Communication Degrees Online

Nearly two centuries ago, Hamilton College began to distinguish itself as one of the nation’s most prestigious and innovative liberal arts colleges by identifying its educational mission as the mastery of “rhetoric and elocution.” That mission remains central to the College’s educational philosophy today. It is evident not only in the campus-wide commitment to strong writing skills, but in the oral communication program, where students learn the speaking and critical-thinking skills that have produced some of the nation’s most eminent diplomats, accomplished professionals, authoritative scholars and effective activists.

The oral communication program holds a unique place in the Hamilton curriculum — neither a major nor a minor, but a rich and continuing resource for the entire College community. Oral communication courses prepare students for those studies and professional settings in which clear, credible, effective presentations are crucial. Courses contribute variable credit toward graduation requirements and provide a variety of learning formats, from classroom discussion to lab training and fieldwork.

Associate Professor Anne P. Hubbell, department head

Professors Hacker Associate Professors Lindsey, Assistant Professors Morgan, Verser College Assistant Professors Brown, Buker, Messal

(575) 646-2801
DEGREE: Bachelor of Arts
MAJOR: Communication Studies
MINOR: Communication Studies

The communication studies program is designed to enhance students’ interpersonal skills, presentational skills, and critical thinking skills. Thus the successful graduate should be able to work effectively with people, assimilate, organize and analyze information, solve problems, make effective presentations, and show potential for leadership. The program prepares students for careers in several professions, such as training and development, public relations, law, advertising and sales, government service, mediation, customer relations, human resources, international service, fund raising, and the ministry.

MAJOR: Communication Studies
In addition to completing the general education requirements of the university and the college, students majoring in communication studies are required to complete 18 credits of core COMM courses and 18 credits of COMM electives for a total of 36 credits. Any exception to these policies requires department head approval.

All COMM courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.
Communication Studies Core Courses (18 credits)COMM 265G, Principles of Human Communication 3
COMM 285, Survey of Communication Theory 3
COMM 305, Communication Research Methods 3
COMM 370, Organizational Communication 3
COMM 376, Communication and Culture 3
COMM 384, Interpersonal Communication 3

Communication Studies Elective Courses (18 credits)
To reach a total of 36 credits, students must complete successfully an additional 18 COMM credits of their choosing.

MINOR: Communication StudiesCOMM 265G, Principles of Human Communication. 3Two of COMM 370, Organizational Communication; COMM 376, Communication and Culture; and COMM 384, Interpersonal Communication. 6

Three of COMM 253G, Public Speaking; COMM 285, Survey of Communication Theory; COMM 305, Communication Research Methods; COMM 351, Persuasion Theory and Practice; COMM 353, Advanced Public Speaking; COMM 377, Conflict Management; COMM 425, Small Group Communication; COMM 435, Psychology of Human Communication; COMM 440, Political Communication; COMM 450, Technologies of Human Communication; COMM 465, Nonverbal Communication; COMM 470, Leadership Communication; COMM 475, International Communication; COMM 480, Health Communication; COMM 490, Independent Study; COMM 491, Selected Topics

The Department of English and Communication recognizes that communication, on both the personal and social levels, is the foundation of human interaction. Our mission is to understand ourselves and our world more fully by returning again and again to those linguistic forms which have continually shaped and reshaped us, which define and limit us and then wonderfully set us free–recast in new forms. We take language seriously as a tool of self- and social-understanding, as a means of entry into the life and responsibilities as the adult, the church member, and the citizen, as a means to professional advancement, yet not so seriously as to overlook the important roles language plays in recreation and entertainment. Finally, the department emphasizes the importance of a liberal arts education with a firmly grounded knowledge of the communication process to prepare students for graduate education and for success in a wide variety of occupations.

Preparation for Teaching

Students preparing to teach at the secondary level should plan to qualify for state of California teaching credentials by completing the bachelor’s degree and passing the PRAXIS (or SSAT) subject area assessment. During the freshman year prospective teachers of both secondary and elementary levels should see the School of Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin and consult the credential analyst and the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the School of Education for detailed information concerning requirements.

A further program leading to the Master of Arts degree in English is described in the Graduate Bulletin.

Program’s Student Learning Objectives

The English and Communication Department has six core learning objectives for all majors. Students graduating should be able to:

1. Read and listen perceptively, analytically and empathically.
2. Construct well reasoned arguments.
3. Design and deliver effective presentations.
4. Analyze and critically evaluate texts.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of basic rhetorical and critical perspectives from classical through contemporary traditions.
6. Retrieve information, including how to find and evaluate scholarly and popular journals, how to use electronic databases, the Internet, non-print sources, electronic communication, and library resources.

Students graduating with Communication majors should be able to:

1. Demonstrate skills needed to prepare and present messages for different audiences.
2. Explain the influence of media on communication in multiple contexts.
3. Use communication knowledge and skills that reflect ethical and logical audience centered expression.
Students graduating with the Public Relations/Advertising emphasis in Communication should be able to:
1. Analyze and design effective messages for target and secondary audiences.
2. Write, communicate and present materials appropriate to the practice of public relations.
3. Uphold professional conduct, with truth, accuracy, fairness, and responsibility to the public; improve individual competence and advance the knowledge and proficiency of the profession through continuing research and education; and adhere to the articles of the Member Code of Ethics 2000 for the practice of public relations as adopted by the governing Assembly of the Public Relations Society of America.