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About
Communication Studies
Our world needs communication professionals who live lives marked by uncompromising Christlike values, dedication and compassion. At Cornerstone University, a major in communication studies prepares students for positions requiring skills in the effective design, delivery, interpretation, analysis and evaluation of messages in a variety of contexts (e.g., interpersonal relationships, small groups, organizations, mediated formats) with a variety of goals and to do so in a manner consistent with our Christian calling to be responsible symbolic stewards and to influence the world for Christ through communication.
Program Learning Outcomes
The communication studies program reflects our commitment to developing students’ knowledge, skills and attitudes in five distinct yet interconnected areas: specialized knowledge; applied knowledge and collaborative learning; intellectual skills; civic and global learning; and biblical worldview integration.
01
Specialized Knowledge
Analyze a variety of communication situations and identify the components using theories, perspectives, principles and concepts specific to the communication discipline.
Communication Studies
- Explain major theories and concepts of the communication discipline, including, but not limited to, those in the areas of interpersonal communication, group communication, organizational communication, intercultural communication and mediated communication.
- Identify multiple features of the participants (including self), context and modality in a given communication situation and the effects those features could/did have on communication.
- Articulate the characteristics and behaviors exhibited by an effective communicator in a variety of communication contexts.
Broadcast Communication Concentration
- Explain major theories and concepts of the communication discipline, including, but not limited to, those in the areas of interpersonal communication, group communication, organizational communication, intercultural communication and mediated communication.
- Identify multiple features of the participants (including self), context and modality in a given communication situation and the effects those features could/did have on communication.
- Articulate the characteristics and behaviors exhibited by an effective communicator in a variety of communication contexts.
Strategic Communication Concentration
- Explain major theories and concepts of the communication discipline, including, but not limited to, those in the areas of interpersonal communication, group communication, organizational communication, intercultural communication, mediated communication and public relations.
- Identify multiple features of the participants (including self), context and modality in a given communication situation and the effects those features could/did have on communication.
- Articulate the characteristics and behaviors exhibited by an effective communicator in a variety of communication contexts.
02
Applied Knowledge and Collaborative Learning
Create effective and appropriate messages in a variety of contexts and situations.
Communication Studies
- Identify, locate and use information on goals, audience, purpose and context to design appropriate and effective messages.
- Choose and utilize language, nonverbal symbols and modality to deliver effective and appropriate messages in a variety of situations.
- Identify communication problems and suggest and/or implement appropriate adjustments.
Broadcast Communication Concentration
- Identify, locate and use information on goals, audience, purpose and context to design appropriate and effective messages, especially in the context of communication situations in which one communicator serves as the primary source of messages delivered to a large audience.
- Choose and utilize language, nonverbal symbols and modality to deliver effective and appropriate messages in a variety of situations, but especially in the context of communication situations in which one communicator serves as the primary source of messages delivered to a large audience.
- Identify communication problems and suggests and/or implements appropriate adjustments.
- Create communication content reflecting a working understanding of the basic principles of audio, video (including shooting and editing), lighting, speaking and writing for dissemination through mediated channels.
Strategic Communication Concentration
- Identify, locate and use information on goals, audience, purpose and context to design appropriate, effective and strategic messages, especially in the context of representation of an organization or other entity.
- Choose and utilize language, nonverbal symbols and modality to deliver effective, appropriate and strategic messages that address a variety of organizational/individual goals and objectives.
- Identify communication problems and suggest and/or implement appropriate adjustments.
- Create and implement plans and/or campaigns that utilize multiple messages in a variety of modalities to effectively address a problem or opportunity.
03
Intellectual Skills
Demonstrate your ability to integrate both traditional and non-traditional cognitive skills, including analytical inquiry, information literacy, quantitative fluency and communicative fluency.
04
Civic and Global Learning
Demonstrate intercultural competence in addressing civic, social, environmental and economic issues.
05
Biblical Worldview Integration
Articulate a Christ-centered worldview and its personal, professional and communal embodiment through Christian virtues.
Hannah Haviland (’20)Studying broadcast communication at Cornerstone helped me understand the impact that Christian communicators can have on the world. The faculty never stopped encouraging me and challenging me to achieve academic excellence.
Related Programs
Communication studies is a multifaceted program with hundreds of opportunities available. Our students integrate communications with business, science and even psychology. The possibilities are endless.
