Pictured | Kara West | Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Relational Communication and Social Interactions | South Bend, Indiana (hometown)
Volunteer Activity | Transformation Ministries

Select One Concentration (21 cr.)

Journalism and Digital Media

The concentration in Journalism and Digital Media prepares students for careers in the ever-evolving news media landscape. The degree provides practice in the foundations of traditional and emerging journalism. In this concentration, students develop skills in reporting, investigating, fact-checking, writing, and creating multimedia news content.

• JOUR-J 300 Communications Law
• JOUR-J 303 Online Journalism
• JOUR-J 351 News Editing
• JOUR-J 362 Journalism Multimedia Storytelling
• JOUR-J 401 Depth Reporting and Editing
• TEL-R 287 Processes and Effects of Mass Communication
• Select one course from COMM

Public Relations and Strategic Communication

The concentration in Public Relations and Strategic Communication introduces students to the rigorous and rewarding work of the public relations practitioner. Public relations is a multifaceted, ever-evolving field woven into society in many dimensions from organizations and nonprofits to politics and entertainment. In this concentration, students practice public relations theory, research, strategic planning, writing, and ethics.

• JOUR-J 319 Introduction to Public Relations
• JOUR-J 390 Public Relations Writing
• JOUR-J 429 Public Relations Campaigns
• SPCH-S 307 Crisis Management
• SPCH-S 324 Persuasive Speaking
• SPCH-S 440 Organizational Communication
• Select one course from COMM

Relational Communication and Social Interaction

The concentration in Relational Communication and Social Interaction examines core concepts and processes of face-to-face interactions within social and intimate relationships. Students address themes such as listening, conflict, emotion, perception, and relationship changes that occur in the context of person-to-person communication. This concentration prepares students for professional and personal success by enhancing their communicative competency skills in message creation, production, exchange, and interpretation.

• COMM-S 370 Interpersonal Conflict
  Pending approval
• SPCH-S 229 Discussion and Group Methods
• SPCH-S 308 Family Communication
• SPCH-S 321 Rhetoric and Modern Discourse
• SPCH-S 322 Advanced Interpersonal Communication
• SPCH-S 380 Nonverbal Communication
• Select one course from COMM