Communication

A Major and Minor

To be effective in all realms of professional and personal life, you must possess skills in three types of communication: interpersonal, oral, and written.

The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Communication includes twelve courses of in-depth study in the field of communication. The Department of Communication offers courses in three fields: interpersonal communication, mass communication, and electronic media production.

The Communication minor requires four courses and is available to all students. Students work with a faculty advisor to create a personalized course of study.

Studying Communication at Bryant University

Communication is essential to personal development, interpersonal relationships, and the function of cultural, political, and social institutions.

The small classes and close faculty interaction offered at Bryant allow students to investigate in depth all aspects of the communication process. The Communication faculty includes prominent scholars, teachers, and media industry professionals.

Through the study and application of communication theories, research, and skills students learn about the ethical issues inherent to communication in a democratic society, the impact of communication on the quality of relationships, professional endeavors, and our social world, an awareness of one’s active role in the process and interpretation of meanings in various modes of communication, and how to consume and interpret critically mediated information in a complex global world.

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in Communication offers students cutting edge theory and research in Communication, as well as how to apply that theory and research in real-world settings. The state-of-the-art Communications Complex offers a digital television and editing studio; the Media Production Club offers hands-on opportunities to experience life in front of the camera; 88.7 WJMF is the student-run radio station; and The Archway, the student-run newspaper, offers the opportunity to find, research, and write news.

Courses

In addition to the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements, the Communication major requires:

• Introduction to Communication
• Interpersonal Communication
• Mass Communication
• Communication Research Methods
• Senior Seminar in Communication Theory
• Five (5) Communication Electives
• Two (2) 400 level Communication Electives

The Communication minor requires:

• Introduction to Communication
• One 200 level communication elective
• One 300 level communication elective
• One 400 level communication elective

For detailed course descriptions, please refer to the course catalog. Course names are listed in alphabetical order.

Opportunities After Graduation

Communication skills are an important asset to any career, including:

• Advertising
• Public Relations
• Electronic Media
• Radio/Television Production
• Journalism
• Business Communication
• Education
• Government
• Politics
• Technology
• Health Care
• International Relations and Negotiations
• Social and Human services

In addition, students are well-prepared to pursue graduate study.

For More Information

To learn more about the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Communication or the minor, please contact:

Wendy Samter, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Department of Communication
wsamter@bryant.edu