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Course Listings

Communication

A major and a minor in Communication is available. See also majors and minors in Broadcasting, Journalism, and Film Production, and the minor in Multimedia Communication.

Major in Communication

44 credit hours (core + one concentration area)

Core courses (26 credit hours)

Generalist concentration (18 credit hours)

Public Relations concentration (18 credit hours)

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates with a major in Communication will:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of core communication principles and research methods.
  2. Create a diverse multimedia portfolio.
  3. Demonstrate a set of professional skills and competencies.
  4. Engage the campus and community through co-curricular media involvement.
  5. Demonstrate learning and competence in completing one or more internships.
  6. Report that courses and other collegiate training prepared them for a position in communication or a related career.
  7. Engage in meaningful discussions about media, professionalism, and ethics.

Planning Guide

First YearGoshen Core
Introduction to Communication
Communication Research
100-299 level courses in major
Second YearGoshen Core
Media Law and Ethics
Expository Writing
Other courses in major
SST
Third YearGoshen Core
Communication and Society
Courses in major
Fourth YearBalance of Goshen Core
Balance of major
Internship
Senior Seminar

Planning and Advising Notes

Comm 200, Communication Practice should be with a co-curricular closely related to the area of concentration. The Comm 409, Internship should be in the student’s area of concentration. A portfolio or its equivalent is required for graduation.

Minimum academic requirement: All communication majors and minors must earn a grade of C- or higher in all courses required for their major or minor. Failure to attain this level of achievement requires the student to either repeat the course (for specific requirements) or take an additional course (an option for elective courses) and achieve a grade of C- or higher.

A maximum of 45 credit hours in communication courses may be applied to a degree. Also, no more than 12 credit hours in experiential learning (Comm 200, 209, 409 or 412) may be applied.

Minor in Communication

18 credit hours

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates with a minor in Communication will:

  1. Comprehend a core of knowledge in the field.
  2. Report that courses and other collegiate training prepared them for a position in communication or a related career.

Planning and Advising Notes

In the minor concentration, at least 5 credit hours must be upper level (300 and above), with at least 9 credit hours in communication and at least 6 taken at Goshen College.

Course descriptions

  • ART 208 Graphic Design 2: Typography

    Students are introduced to the elements and principles of graphic design/visual communication. Emphasis will be placed on the aesthetic use of typography and image in the development of projects in publication, poster and advertising design. This course will also provide...

  • BUS 121 Entrepreneurship

    The best way to learn about entrepreneurship is to do entrepreneurship. This course combines stories of success and failure in entrepreneurship, exploration of each student’s aptitude for entrepreneurship, cultivation of new ideas, and practice with starting new ventures. Design thinking,...

  • BUS 220 Spreadsheet Skills

    This course provides students with the basic and intermediate spreadsheet skills expected by employers. Students will learn basic functions, chart creation, data analysis and visualization and tools commonly used by organizations.

  • BUS 315 People & Culture Management

    People and Culture Management is a central function of any organization. Managers and employees play an integral role in carrying out human resource policies and practices in their organization. In this course students will think systematically and strategically about aspects...

  • BUS 316 Marketing Management

    The nature of marketing in our society; how organizations develop marketing strategies that enable them to meet their objectives and the needs of their customers through adequate marketing mixes; the relationship of marketing to other management functions; marketing activities at...

  • BUS 338 Professional Selling

    An introduction to the dynamic world of business to business selling. A pragmatic approach to the techniques and skills used by professional sales persons. Includes role playing and the development of a sales presentation. Prerequisite: Bus 244.

  • COMM 101 Introduction to Communication

    This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of communication, exploring its fundamental concepts, theories, and practices. Students will engage in self-assessment and career exploration, gaining insight into both traditional and emerging professional opportunities in the communication disciplines. Topics...

  • COMM 108 Digital Design

    (Cross-listed from Art 108) This course in visual expression and communication will introduce students to relevant computer programs including Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Through exercises, projects and critiques, students will learn both creative visual design and technical aspects...

