Communication (B.A.)

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Communication program can:

  1. Explain how various media platforms work, how they produce meanings, how they are organized, and how to use them wisely and effectively.
  2. Explain how to form and maintain healthy relationships with diverse others.
  3. Construct discourse intended to inform, persuade, and entertain.
  4. Articulate ethical communication principles and practices.
  5. Explain research methods in communication.
  6. Communicate effectively, ethically, and appropriately through writing, interaction, and speaking in public, interpersonal, and group contexts.
  7. Display proficiency in one area of communication sufficient to pursue a career and/or continue education at the graduate level.
  8. Articulate an awareness of options for employment in a communication-related field.
  9. Articulate how faith connects to the discipline and students’ area of specialization in Communication.

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

COMM 105Fundamentals of Oral Communication

3

COMM 107Introduction to Communication Seminar

1

COMM 341Communication Theory

3

COMM 359Rhetorical Theory

3

COMM 493Communication Senior Seminar

3

COMM 341 and 359: Writing in the major requirement

Three credits from the following media courses:

COMM 211Media in Everyday Life

3

COMM 218Mass Media and Society

3

COMM 282Topics in Media Studies

3

Three credits from the following interpersonal communication courses:

COMM 241Small Group Communication

3

COMM 313Relational Communication

3

COMM 342Intercultural Communication

3

COMM 354Interpersonal Conflict

3

Three credits from the following major writing courses:

COMM 112Newswriting

3

COMM 247Writing for Mass Media

3

COMM 254Screenwriting I

3

COMM 351Writing for Strategic Public Relations

3

ENGL 327Magazine Writing

3

One of the following options (1-3):

COMM 391Communication Practicum

1-3

INTE 391Internship

1-3

INTE 394Internship

4-12

INTE 391, INTE 394: INTE 391 must be taken for a letter grade to fulfill major requirement. INTE 394 may be taken for 4-12 credits. Three of the credits would count towards the major; additional credits count as free electives.

Twenty-one additional COMM credits (no overlap with other required courses), which may also include (21):

BUSA 305Writing for Business

3

HDFS 272Research Methods and Analysis in HDFS

3

PSYC 271Statistical Methods in Psychology

3

COMM 112, COMM 247, COMM 254, COMM 305, BUSA 305: Fulfills Writing Enriched course requirement for Major.

QuEST Requirements

Experiential Learning requirement 0
QuEST requirements Credits
First Year Seminar 3
Oral Communication (COMM 105) met/major
Created and Called for Community (W) 3
Mathematical Sciences 3 or 4
Laboratory Science 3 or 4
Science, Technology & the World 3
Two of the following (six credits total):
   Social Science
   European History
   United States History
6
Literature 3
Philosophy and Religion 3
Arts 3
First Semester of Language 3
Second Semester of Language 3
Third Semester of Language or Cross Cultural 3
Non-Western Studies 2 or 3
Bible 3
Christian Beliefs 3
Wellness course 1
Ethics, World Views or Pluralism 3
QuEST requirements 51-54
Major requirements 44-46
Free electives 28-23
Total credits 123