Yoder (Chair), Donovan,Gillis, Johnson, Tillberg-Webb, Wennberg

The Department of Communications offers a comprehensive preparation in the professional field of communications. In addition to developing written, spoken and performance skills, students learn communications theories, media design,management and production.

Advanced courses in oral presentation, management, graphics, writing, audio and video production, digital media writing and design and cultural communications among others, permit majors to advance into this discipline. Four concentration areas provide students choices into specific specialization areas within the major: Corporate Communications (public relations and marketing), Mass Communications , New Media Communications (digital media and web-design), or Cultural Studies Communications .

Department facilities are located in the Steinman Center for Communications and Fine Arts.This Center contains modern equipment in audio and video studios, a photography lab, and graphics and multi-image laboratories. The student-operated media stations, WWEC 88.3 FM and ECTV Channel 40, are housed in the Center.Additionally, the student-run newspaper, The Etownian, is operated by the Department.

The curriculum is complemented by a number of Departmental organizations: WWEC-FM radio; Photography Club; Society for Collegiate Journalists, the honorary society; International Association of Business Communicators; Collegiate Broadcaster, Inc.; ECTV-40 and others. The Etownian provides excellent journalism experiences for majors. These organizations sponsor speakers, workshops,contests and field trips to enhance campus life while making the student’s classroom experience more meaningful.

The curriculum, along with the many co-curricular activities, prepares majors for careers in corporate and institutional communications, public relations,marketing communications, broadcasting and media production related fields,newspaper and magazine writing and reporting, advertising, sales, law and many morefields.

General Information

All students must have a2.00 grade point average to declare the major or minor and enroll in any courses above the 100 level.

Additional expenses for the communications student normally include production materials for audio,video and graphics courses. These expenses are part of the following courses:Communications 125, 135, 348, 408 and incidentals in other courses.

The Department of Communications makes recommendations to students for courses to complete the College Core.Courses have been chosen to aid in the integration of the major with liberal arts studies. The student’s checksheet specifies these suggestions.