Comm Studies Program Learning Outcomes
Adapted fromhttps://www.natcom.org/learning-outcomes-communication. Revised 2023
Adapted fromhttps://www.natcom.org/learning-outcomes-communication. Revised 2023
Communication is a complex phenomenon, one central to human life and, as such, one which warrants rigorous and systematic inquiry. Our program is designed to prepare broadly-educated graduates to think systematically, critically, and creatively about individual and social problems from a communication perspective. Communication studies graduates will have insight into the nature and function of their social world, will be able to express themselves effectively and ethically as citizens of the world, and will recognize their agency to advocate for themselves and their communities.
#1: Employ communication perspectives, theories, and concepts to navigate social interactions [strong emphasis in COMM 388]
Explain Communication perspectives, theories, and concepts
Apply Communication perspectives, theories, and concepts
Critique Communication perspectives, theories, and concepts
#2: Create oral and written messages competently to accomplish communicative goals [Strong Emphasis in COMM 388]
Locate and use information relevant to audiences, purposes, and contexts
Adapt messages to the diverse needs of individuals, groups, and contexts
Select communication channels to meet diverse needs of individuals, groups, and contexts
Reason from evidence to make appropriate, effective, ethical arguments
Reflect critically on one’s own messages after the communication event
#3: Critically Analyze Messages [Strong Emphasis in COMM 388]
Explain the key arguments, appeals, and ideas of messages
Assess the assumptions that underlie the key arguments, appeals, and ideas of messages
Make critical connections and distinctions among texts
Recognize how rhetors and audiences co-create messages
#4: Communicate to create and support diverse and equitable communities [Mild Emphasis in COMM 388]
Articulate how one’s own cultural standpoint shapes and is shaped by communication
Critically reflect on how the identities of interaction partners intersect
Ask complex questions about identity, difference, power, and culture
Consider how multiple perspectives influence the negotiation of shared meaning
Develop communication strategies to address systemic inequities encountered in everyday interactions
#5: Influence Public Discourse [Strong Emphasis in COMM 388]
Explain the role of communication in community life
Articulate contextually appropriate, effective, and ethical responses to issues at the local, national, and/or global level
Advocate a course of action to address local, national, and/or global issues
Communicate to expose and counter social inequities.