BA Degree

Daniel Phillips III, PhD, Chair, Social Sciences Division
Durham Center, Room 103
(270) 384-8231 phillipsd@lindsey.edu 

Susan Minton, MA, Program Coordinator
J.L. Turner Leadership Center, Room 203
(270) 384-8141  mintons@lindsey.edu

Full-time Program Faculty:  Daniel A. Koger, PhD; Susan Minton, MA; Greg Phelps, PhD; Benson Sexton, MA; Anne Streeter, PhD; Jerry Thomas, MA

The discipline of Communication is a cornerstone of liberal arts education.  While recognizing and supporting the broader aims associated with the liberal arts, Communication also is an inherently practical discipline with a strong tradition of preparing students for effective and ethical leadership in human affairs as well as providing solid foundations for a variety of professional careers.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Communication Program, consistent with the stated mission of the College, is to prepare students for effective and ethical leadership in human affairs and to provide solid foundations for a variety of professional careers by helping students become more competent communicators.

Entrance Criteria

Students can begin taking sophomore-level courses in the Communication major during the fall semester of their second year, contingent upon successfully completing College requirements described in this catalog and prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C.

Upon declaring a Communication major, the following conditions apply for acceptance into the Program:

• Choose a Communication faculty member as academic advisor;
• Complete the Change of Advisor form;
• Meet with the new academic advisor immediately to plan the student's program; and
• Submit an acceptable writing sample to the Program Coordinator.

Students who submit evidence of deficient writing skills will be advised to complete additional writing courses (such as Introduction to Modern English Grammar, ENGL 2703), submit additional writing samples upon completion of those courses, and reapply for admission to the Program.

Degree Requirements

A.  General Education Requirements:  36-47 hours

• Writing Studies I (ENGL 1013) is recommended for COMM 2103 - 3 hours
• Writing Studies II (ENGL 1023) is recommended for elective COMM 3103 - 3 hours

B.  Program Requirements:  33 hours

• Introduction to Communication (COMM 1003) - 3 hours
• Interpersonal Communication (COMM 2503) - 3 hours
• Nonverbal Communication (COMM 3203) - 3 hours
• Group Communication & Decision Making (COMM 3303) - 3 hours
• Family Communication (COMM 3403) - 3 hours
• Organizational Communication (COMM 3503) - 3 hours
• Intercultural Communication (COMM 3603) - 3 hours
• Gender & Communication (COMM 3713) - 3 hours
• Interviewing (COMM 4503) - 3 hours
• Persuasion (COMM 4723) - 3 hours
• Communication Capstone (COMM 4993) - 3 hours

C.  Program Electives (select from the following):  12 hours

• Parliamentary Procedure (COMM 1001) - 1 hour
• Mass Media & Society (COMM/JRNL 1503) - 3 hours
• Critical Thinking & Communication (COMM 2003) - 3 hours
• Communication Presentations (COMM 2201) - 1 hour
• Communication Skills for Employment Interviews (COMM 2901) - 1 hour
• Communicating Effectively (COMM 2903) - 3 hours
• Advanced Public Speaking (COMM 3103) - 3 hours
• Public Relations: Principles & Practices (COMM 3113) - 3 hours
• Intermediate Public Relations (COMM 3213) - 3 hours
• Internal Communication (COMM 3333) - 3 hours
• Great Speeches (COMM 3701) - 1 hour
• Communication & Aging (COMM 3703) - 3 hours
• Conflict Resolution (COMM 4103) - 3 hours
• Advanced Public Relations (COMM 4113) - 3 hours
• Crisis Communication (COMM 4203) - 3 hours
• Communication Law & Ethics (COMM/JRNL 4403) - 3 hours
• Creative Ministries (COMM /RELI 4613) - 3 hours
• Leadership (COMM 4713) - 3 hours
• Political Communication & Public Affairs (COMM 4733) - 3 hours
• Professional Internship in Communication (COMM 4903) - 3 hours
• Communication Practicum I (COMM 2911) - 1 hour
• Communication Practicum II (COMM 3911) - 1 hour
• Communication Practicum III (COMM 4911) - 1 hour
• Psychology of Language (PSYC 3703) - 3 hours

D.  General Electives:  36-47 hours

Communication majors are encouraged to develop computer literacy skills, especially their abilities in computer-mediated communication (e.g., e-mail, Internet research, presentation software, Web page creation, and word processing). To this end, selected course work in Computer Information Systems is recommended. Courses in accounting, art, business administration, economics, English, history, human services & counseling, journalism, political science, psychology and sociology are also recommended.

Note:   In addition to a major, a student may select a minor. Courses taken for a minor reduce the number of general electives a student must take.

Note:   The major may provide fewer than 39 hours of 3000-4000 level course work, therefore any remaining 3000-4000 level hours will need to come from a minor, liberal arts elective studies in depth, and/or general electives.

Exit Assessment

Each student will participate in an exit interview with a panel of Communication faculty as a condition of completing the Communication major.

TOTAL:  128 credit hours