Communication

Chris Paul, PhD, Chair
Web: http://www.seattleu.edu/artsci/departments/communication/

Objectives

The Communication Department provides courses designed to give students an awareness of the role of communication in society, as well as practical experience in developing their talents in oral, written, visual, and digital communication. We offer a single major in Communication and Media with three specializations: communication studies, journalism, and strategic communication. All students must choose a specialization and they may also double or triple specialize.

The communication studies specialization blends theoretical understanding and practical experience in a variety of contexts, exposing students to leading theories in interpersonal, intercultural, and rhetorical analysis so they can best approach communication situations.

The journalism specialization develops students’ competence in gathering and disseminating stories through the media, using reporting, writing, visual, and digital skills. Students with a specialization in journalism can emphasize preparation for journalistic careers in print, broadcast, or online media.

The strategic communication specialization introduces students to an integrated approach to managing all communications functions, giving them familiarity with the underlying theoretical frameworks, so they can develop innovative industry practices and influence the role of communication in global organizations.

Specializations and minors

Students can complete additional specializations by taking all of the required classes in the specialization in addition to the courses required for their major. They may receive a minor in Communication in Media that pursues either breadth or depth in a particular subject area as described below.

General Program Requirements

Admission: Entry into the communication and media major requires a 2.75 grade point average. New transfer students entering Seattle University must have at least a 2.75 GPA in their previous college course work. Current Seattle University students changing majors to enter the Communication Department must have a 2.75 GPA in their previous Seattle University course work. Exceptions to this general policy are considered on a case-by-case basis and will require students to demonstrate success in Communication Department classes.

Minimum Grades: All majors in the Communication Department must obtain a minimum grade of C (2.00) in each of the following required courses: CMME 2000 - Media Systems , CMME 2010 - Introduction to Speech Communication , CMME 3000 - Media Law , CMME 4000 - Practical Experience in Communication , CMME 4010 - Research Seminar in Communication , and CMME 4020 - Project Capstone .