Lindsey Wilson College

Communication

BA - Program Requirements

Benson T. Sexton, Ph.D., Dean, School of Business & Communication

J.L. Turner Leadership Center, Room 214

(270) 384-7384                sextonb@lindsey.edu

 

Jennifer Dudley Furkin, Ph.D., Program Coordinator

J.L. Turner Leadership Center, Room 104A

(270) 384-8085                furkinj@lindsey.edu

 

Full-time program faculty: Laura Burwash, M.A.; Jennifer Furkin, Ph.D.; Daniel A. Koger, Ph.D.; Benson Sexton, Ph.D.

 

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.

Graduation Requirements

Some courses taken for the major will simultaneously fulfill general education requirements.  Please see the Graduation Requirements (bachelor’s degrees) section of this catalog for information on the general education program.

Students should note that the major provides fewer than the required 39 hours of 3000-4000 level coursework, therefore students will need to complete additional 3000-4000 level coursework to meet this requirement.

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.

Program Requirements:  48-51 hours

Along with the general education program, students must complete the major’s core requirements and select program electives as indicated.

A.         Recommended Course:  0-3 hours

  • Writing Studies I (ENGL 1013) unless waiver requirements are met is recommended for COMM 2103 – 3 hours

B.         Core Requirements:  36 hours

  • Principles of Communication (COMM 1003) – 3 hours
  • Public Speaking (COMM 2103) – 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

  • Mass Media & Society (COMM/JRNL 1503) – 3 hours
  • Critical Thinking & Communication (COMM 2003) – 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
  • Communication & Aging (COMM 3703) – 3 hours
  • Conflict Resolution (COMM 4103) – 3 hours
  • Crisis Communication (COMM 4203) – 3 hours
  • Communication Law & Ethics (COMM/JRNL 4403) – 3 hours
  • Leadership (COMM 4713) – 3 hours
  • Social Media Communication (COMM 4743) – 3 hours
  • Professional Internship in Communication (COMM 4903) – 3 hours

Exit Assessment

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

Recommended General Electives

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 coursework 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.