Introduction to Communication

Catalog description

A survey of key topics within the interdisciplinary field of communication. The course explores how communication is defined and how research in the field is performed and evaluated from a variety of methodological perspectives. Students are introduced to the history of communication as an academic area of study, the development of major theories and subdisciplines, namely communication studies, rhetorical studies, and mass communication. The course will introduce a number of prominent conversations in communication, including but not limited to interpersonal communication, organizational communication, science communication, health communication, intercultural communication, and small group communication. Students will also be introduced to basic quantitative, qualitative, and rhetorical methodological approaches. Students will apply the knowledge they gain to various aspects of their personal and professional lives, engage in critical thinking skills, and become familiar with the abundant career paths that a study in communication can provide.