Department of Communication Arts

The Department of Communication Arts offers a broad spectrum of majors designed to meet a variety of career possibilities for students interested in communication, media, and performance. Specifically, Communication Studies and Theatre are offered on the Statesboro and Armstrong campuses; while Multimedia Film and Production, Multimedia Journalism, and Public Relations are offered in Statesboro. Faculty within all majors are committed to providing programs and classes through which students develop life and professional skills by crafting oral and written presentations adapted to specific audiences; designing communication programs and campaigns; creating performance and design work, and enhancing critical analysis and problem-solving. Students work together and with faculty on research projects, state-of-the-art productions, events, campaigns, online news outlets, and films, which are recognized at conferences and festivals regionally and nationally.

Undergraduate

Students graduating with a B.A. degree in Theatre will be able to:

Analyze and think critically about text, performance, and production.
Apply fundamental skills in developing a character through performance techniques.
Identify and apply the aesthetic properties of style in the development of a theatrical design.
Assess and apply appropriate directing approaches and methodologies.
Recognize a wide selection of the theatre repertory, including the principal eras, genres, and cultural sources.

Students earning a B.S. in Communication Studies will be able to:

Develop a research prospectus employing appropriate methodologies to study their stated communication research question and/or hypothesis regarding human communication behavior.
Develop an analysis of a communication artifact utilizing an appropriate rhetorical criticism model.
Utilize current events as data for analysis of arguments in persuasive communication.
Demonstrate an awareness of ethical standards as they relate to persuasive communication.
Recognize the importance of culture and its impact on the reception of communication messages.

Students earning a B.S. in Multimedia and Film Production will be able to:

Apply discipline-specific formatting and writing standards in composing scripts.
Create multimedia productions using appropriate audio-visual standards for a variety of audiences.
Record audio using professional equipment and apply the necessary sound effects and music, as well as the selection of talent, in the creation of multimedia productions that meet audio standards for a variety of media platforms.
Apply industry editing practices to develop proficiencies in media storytelling through audio and video editing.
Analyze and evaluate content for storytelling compatibility in terms of audience and distribution.
Identify and analyze the role of ethics, law, history, society, and representation in multimedia disciplines.

Students earning a B.S. in Multimedia Journalism will be able to:

Create news stories at a professional level, using appropriate structures, with a focus on writing and presenting the information clearly.
Apply critical thinking skills and good research skills in selecting relevant sources, collecting necessary information, and synthesizing complex information for mass audiences.
Create broadcast news packages using good practices of presenting quality videos in a professional way.
Analyze and evaluate the potential legal and ethical implications of journalistic communication.

Students earning a B.S. in Public Relations will be able to:

Analyze public relations problems using research.
Develop a strategic public relations campaign plan for a client.
Apply public relations best practices in writing for target audiences.
Identify ethical implications in social science and public relations practices.

Graduate

The Professional Communication and Leadership degree focuses on written and verbal communication within the lens of leadership. It is a degree developed to prepare students as a working professional or for further study in the areas of communication, critical thinking, and leadership. Students of the program become familiar with communication strategies, technical editing, diverse contexts, and leadership in the public arena.

Reflecting the missions of Georgia Southern University and the College of Arts and Humanities, the Communication Arts and Writing and Linguistics departments foster a culture of close engagement with students, combining theory with practice, and extending the learning environment beyond the classroom to promote life-long learning and growth.

Programs

Undergraduate Program(s)

Undergraduate Minor(s)

Master’s Program(s)

Professional Communication and Leadership, M.A.

Graduate Certificate(s)

Professional Communication and Leadership Certificate