MISSION: The Department of Communication has the following mission: To teach communication that nurtures inclusive civil discourse, critical thinking, and cooperative solutions in a diverse world. We provide a strong liberal arts foundation and pathways to applied communication skills.

PROGRAMMATIC GOALS:

1. Knowing: Students acquire discipline-specific knowledge of theories and practices regarding messages and contexts of human communication. Students identify, apply, and appreciate expert knowledge, literature, and practice.
2. Thinking: Students develop and apply critical and cultural skills, including the ability to analyze and evaluate arguments, examine and synthesize information, critique media and other public discourses. Students practice reflective skills, including methods of self-observation, appraisal, and change in order to encourage cognitive and affective development.
3. Expressing: Students develop and practice writing skills, including expository, persuasive, scholarly, and professional writing. Students develop and perform public communication skills, including persuasive, informative, team, and professional presentations. Students utilize appropriate communication technologies. In writing, speaking, and utilizing technology, they learn and practice audience analysis and adaptation. In the public arena, they model inclusive civil discourses.
4. Interacting: Students identify and refine interaction behaviors in interpersonal relationships, problem-solving groups, rhetorical texts, organizations, and intercultural settings. They practice active listening and cooperative communication skills in decision-making across contexts.
5. Valuing: Students enhance their understanding of diverse perspectives. Students have opportunities to engage in community-based learning with diverse organizations and populations. Students expand their knowledge of ethical behavior. They recognize the consequences of actions on themselves and varying communities in our complex world. (See below)

PROGRAMMATIC LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The B.A. in Communication attracts the majority of our majors (about 99%). We expect the following of the BA in Communication and the BA in Communication-Elementary Education:

Goal: Knowing
Students can define communication.
Students can explain major theoretical communication perspectives.
Students can discuss major contexts of human communication.
Students can read and use communication literature.

Goal: Thinking
Students can construct persuasive arguments.
Students can analyze and evaluate others' arguments.
Students can recognize credible information.
Students can reflect on self concepts and behaviors.
Students can appraise appropriateness of their own and other communication behaviors.
Students can analyze and critique media and other public discourses.

Goal: Expressing
Students can analyze and adapt to various audiences and situations in their speaking and writing.
Students can write college-level expository and persuasive essays.
Students can write college-level communication research papers.
Students can use correctly major citation styles, including APA and MLA.
Students can perform skilled public speaking, including informational, persuasive, and team presentations.

Goal: Interacting
Students can identify and refine their interaction in one or more of the following: interpersonal relationships, problem-solving groups, organizations, intercultural settings.
Students can listen actively across contexts.
Students can cooperate and solve problems in decision-making groups.

Goal: Valuing
Students participate in guided discussions regarding diverse perspectives.
Students engage in community-based learning with diverse organizations and populations.
Students partake in guided discussions regarding ethical choices. They recognize the consequences of actions on themselves and varying communities in our complex world.