  • COMM 200 Communication Practice

    Applied work in communication with The Record, Globe Media, FiveCore Media, the Public Relations Student Society of America, or other on-campus communication activity. A maximum of two hours applicable toward a communication major or minor. Consent of instructor required.

  • COMM 202 Purposeful Presentation

    Students will polish their skills in public speaking, facilitation and active listening. Focusing on content creation and message delivery, this course is designed to provide practical experience in impromptu speaking, formulating and delivering persuasive arguments and effectively utilizing images and...

  • COMM 204 Expository Writing

    (Cross-listed from Engl 204) Theory and practice of written communication. Assignments in a variety of prose forms aim at developing the student’s control of logic, organization, rhetoric, usage, and audience accommodation. Prerequisite: CORE 110 or equivalent.

  • COMM 240 Communication Research

    An introduction to theory building and research methodology of mass communication. Course focuses on the practical aspects of communication research, providing a framework for conducting quantitative and qualitative research..

  • COMM 250 Journalism Essentials

    Students will learn how to produce journalism and how to tell stories in different forms and across various platforms. They will learn the techniques of interviewing and practice professional research methods. The course will provide a grounding in Associated Press...

  • COMM 255 Photography

    (Cross-listed from Art 255) A beginning course in the art and communication of digital photography. Students will explore photography through manual settings, post production, and print. The course will also touch on the history of photography, work by contemporary artists,...

  • COMM 260 Broadcast Writing

    Students will study the principles, forms and techniques of writing for broadcast media. Assignments will focus on the writing and editing of broadcast news and commercial messages.

  • COMM 270 Media, Law & Ethics

    The course provides an introduction to the U.S. legal system and the major principles of media law. The course will cover issues like access to information, accuracy, conflicts of interest, deception, fairness, libel, obscenity, plagiarism and privacy. Students will devote...

  • COMM 308 Feature Writing

    Students will study nonfiction writing forms, including narrative journalism, and learn the process of publishing articles in newspaper, magazine and online markets. Students will prepare articles for submission. Prerequisite: Comm 204 or 250 or equivalent.

  • COMM 322 Organizational Communication

    An exploration of communication within organizations, as well as communication between organizations and the larger society. Topics include theories of communication and organizational structure; examination of power, culture, and conflict in organizations; and analysis of verbal and nonverbal messages in...

  • COMM 324 Principles of Public Relations

    Introduction to public relations contexts, issues and practices – research, planning, communicating and evaluating. Emphasis on skills in analyzing public opinion and in communication with internal and external publics, with special attention to not-for-profit organizations. Prerequisite: Comm 240 or Bus...

  • COMM 326 Creating for the Web

    This course examines the necessary tools for building successful web pages. Students utilize design elements and principles to emphasize the importance of the web as an effective form of communication. They also learn languages of page development (HTML/CSS) and responsive...

  • COMM 350 Reporting for the Public Good

    Journalism’s role in serving the public good will be in the forefront as students discuss civic journalism, the watchdog function of the news media, tensions between profits and public service, and the advocacy of peace and justice. Students will focus...

  • COMM 383 Communication and Society

    A study of communication issues in modern society with attention to the persons, institutions, media and systems that facilitate social interaction. An overview of communication philosophy as a basis for ethical and aesthetic perspectives.

  • COMM 409 Internship

    Experiential learning, usually in an off-campus professional setting, for communication majors and minors. The student contracts with a faculty member in regard to goals, performance expectations, supervision, evaluation and course subtitle. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

  • COMM 410 Senior Seminar

    Senior Seminar offers a consideration of ethical and professional issues in the fields of art, communication, English, and theater. Assignments include information interviews with practitioners in the respective fields, oral presentations, and the preparation of a capstone portfolio and polished...

  • COMM 412 Special Project

    Students may conduct research of particular interest or pursue specialized applied projects in communication under faculty supervision. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

  • THEA 235 Your Powerful Voice

    An introduction to performance studies as a mode of inquiry. Concentration on the methods of communicating narrative texts for various audiences. Course activities/assignments will explore the power and role of story in contemporary culture by analyzing and participating in various...

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