Communication Arts
Arts and Humanities

Communication Arts is a major for those who:

• like to analyze and judge what other people say
• spend a lot of time talking back to television programs and professors
• feel they could do a better job creating a commercial, designing a newspaper, or writing a news article or a presidential speech
• enjoy arguing with friends
• thrive on government debate, television commentary, or the dissection of a sporting event
• find themselves leading a group project in class even when the swear they won't

Description
Professors of this major enjoy a persuasive speech or presentation. They challenge students to argue effectively, to understand the changing communication needs of society, and to use current media in ways that are innovative yet accessible to large groups of people.

The Communication Arts major aims to provide a quality and diversified education in communication arts that will produce graduates who meet superior standards of performance in oral and written communication, information processing techniques, business communication, interpersonal skills, and understanding basic communication theories.

Graduates from the two majors offered in this program will be prepared to assume entry level positions in the field of communication and further study in graduate programs. Because a broad knowledgeable background is required for students in this major, the program requires students who major in Communication Arts with an emphasis in Public Relations to take a minimum of 36 hours of communication-oriented courses. Integrated Language Arts is a 60-hour major for those students who wish to become certified teachers.

Courses required for the Communication Arts major

There are two undergraduate degree programs. Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts with an emphasis in Public Relations is designed to prepare students for careers in such fields as education, journalism, public relations and speech communication.

The basic objectives of the degree programs are:
1. To provide a flexible learning environment that will heighten the mastery of subject matter and specific skills within the related areas of communication arts.

2. To foster scholarship and provide learning experience that will prepare students for certain careers and/or provide them with the basic skills and knowledge needed to pursue higher or professional degrees.

3. To provide opportunities and skills for non-majors who wish to supplement and broaden their educational experience in communication arts.