Communication Studies

What is Communication Studies? How is Communication Studies different from Communications? Communications programs focus on telecommunications, primarily on film, radio, and television. Communication Studies is a broader field that intersects with many other areas of study including but not limited to sociology, cultural studies, linguistics, journalism, anthropology, and cybernetics. Communication Studies examines the way humans interact with one another through all forms of communication: verbal, nonverbal, and visual. Topics studied range from mass media, to face-to-face interactions, to social media. Communication behavior and the interpretation of messages are often analyzed through a cultural, political, economic, or social lens. In addition to researching communication messages and behavior, Communication Studies also provides practical experience in crafting and presenting messages.

Communication Studies at BBCC

Our curriculum focuses on the study of human communication and how meaning is created and exchanged in a of variety of contexts to a variety of audiences. Our program offers a wide variety of classes to choose from so that students can study everything from mass media to interpersonal communication to intercultural communication. Students will learn how to analyze and evaluate communication messages and practices by using oral, written, and visual communication. In addition to acquiring research and critical thinking skills, our program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to communicate effectively and ethically with diverse individuals in interpersonal, small group, and public speaking settings.

Program Outcomes
Career Possibilities
Transfer Options
Industry Connections
Scholarships & Grants

Students will learn to:

  • Deliver dynamic, effective, and organized presentations in both online and face-to-face environments
  • Develop critical thinking by analyzing verbal and nonverbal messages
  • Demonstrate ethical, sensitive, effective, and clear communication
  • Recognize and articulate the influence of communication on relationships and personal development
  • Apply appropriate and effective communication skills in small group settings
  • Assess the connection and mutual influence between social and political contexts, and media
  • Articulate the influence of power on communication
  • Conduct research through gathering information from multiple and credible sources
  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of the field of Communication Studies​

For job shadows, tours, and internships, check out the Career Services.

Information coming soon

Degrees & Certificates

Generic AA&S-DTA Transfer Degree

Name: Generic Associates of Art & Science Direct Transfer Agreement
Total Credits:
90
Learning Outcomes:

  • Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively.
  • Students will be able to reason mathematically.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate teamwork, ethics, appropriate safety awareness and/or workplace specific skills.
  • Students will be able to recognize or articulate personal/interpersonal aspects of, or connections between, diverse cultural, social, or political contexts.
  • Students will be able to solve problems by gathering, interpreting, combining and/or applying information from multiple sources.
Basic and Breadth Requirements
Specified and General Electives

Course Credits

Basic Skill – Communications (BS)

  • ENGL& 101 – Composition I (5)
  • ENGL& 102 – Composition II (5) or
    ENGL& 235 – Technical Writing (5)
10

Symbolic Quantitative Reasoning (SQR)

  • Any MATH course above 101:
    • MATH& 107 – Math in Society (5)
      (Liberal and Fine Arts, Early Childhood Ed), MATH&
    • 141 – Pre-Calculus I (5) (Computer Science, Manufacturing, STEM)
    • MATH& 146 – Statistics (5) (K-12 Ed, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Psychology) or
    • PHIL& 120 – Symbolic Logic (5) (Liberal and Fine Arts, undecided)
5

Humanities (HU/HP) (15 credits from TWO disciplines)
Includes art, communications, diversity, English, foreign
languages, music, philosophy, religious studies

*Maximum 5 credits of HP
**Maximum 5 credits of 100-level foreign language

15
Social Sciences (SS) (15 credits from THREE disciplines)
Includes anthropology, criminal justice, economics,
history, political science, psychology, sociology
15

Math/Science (LS/MS/NS)

*At least one LAB SCIENCE (LS) Course
**Maximum 5 credits of additional math

15

Additional Breadth (HP/HU/SS/LS/MS/NS/SQR)

5

PE/Wellness (PEH)
PEH 100 – Lifetime Wellness

3

Course Credits
Specified (HU/HP/SS/LS/MS/NS/SE) 10
General (any 100-level and above course) 12

Program News
Moses Lake Museum & Art Center

Salon Series: Dr. Barbara Bush, “The Problem with Voice”

inside lobby of Paul Hirai Fine Arts Building

Intro to Communication launches Fall 2023

Department Contact
Meet the Faculty
Physical Education Instructor, Andrea Elliott

Elliott, Andrea

Senior Associate Faculty
andreae@bigbend.edu
Communications Instructor, Mitch Poth

Poth, Mitch

Communication Studies/Business Associate Faculty
mitchellp@bigbend.edu
Rachel Valdez Communications instructor

Valdez, Rachel

Communication Studies Senior Associate Faculty
rachelv@bigbend.edu

Zuver, Christopher

Communication Studies Associate Faculty
ChristopherZ@bigbend.edu
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