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Areas of Study
Introduction to Undergraduate Studies In
the School of Communication at OSU, students gain a better
understanding of the processes, role and power of communication.
Students will acquire practical and analytical skills and knowledge of
communication principles, how to understand audiences, shape messages,
and interact with individuals and technologies. They also will learn
about the power and influence of communication on society
The faculty in the School of Communication have highlighted four Undergraduate Program Areas, as described below.
Public Affairs Journalism (PAJ):
Students in the PAJ area are trained in the skills related to the
practice of journalism. In additional to journalism and communication
skills, it is critical for journalism students to be equipped with
in-depth knowledge in an area or specialization. To achieve these
objectives, students take classes that examine the processes of
journalism and the role of media in a democratic society. To address
the objective of domain-specific expertise, students in journalism are
required to complete a minor in an area such as political science,
business, or criminology that best fits their interests. To emphasize
applied learning, students are provided extensive skills training that
is further reinforced through experience at the Lantern, and which is
further reinforced through a news-related internship.
Communication Analysis and Practices (CAP):
Within the framework of communication and society, students can
specialize in different areas including public opinion and media
effects, relational and health communication, and communication and
advocacy. Courses in CAP emphasize the analysis of different types of
data, messages and communication practices. Within the broad array of
offerings in the CAP area, three thematic clusters are provided to
offer students some direction. However, students are not restricted to
courses within a single thematic cluster, but encouraged to choose
courses from within and between thematic clusters to fit career goals.
Thematic Clusters
Students
who focus on public opinion and media effects will study audience
analysis and the role of media in public opinion, politics and public
affairs. In addition, students will be trained in various research
techniques for analyzing audiences and media effects.
Students
who choose topics in relational and health communication will acquire
skills for communicating effectively in interpersonal contexts, in
small groups, and to the public at large. Other courses in this area
focus on communication in specific contexts such as physician-patient
settings, family situations, and small groups within organizations.
Another
important function of communication is persuasion and advocacy. Courses
in this area provide an understanding of processes of persuasion and
influence that can bring about social change.
Communication Technology (COT):
Much of human communication these days is mediated by communication
technologies. The purpose of the Communication Technology focus area is
to understand the relations between communication technology and
communication processes in different contexts. Another major theme of
this area is to examine how communication technology tools can be
better designed to improve usability and effectiveness. Students will
learn how to assess the needs of the end user by employing quantitative
and qualitative research techniques. Applying communication and design
principles, students will learn to design multimedia and online content
systems. Design principles will be drawn from areas such as,
communication, interactivity, social presence, cognitive engineering,
and human-computer interaction. Online news, entertainment media and
video games will be examined as well. Students will learn basic skills
required to design information environments and multimedia. To develop
specialized and advanced skills, students are strongly encouraged to
complete an internship and minor in one of the following areas:
computer and information science, cognitive science, design, or
business.
Strategic Communication (SCM):
This program focuses on communication processes and practices in
organizational contexts. Corporations, non-profit agencies and
government agencies allocate significant resources to communication
effectively with various employees, publics and audiences. Students in
this area will learn about communication practices within and between
organizations, including activities such as knowledge management,
negotiation, team problem-solving, leadership, inter-organizational
relationships, and persuasive communication in sales and marketing.
Another area of interest in strategic communication is the study of
communication between an organization and its external audiences.
Courses in this area emphasize all areas of public communication,
including advertising, persuasion, corporate identity, image repair,
and public relations advocacy.
For more information contact:
Susan Van Pelt
vanpelt.2@osu.edu
614-292-8444
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