Communication

Communication

The Communication curriculum is designed to give a liberal understanding of human communication and media and to prepare students for academic or professional fields including those in business, the arts, journalism, industry, education, health and public service, as well as graduate study. To receive the B.A. in Communication, the student must show an understanding of communication in historical, philosophical, ethical, social, political and cultural dimensions, and the student must demonstrate skill in the art of written and oral communication.

Students are encouraged to expand their education beyond the classroom through directed learning experiences. Internships and directed research are available to students with a 3.0 grade point average in their major and a 2.0 GPA in all subjects.

The department is guided by the belief that a careful study of the process of communication enables people 1) to integrate and exchange knowledge 2) to achieve goals 3) to effect social action and 4) to analyze and evaluate the uses of oral and written communication in the conduct of human affairs. This requires a liberal education in arts, sciences and humanities.

Throughout the study of communication at Rockhurst, emphasis is placed upon the ethical responsibility of the communicator to develop intellectual and moral integrity.

Communication majors may also choose a concentration track in Public Relations and Advertising, or in Business Communication.

For a complete list of courses that meet Rockhurst Core Curriculum requirements, see The Core Curriculum . 

Program Goals

• Able to understand scholarship in the communication discipline.
• Able to understand the nuances of intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group, organizational, public, and mass communication.
• Able to write and speak competently and with confidence.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Describe the communication discipline and its central questions.
• Employ communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts.
• Engage in communication inquiry.
• Create messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context.
• Critically analyze messages.
• Demonstrate the ability to accomplish communicative goals (self-efficacy).
• Apply ethical communication principles and practices.
• Utilize communication to embrace difference.
• Influence public discourse.