Communication, General (Pre)

The Brian Lamb School of Communication curriculum begins with a thorough introduction to the historical, philosophical, and theoretical foundations upon which all communication activity is based. Students begin in Pre-Communication, and after successfully completing three required Pre-Communication courses with a 3.0 GPA or higher, may proceed to the upper-level General Communication major or select a major in:

• General communication - instead of focusing on a particular area, students may choose to study communication in general. 
• Corporate communication - focuses on the theory, concepts, and skills necessary to understand how communication functions in and between organizations; provides background in organizational development, communication training, personnel placement and assessment, supervision and management, labor relations, or internal communication systems development.
• Human relations - develops students' ability to analyze communication context, solve communication difficulties, and build productive relationships - both personal and professional. The concentration includes courses focused on managing conflict, providing support, leading and influencing others, and presenting oneself effectively.
• Mass communication - includes courses in professional and journalistic writing and includes writing for mass communication; media & society and the role of mass media; and media production and courses in video, digital, and multi-media production and courses translate theory of mass communication into practice.
• Public relations and strategic communication - includes topics in PR (includes instruction in persuasion, campaigns, writing, and image repair); advertising theory and practice; emphasizes the planning, creation, and evaluation of advertising messages.

Outside the classroom, students have opportunities to practice career-oriented skills. Our students produce their own video news magazine (Fast Track), create our school's alumni newsletter The Communicator, and work in teams with local nonprofits to get real-world experience in public relations.

One of the greatest strengths of the communication program is its international opportunities.  Students take advantage of over 100 different tailored study abroad and internships programs in diverse locations such as northern Italy, Copenhagen, Denmark, London, England, Barcelona, Spain, and Beijing, China.  Many study abroad programs are led by communication faculty. 

All five undergraduate communication majors can be completed in just three years.

All liberal arts majors prepare students with the skills identified as contributing to managerial success:  communicating and listening well, possessing insights into others, creative/critical thinking, problem solving, and the ability to make connections across complex ideas.

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