Department of Communication

Mission

The Department of Communication provides students with a foundation in communication theory and practice consistent with Christian ideals.

Goals

The Department of Communication will achieve its vision by pursuing three goals:

1. Curriculum. Provide a dynamic, student-centered curriculum that promotes experiential learning and reflects academic and professional best practices.
2. Connection. Provide opportunities for students to collaborate with peers, faculty, alumni and other communication professionals around the world to broaden their worldviews and increase their professional networks.
3. Collaboration. Provide interdisciplinary degrees such as Integrated Marketing Communication, Media Production, Film Production, and Film Studies.

Academic Programs

The Department of Communication offers seven majors with corresponding minors: Advertising , Communication Studies , Film , Integrated Marketing Communication , Media Production , Multimedia Journalism , and Public Relations . The Department of Communication also works in conjunction with the Department of English to offer two additional minors: Film Production , and Film Studies .

Students in the Department of Communication are encouraged to maximize practical training along with academic instruction. The following award-winning student organizations and media outlets provide hands-on learning opportunities: the University’s cable and internet television station, HU16; the commercial FM radio station, KVHU 95.3; the noncommercial AM radio station, AM1660; the student newspaper, The Bison; the yearbook, The Petit Jean; the multimedia news website, The Link; and the debate and forensics teams.

Experiential Requirements

Students majoring in Advertising, Film, Integrated Marketing Communication, Media Production, Multimedia Journalism, and Public Relations must complete an internship, working 240 hours in a professional setting that corresponds to their major and future plans.

Students may pursue teacher licensure in speech and theatre through the Department of Theatre  and the Cannon-Clary College of Education .

Academic Requirements

Students must pass ENG 1110  or equivalent with a grade of C or higher before enrolling in any COMM course numbered COMM 2300  and above. MATH 1200  is recommended to satisfy the Liberal Arts requirement for mathematics.

Equipment Requirements

Students majoring in Advertising, Film, Media Production, Integrated Marketing Communication, Multimedia Journalism, and Public Relations are expected to have access to a DSLR camera capable of video recording. For most courses, a high speed/high capacity flash drive or external hard drive is also needed to store project files. See the Department of Communication webpage for current requirements.

Faculty

Chair: M. Laurie Norton Diles, Ph.D.

Distinguished Professors:

Jack R. Shock, Ed.D.

Professors:

M. Laurie Norton Diles, Ph.D.
Patrick Garner, Ph.D.
Dutch Hoggatt, Ph.D.

Associate Professors:

Charles Bane, Ph.D.
Ginger Blackstone, Ph.D.
James E. Miller, Ph.D.

Assistant Professors:

Tim Hamilton, M.A.
Sharon Pitt, M.Ed.
Lori Sloan, M.B.A.

Instructors:

Noah Darnell, M.A.
April Fatula, B.A.

Programs

• Advertising Major (ADV2), BA
• Communication Studies Major (COMS), BA
• Film (FLM), BA
• Integrated Marketing Communication Major (IMC), BA
• Media Production Major (MP), BA
• Multimedia Journalism Major (MJRN), BA
• Public Relations Major (PR2), BA

• Film - Management and Business Ethics (FMBA), BA/MBA

• Advertising Minor
• Communication Minor
• Communication Studies Minor
• Film Production Minor
• Film Studies Minor
• Integrated Marketing Communication Minor
• Media Production Minor
• Multimedia Journalism Minor
• Public Relations Minor