Communication

Department Office: Gillum Hall, 3rd Floor
Web site: https://indianastate.edu/academics/colleges/arts-sciences/communication

The Department of Communication at Indiana State University offers a program that prepares students to become integral parts of the relational and collaborative forces that construct the social world. Our need to create, use, and understand effective communication is more important than at any point in human history. Communication technologies shape human action and interaction globally, impacting the lives of individuals and communities. The Communication program at ISU involves students in research, theory, and experiential learning through a course of study that includes common core requirements that address fundamental communication skills in interpersonal, societal, visual, persuasive, and project based interactions. . Students can focus their experience in the areas of Cultural Communication, Journalism, Digital Communication and Media, Sport Communication, and Public Relations. The Department of Communication supports the liberal arts and sciences mission of the College of Arts and Sciences and Indiana State University by participating in Undergraduate Core Curriculum, and the Honors program..

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Degrees Offered

Candidates for Departmental BAs in Cultural Communication, Journalism, Digital Communication and Media, Sport Communication and Public Relations must complete the University requirement of a minimum of 120 credit hours, including Undergraduate Core Curriculum course work, as well as the requirements for the departmental majors. Non-majors may also complete minors in Cultural Communication, Journalism, Digital Communication and Media, Sport Communication, Public Relations, and Communication Excellence. .

Departmental Opportunities

Department faculty encourage student research and practice through a robust multimedia production program, independent projects, and an active chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Honor Society. The Department supports student professional development and community engagement through internships, practica, membership in student chapters of organizations, and opportunities for client-based services and competitions. Our students benefit from cooperative relationships with Indiana State University student media operations, including WZIS – a 24-hour per day student run operation, WISU-FM – a 24-hour per day NPR affiliate, Sycamore Video – a student video production program, SycCreations – a client-based web and PR design club, The Sycamore yearbook, and the Indiana Statesman – the campus newspaper, and ISSN the campus sports network affiliated with ESPN. Students are assigned a faculty academic mentorand they are encouraged to maintain good contact with this mentor during the yea.r

Description of Majors

Cultural Communication examines communicative practices as modes of action, ways of accomplishing social ends, the craft of communicative practice and performance, and both ordinary and spectacular cultural events and acts. Courses in the major utilize multiple methods to develop an understanding of culture. The major features ethnographic theory and method, involving students in participant observation, cross-cultural contexts, socio-political frameworks, and self-reflexivity to produce deeper knowledge about the ways in which culture is produced and re-produced by human action in multiple media.

Journalism explores the various skills, laws, ethics, power, and responsibilities of the news media in modern society. Courses in the major focus on the technical skills and theoretical understandings needed to successfully hear, interpret, and share the stories of diverse people whose circumstances are vital to understanding the changing and complex world in which we live.

Digital Communicaiton and Media examines the social implications and responsibilities of the media and develops fundamental knowledge of media production theory and skills. Courses in the major challenge students to engage media messages critically rather than to accept them passively. Students learn to be both mindful consumers and responsible creators of mediated messages. Such messages are essential aspects of contemporary life. Knowledge of their complexity is necessary to those entering careers in media communication.

Public Relations explores how organizations build and maintain good reputations and communicate effectively with employees, the media, community groups, and others important to their success. Courses in this major emphasize the use of strategic communication to place messages in the media through media releases, editorial content, and promotion while broadening a student’s understanding of organizations, various media formats, and effective campaign construction.

Sport Communication examines the fields of media, sport, and public relations. Students have the opportunity to explore timely sport-related events and issues while analyzing cross-cultural perspecives in sport. Courses in this major focus on communication in sport contexts, including the basics of communicating across various media platforms including social media, communicating sports information in public relations, as well as ethical considerations for the role of sport communication specialist. The major provides applied fundamentals for students seeking employment in the world of sports, including but not limited to management or promotion of athletic organizations.