentration is designed to educate students to become better communicators in both personal and professional contexts. Students learn about conflict management, group interaction, leadership, gender communication and intercultural communication, as well as organizational practices and relational dynamics. The concentration prepares students to work in a variety of areas (depending on the minor chosen) including: government, not-for-profit, sales, law, public and social service, public relations, human resources, business communication, and industry communication.
Suggested Minors: Anthropology, applied ethics, business studies, creative writing, criminal justice, economics, English, film and media studies, fine arts, fine arts history, French, German, history, human services, journalism, linguistics, media production, organizational leadership supervision, philosophy, political science, professional writing, psychology, public affairs, public relations, religious studies, sociology, Spanish, theatre, and women’s studies.
Students completing the Interpersonal/Organizational concentration will be able to:
- Evaluate interpersonal and / or group interactions; and
- Communicate competently (effectively, appropriately, ethically) interpersonally and /or in groups
Interpersonal and Organizational Core: Credits: 12
Credits from among the following: Credits: 9
Media and Culture:
With a concentration in Media and Culture, students will learn both the history and practices of media, meaning-making, and media industries from local to global levels. Students will develop understanding, insights, and practical skills necessary to an expanding and changing job market. This broad base integrates a variety of contexts including professional as well as advanced academic work. The minor that the students choose to pair with this concentration will be particularly important to help the student build specific skills in media analysis, media production, writing for mass media, public relations, new media, audience research, and other careers within the media industries.
Suggested Minors: Media production, journalism, public relations, political science, peace and conflict certificate, international studies certificate, and women’s studies.
Students completing the Media and Culture concentration will be able to:
- Identify and analyze both the history and practice of media industries;
- Identify and analyze relations between media, culture, and society;
- Apply theoretical concepts to critically analyze media content(s) and their relationships to audiences;
- Identify and analyze the form, structure, and techniques of mediated messages and consider how they function across local/global contexts;
- Apply the skills and knowledge gained from this concentration to their chosen minor.
Media and Culture Core: Credits: 12
Credits from among the following - in at least two areas: Credits: 12
Audiences and Emergent Media:
Globalization and Global Media:
Media Criticism and Analysis
Multimedia Newsgathering and Reporting
The area is designed to provide students with theoretical, conceptual and practical skills that they will need as a consumer and practitioner of journalism, and to enable students to fulfill their responsibilities as citizens in a self-governing democracy. The area will prepare students with essential skills for today’s digital media environment. Students will learn how to research, write, interview and produce news content, including written, audio and video components, for newspapers, magazines, television, radio and the Internet, including Web sites and social media.
Suggested minors: Biology, business studies, criminal justice, economics, labor studies, political science, psychology. public affairs, and sociology.
Students completing the multimedia newsgathering and reporting concentration will be able to:
- Understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located, as well as receive instruction in and understand the range of systems of freedom of expression around the world, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances
- Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications
- Demonstrate an understanding of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and, as appropriate, other forms of diversity in domestic society in relation to mass communications
- Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of the significance and impact of mass communications in a global society
- Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information
- Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity
- Think critically, creatively and independently
- Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work
- Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve
- Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness
- Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts
- Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work
Multimedia Newsgathering and Reporting Core: Credits 18
Credits from among the following: Credits: 6
Minor and Elective Courses
- Credits in approved minor (with grades of C or higher) Credits: 12–21
- Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120.
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Return to: Part 5: Program Descriptions
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