Department Chair: Douglas
Kocher, Ph.D.
Schnabel Hall | 219-464-5271
Douglas.Kocher@valpo.edu
Majors offered:
B. A. in any one of 5
areas:
Communication Law
New Media - Journalism
Public and Corporate Communication
Public Relations
Television - Radio
Links to Web sites:
Catalog:
Department of
Communication
Department
of Communication
(department
maintained)
Valpo’s Department of Communication is home to one of the most versatile majors imaginable. As a Communication major, you study a full range of media in both public and more specialized realms. You learn first-hand how to think critically about interaction and how to reach people effectively. The department focuses on teaching the process of communication as it applies to the areas of study it represents: communication law, new media-journalism, public and corporate communication, public relations, television-radio and speech/debate. In all of these fields the department encourages students to become ethical, critical, and effective sources and receivers of communication; it endeavors to motivate them to serve their community. The department stresses solid preparation in the liberal arts. It seeks a balance between liberal arts and skills courses within the department, believing that this balance is essential to developing good communicators, not just technicians trained for particular jobs. The department's programs also strive to demonstrate the linkages between communication studies and the larger issues of the global community.
What
Is Distinctive About Valpo's Program?
Alumni Network:
The
Communication Department maintains very strong alumni relationships and
sponsors alumni presentations each year. Communication majors learn the
latest industry developments and job-search strategies and build networking
skills through this experience.
Facilities:
Beginning in the freshman year, you have access to the department’s
3-camera digital teleproduction studio, new weather studio with Accuweather
data and graphics feed, advanced non-linear (digital) video editing lab,
computer-equipped visual design and news writing labs, and state-of-the-art
radio production facilities in the department and the campus radio station
(WVUR).
Curriculum:
Valpo
also offers a truly flexible curriculum allowing you to tailor a major
to your particular communication career interests. You might also want
to individualize your study by concentrating on sports communication,
graphics communication, journalism, modern media and film, information
systems and public relations, or Internet communication, among many other
possibilities.
Valpo’s department has been an area pioneer in the offering of courses online, where most instruction takes place via the Internet . Valpo has also been a leader in Internet instructional applications, and in preparing students for competency in this fastest growing of all communication media.
The curriculum integrates a multicultural and international perspective.
What Can You Do with a Communication Major?
Degree, Skills or
Experience
Needed for Beginning a Job in This Field:
B.A.
degree; as much practical experience as possible
(e.g., internships, WVUR, campus publications).
Kinds of Work Available to
Graduates in This Major:
Video
and audio production, on-camera talent, communication law, entertainment
law, broadcast and print journalism, corporate communication, public relations,
advertising, industrial and government publications, speech writing, publication
design, public affairs, creative writing, article writing, sports broadcasting,
photography, photojournalism, Internet communication (web page design),
newswriting, copy writing, science writing, technical report writing,
consumer relations, communications consulting, information specialist,
graphics, editorial writing, commentary, review writing, magazine journalism,
copy editing, reporting, news editing, feature writing, wire service writing,
information services, publishing house editing, journalism teaching, school
publications, consumer information, political communications, specialty
writing, agricultural journalism, business writing.
Potential Hiring
Institutions:
Television
stations, cable stations, video production companies, radio stations,
newspapers, magazines, public relations agencies, advertising agencies,
electronic information services, Internet service providers, and many
others.
What Beyond-the-Classroom Opportunities Does Valpo Offer You
in Communication?
Extracurricular Activities:
Students can gain valuable
experiences through such groups as WVUR (Valpo’s campus radio station,
95.1), The Torch (Valpo’s student newspaper), The Lighter (Valpo’s student
literary magazine), and The Beacon (Valpo’s yearbook). The Department
also sponsors a campus chapter of Association for Women in Communications,
the Speech and Debate Club, a student chapter of the Public Relations
Student Society of America, and a Lambda Pi Eta chapter (communication
honor society).
The communication-related organizations not only provide enrichment in Communication areas but also often provide service to the community.
Study Abroad:
You
are encouraged to take part in Valpo’s study
abroad programs in countries such as Mexico,
England, France, Spain, Greece, Germany, Namibia,
China, and Japan as well as Valpo’s semester-long
programs in New York, Chicago, and Washington,
D.C.
To get an understanding of foreign public relations, Communication major Megan Cox spent a semester working and studying in Valpo’s program in Cambridge, England. Back on campus, Megan did a research project entitled "Are Students Prepared for the Technology Challenge? – A Comparative Study of Public Relations and Business Undergraduates."
Internships:
An internship
is required by the Communication Department, and the Department coordinates
the largest and oldest internship program in Valpo’s College of Arts and
Sciences. During the academic year, you can choose an internship from
nearly 100 area providers, among them WGN, the Post-Tribune, and the Star
Plaza Theatre. Approved summer internships can be completed at your hometown
television or radio station, newspaper, or public relations agency. Students
may participate in internships with a wide variety of employers in various
areas of specialization including but not limited to broadcasting, journalism,
and public relations.
Valpo students have had internships at many television studios, Fox Sports & Entertainment, CNN, Quaker Oats Company, various radio stations, MCA music, various newspapers, MCA/Decca, the American Red Cross, World Cup Soccer, and Sony, among many others. See www.valpo.edu/comm/internships.php for more information about the communication internship program.
Chicago Arts Program: The Chicago
Arts Program is a 15-week semester of immersion in the Chicago artworld.
The Program is designed for college students with a strong interest in
the language, visual, performing, media and commercial arts, as well as
arts education and community outreach.
Students live and study in Chicago, and work at a part-time internship.
Participants attend events in a variety of artistic media, meet and
interview guest artists and arts professionals, and write about and discuss
practical and theoretical issues. Click
here for more information.
Notable Alumni
Dan Ablan (VU ‘89),
President, AGA Digital Studios, Chicago,
IL
N. Cornell Boggs,
III (VU ‘82, Law ‘85), Americas Regional
Counsel, Intel, San Francisco
Ryan Burrow (VU ‘02), News
Anchor-Reporter, Clear Channel Radio
Brant Hadfield (VU’91),
freelance videographer, St. Louis, MO, footage used by
Motor Sports Weekly and Fox Sports
Lisa Key (VU ‘94), Vice President
for Institutional Advancement, Art Institute of Chicago
Patrick Casey (VU ‘80), Associated
Press, New York
Chrystina Head (VU ‘01), Anchor,
WAGT-TV, Augusta, GA
Rebecca Toczek (VU ‘95), Murphy/Knott
PR Agency, Sydney, Australia
Chris Gillispie (VU ‘03), Account
Coordinator, Hill and Knowlton, Los Angeles
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