Bachelor of Communication Studies at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Communication studies is a social science and humanistic field of study, research, and application. Communication competencies are among those most highly desired in professional, personal, organizational, and civic arenas. The mission of the Department of Communication Studies is to examine human symbolic activity as it shapes and is shaped by relationships, institutions, and societies. This work concerns how, why, and with what effects people communicate through verbal and nonverbal messages. Through research, teaching, and service, the Department devotes particular attention to understanding the ways in which communication erodes and sustains collaboration within and among local, national, and global communities.

A degree in communication studies will focus broadly on the production and influence of messages across the contexts of public, personal, and professional life. In this course of study, students are immersed in mastering the intellectual capacities to advocate, negotiate, and relate. Students who major in communication studies can choose to fulfill the general requirements of the major or they can opt to complete courses in one of three major emphasis areas: communication, health, and well-being; diversity, culture, and global communication; or communication, public advocacy, and civic engagement.

Students who declare a major in communication studies will follow the general requirements for communication studies. Though not a requirement, students have the option to declare one of the three emphasis areas within the major as well.

Communication, Health, and Well-Being

The health and well-being emphasis area focuses on the role of communication in understanding and explaining individual and relational health, promoting healthy behaviors, and helping persons navigate health challenges. Students interested in health administration, public health, and pre-health students interested in communication studies would benefit from this emphasis area.

Diversity, Culture, and Global Communication

The diversity, culture, and global communication emphasis area focuses on the role of communication in constituting identity in a complex and diverse world. Students who engage in this emphasis area will learn how we come to identify and understand difference, how power is constituted and perpetuated in communication processes, how people organize in ways that enable and constrain voice, and how marginalized groups can (re)claim power in local/global contexts.

Communication, Public Advocacy, and Civic Engagement

Students who choose an emphasis in Public Advocacy and Civic Engagement will focus on the role of communication in facilitating public participation, mediating public controversies, and organizing for social change and citizen involvement. Students emphasizing in this area will learn to become better advocates and critical thinkers. This emphasis stresses skills related to public speaking, critical thinking, writing, and message construction and analysis.
 

Program Assessment. In order to assist the department in evaluating the effectiveness of its programs, majors will be required to complete an assessment of the major. This assessment will be implemented in the communication studies capstone course COMM 489. Results of participation in this assessment activity will in no way affect a student's GPA, but could prevent or delay graduation if the assessment is not completed as required.

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln offers a nationally-recognized speech and debate program of participation in campus and intercollegiate debate, public speaking, and interpretation events. The program gives students the opportunity to compete at the local, state, regional, and national levels. No previous debate or speech experience is required. All students who are in good standing may take part in intercollegiate debate and forensics.
 

Graduates of communication studies will be able to:

1. Develop the core competencies to advocate, negotiate, and relate across communicative contexts.
2. Proficiently create, organize, convey, and evaluate messages.
3. Understand and apply theories and methods of symbolic activity.
4. Demonstrate an ability to communicate ethically across communication contexts.
5. Showcase awareness of the complex nature of multiple communication contexts (such as public, interpersonal, group, organizational, and intercultural).
6. Recognize how message channels influence the communication process.
7. Communicate empathy toward and an understanding of diverse perspectives across identity and difference.
8. Demonstrate an ability to understand and critically evaluate historical, current and/or future social issues through a communicative perspective.

Graduates of communication studies will be able to:

1. Develop the core competencies to advocate, negotiate, and relate across communicative contexts.
2. Proficiently create, organize, convey, and evaluate messages.
3. Understand and apply theories and methods of symbolic activity.
4. Demonstrate an ability to communicate ethically across communication contexts.
5. Showcase awareness of the complex nature of multiple communication contexts (such as public, interpersonal, group, organizational, and intercultural).
6. Recognize how message channels influence the communication process.
7. Communicate empathy toward and an understanding of diverse perspectives across identity and difference.
8. Demonstrate an ability to understand and critically evaluate historical, current and/or future social issues through a communicative perspective.