Departmental Mission Statements and Student Learning Goals

Department of Communication

Communication Assessment Report 2005-2006

Communication Assessment Plan

Mission Statement

The communication discipline examines human communication in all its dimensions-- humanistic, social scientific, aesthetic. Thus, it is interdisciplinary.  To study communication is to engage in one of the oldest of the liberal arts. From its ancient roots in classical Greek public oratory and schools of rhetoric, to its contemporary inclusion of multiple communication contexts, the discipline has explored the human condition by studying how we communicate and how communication constructs social reality, shapes human communities, influences relationships to one another, and defines our physical environment. Understanding communication entails understanding writing, speaking, and listening as well as the influence of medium, form, audience, culture, and source on the message.

The Communication Department at CSB/SJU offers a major and a minor in communication studies, courses that serve particular requirements of majors and minors in other departments, courses that support the Core Curriculum, and courses of interest to the general student. Our mission is to educate students in a way that introduces them to a broad spectrum of the communication field, provides them with the theory and skills in communication necessary for college work and advanced study in the discipline, and develops their abilities to become effective communicators in a variety of dimensions in their personal and professional lives. All courses are placed in one of the three major divisions of the discipline: classical and contemporary rhetorical studies, communication theory and practice, and media studies. The department honors the missions of the College and University and the Benedictine traditions of each by placing emphasis on effective and ethical communication practices and on understanding the necessity of communication for community building and human interdependence.

Student Learning Goals

Goal 1: The students will demonstrate a working knowledge of the humanistic, social scientific, and aesthetic areas of the communication field.

Objectives related to Goal I

a. Students will demonstrate a working knowledge of the humanistic aspects of the
communication field through the study of rhetorical theory and criticism, persuasion, argument development, and public speaking.

b. Students will demonstrate a working knowledge of the social scientific aspects of the communication field through the study of communication theory with respect to group, organizational, interpersonal, and intercultural interaction.

c. Students will demonstrate a working knowledge of the aesthetic aspects of the communication field through the study of media theory and criticism, media writing, and media history.

Goal 2: The students will demonstrate knowledge of the theories and skills in communication needed to succeed in college and for personal and professional development after graduation.

Objectives Related to Goal 2

a. Students will be proficient in employing a variety of methods ( e.g., research papers and projects) in their classes to demonstrate their understanding of communication theories.

b. Students will use effective communication skills (listening, writing, speaking) in classroom settings.

c. Students will be able to describe the relationship between their education in the department and their preparation for personal and professional development after graduation.

d. Students will be able to apply theories in real-life situations such as interpersonal relationships, organizational settings, and media production and management, through internships, communication practica, and extra-curricular activities.

e. A significant proportion of communication majors will develop advanced research abilities by working with faculty mentors in order to submit papers to undergraduate and professional research conferences, and/or by writing senior/honors theses, and/or by conducting major research projects in all upper division courses.

Goal 3: The students will demonstrate their abilities to practice effective and ethical communication and to critically assess their own and others' communication practices.

Objectives Related to Goal 3

a. Students will demonstrate effective communication skills including discussion, presentation and writing.

b. Students will demonstrate an understanding of ethical principles within the communication discipline.

c. Students will demonstrate an ability to assess the communication practices of others.

d. Students will demonstrate an ability to think critically about the content and context of public discourse.

Goal 4: The students will demonstrate an understanding of the necessity for communication in community building and creating human interdependence.

Objectives Related to Goal 4:

a. Students will be able to identify and discuss the theoretical constructs of using communication
in building community and establishing human interdependence.

b. Students will be able to describe their use of communication in building community and establishing human interdependence in their personal and professional lives.

Goals for Departmental Growth

In addition to the goals for student learning the department will maintain its departmental goals and objectives. The assessment of the departmental goals and objectives will be part of our internal process.