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Communication Degree (B.A.), Communication and Culture Concentration

You'll learn about diverse international, intercultural, and interpersonal communication models and strategies to prepare for work in culturally diverse settings.

Our curriculum balances theory and practical experience, bolstered by foundational principles in ethics, diversity, and intercultural communication.

Opportunities:

  • Personal, one-on-one faculty advisers
  • On-site television studio, radio station, student newspaper
  • Internships locally and in Washington, D.C.
  • Exceptional alumni networking
  • Communication Club and Television Club

Alumni Career Paths:

  • Study Abroad Advisor
  • Human Resource Manager
  • Inclusive Excellence Program Manager
  • Guidance Counselor
  • Professor

Requirements

Program Description

This concentration provides an overview of international, intercultural, and interpersonal communication models and strategies. Courses examine international issues and conflicts, emphasize intercultural awareness, explore ways relationships are structured by patterns of communication, and identify methods to help resolve and reconcile misunderstanding and estrangement. The goal is to involve students more directly with cultural interaction and experiences in preparation for work in culturally diverse contexts.

Requirements for the Communication Major - 45 Credits

Required Major Core - 27 Credits

Note:

STUDENTS MUST ELECT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CONCENTRATIONS: Communication and Culture, Journalism, Public Relations, Media Arts and Analysis, or the Student-Defined Concentration. In addition to the required courses for each concentration, students are required to take electives, one of which must bear a COMM designation. If the concentration requires three or more electives, one of the remaining electives may be chosen from the approved elective list from any of the other concentrations.

Communication and Culture - 18 Credits

 

Required - 9 Credits

Students must take the following courses:

Electives - 9 Credits

Students must choose any three elective courses from the following:

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core.

Learning Outcomes

The Communication Department prepares students to be well-informed, responsible citizens and creative and ethical communication practitioners. The department is unique in offering this balance of theory and practice, which is manifest through our courses, our widely respected internship program, and our students’ involvement in a wide and diverse variety of campus and community organizations.

From the local to the global level, our students and graduates apply their knowledge and skills to pursue further knowledge, establish professional careers, and improve their communities.

International Programs student

Related Clubs & Organizations

Communications Club
The primary purpose of the Communications Club is to participate in, assist with, and provide others with social interaction.

Advisor

Communications Club
Communications Club Constitution
Latino Association for Empowerment (LAFE)
LAFE is an educational, political and social organization of students at Westfield State that supports awareness of multicultural issues.
LAFE Constitution
Multicultural Student Association (MSA)
The purpose of the Multicultural Student Association is to promote diversity and cultural awareness throughout our campus and community.

Advisor

Multicultural Student Association (MSA)
Multicultural Student Association Constitution
WSU-TV Club

The purpose of WSU-TV is to provide an on campus, student-operated television program that serves as a learning environment for students interested in television production

WSU-TV Constitution