Communication Studies Department

Terry Robertson, Chairperson
Beacom 218
(605) 677-6208
troberts@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/commstudies

FACULTY:

Associate Professors:

Terry Robertson, Political Communication, Rhetorical Studies, Environmental Communication
Carolyn Prentice, Family and Group Communication, Qualitative Methods

Assistant Professors:

Kelly McKay-Semmler, Intercultural and Interethnic Communication, Language and Social Interaction
Shane Semmler, Media Studies, Political Communication, Research Methods
Jill Tyler, Interpersonal and Relational Communication, Health Communication, Research Methods

Instructor:

Aimee Sorenson, Basic Course Director, Communication Pedagogy

MAJOR:

Communication Studies, B.A., B.S.

MINOR:

Communication Studies

The study of communication is the study of meaning-making – how humans use symbols to create and influence the world in which we live. Through our dynamic curriculum, the Department of Communication Studies addresses the many ways communication functions to create, maintain, and transform personal life, social relations, political institutions, media channels, organizations, and cultural conventions in society. Further, our education programs promote skills required for competence in mediated and non-mediated communication, and develop intellectual habits for analyzing, interpreting and critiquing communication problems and questions.

Communication study offers an education that not only disciplines minds in the pursuit of knowledge, but develops whole persons who are resilient enough to confront, evaluate, and influence the changing society in which they live. Through sound, ethical practice and rigorous intellectual inquiry, our students are prepared to provide leadership in an increasingly complex society. It is only through the skillful use of symbols that we are able to build the critical links between our ideas and the ideas of others, thereby understanding and affecting our relationships, our social systems and our world. As professionals in communication, we are committed to protecting free speech, nurturing diversity and creating a supportive environment for the free exchange of ideas.

For these reasons, communication skills, theory and research are at the very center of the liberal educational experience. Coursework focuses on interpersonal, organizational, rhetorical and applied dimensions of communication skill and inquiry. In our courses, students are required to think clearly and correctly, to speak responsibly, to adapt to the needs of others with sensitivity, to listen critically and to treat listeners ethically, to solve problems creatively and thoughtfully, and to express themselves with power and conviction.

Our program prepares students for professional careers in a variety of fields – business, education, politics, social and human services, health, sales and marketing, technology, public administration, and the arts and entertainment. Many of our majors go on to post-graduate education in law, medicine, business, education, and social and natural sciences.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Communication Studies Scholarship Fund (Communication Studies Majors)
Norman Watson Memorial (Communication Studies Majors)
Frieberg Forensic Scholarship (Debate)
Dr. Harold M. Jordan (Incoming First-year students interested in debate)