he Department of Communication provides instruction in human communication, electronic media, journalism, and public relations; helps students develop, through theory and practice, skills in speaking, listening, critical thinking, managing, and writing; shows students how to research and reason from their discoveries; and prepares students to become responsible producers and consumers of communication.

Faculty members demonstrate a professional commitment to teaching and are cognizant of developments in their respective disciplines. Their scholarship, either research-oriented or creative, goes beyond the expected course preparation. The Department of Communication serves three groups: the student body, majors and minors in the department, and the community. First, it provides basic courses in communication to all university students, helping them to make their ideas clear and cogent. Second, it gives students the opportunity to develop competency in their major areas within the department by providing them with a sound academic curriculum and applied opportunities. Third, it serves the university and surrounding communities with its programs and publications in journalism, radio, television, and speech.

The department works cooperatively within the major areas of communication, offering an integrated approach to the disciplines. Although diverse, human communication, electronic media, journalism, and public relations view communication as a theoretically based utilitarian tool rather than artistic forms of entertainment. The department, therefore, gives students the opportunity to develop insights that will help them become viable candidates for careers in communication, business, education, or graduate school.

Philosophically, the department is committed to applied learning grounded in academic programs. The curriculum provides flexibility and emphasizes the need for a liberally based education. Faculty suggest minors in English, business, history and political science, economics, or the social sciences. Students, early in the educational process, have applied opportunities to work on the student newspaper, a 30,000-watt equivalent public radio station, cable television, and a nationally competitive forensics team.

No course in which the student earns a grade lower than a C- will be counted toward a major or minor: A student must receive a minimum grade of C- in prerequisite courses.

Only four hours of applied courses count toward the major. No more than eight hours of applied courses can count toward graduation.