Communication Studies

Faculty

Karen T. Erlandson, professor.
B.A., M.A., Michigan State University; Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara. Appointed 2002.

Megan R. Hill, chair and associate professor.
B.A., Oakland University; M.A., Ph.D., The Ohio State University. Appointed 2013.

Katey A. Price, assistant professor.
B.A., Lake Superior State University; M.A., Central Michigan University, Ph.D., The Ohio State University. Appointed 2015.

Jeffrey Cox, assistant professor.
B.A., Kenyon College; M.A., Indiana University, Ph.D., Michigan State University. Appointed 2013.

Katie Broekema-Tolksdorf, visiting instructor.
B.A., Albion College; M.A., Central Michigan University. Appointed 2019.

Jasmine LaBine, visiting instructor.
B.A., Western Michigan University; M.A., Western Michigan University. Appointed 2021.

Dan Lake, visiting instructor.
B.A., Michigan State University ; M.A., Northwestern University. Appointed 2021.

Introduction

Communication focuses on how people use messages to generate meaning within and across all kinds of contexts, cultures, channels, and media. It is intertwined with virtually every aspect of our lives and plays an integral role in everything from the development of our personal identities to the processes involved with changing our societies.

Our mission is to provide students with an understanding of communication that will help them fulfill the liberal arts mission of developing critical thinking and transferable skills in order to become educated and ethical members of a global society. Specifically, we provide a curriculum that will:

help students understand the importance of communication in a variety of contexts;
help students understand major theories in communication studies;
help students understand the research process;
help students gain competency in presentation skills;
prepare students for graduate study in communication studies and/or professional endeavors;
prepare students with the communication skills necessary to create and maintain healthy relationships and communities.

Communication Studies Department Website

Career Opportunities

Although this department’s courses are within the mainstream of the liberal arts tradition, intended to provide important theory and practice for all Albion students, concentration in communication studies is especially valuable for students preparing for professions such as marketing, public relations, advertising, sports marketing and management, event planning, politics, public service, education, medicine and the law.

Special Features

Internships are viewed as valuable learning experiences, and the department encourages all interested students to explore and pursue these opportunities. Juniors and seniors may participate in communication internships covering areas such as public relations, event planning, broadcasting and marketing, to name only a few. These internships may be completed during fall or spring semester locally, over the summer in areas such as Detroit or Chicago, or as part of an off-campus program such as Australearn, the Chicago Center or Boston University’s London program. Students are encouraged to discuss these opportunities with faculty in the Communication Studies Department for more information.

In addition, the Communication Studies Department awards several scholarships each year through two different scholarship funds. The Bernard T. Lomas Scholarship is awarded to outstanding incoming first-year students majoring in communication studies or a related field, and the William C. Henning Merit Scholarship, which is awarded to a select group of current communication studies majors who demonstrate academic excellence and promise. The department also sponsors the annual Kropscott Symposium, which provides students the opportunity to attend lectures and participate in workshops presented by scholars and practitioners in various communication fields.

The department offers students the option of completing several different majors or minors, including: a general communication studies major/minor, an integrated marketing communication major, a sport communication major/minor, or a health communication minor.

Student Learning Outcomes

Communication Studies Major

1: Increase confidence in one’s own presentation skills and manage communication anxiety.

2 : Demonstrate knowledge of the socially appropriate communicative behavior in a given situation.

3 : Identify and utilize the tools and methods necessary to conduct social scientific research.

4 : Integrate knowledge and learning across the communication discipline to create messages for diverse targets, contexts, and purposes.

5 : Exhibit multi-channel media fluency, applying communication skills including oral, written, visual, digital, and technological to successfully engage multiple stakeholders.

Integrated Marketing Communication Major

1: Increase confidence in one’s own presentation skills and manage communication anxiety.

2 : Demonstrate knowledge of the socially appropriate communicative behavior in a given situation.

3 : Identify and utilize the tools and methods necessary to conduct social scientific research.

4 : Demonstrate an understanding of the history of media, advertising, and public relations, their complementary roles, and the influence of technology on the profession.

5 : Apply public relations, social media and marketing techniques to develop an integrated campaign to promote a business, product or service.

Sport Communication Major

1: Increase confidence in one’s own presentation skills and manage communication anxiety.

2 : Demonstrate knowledge of the socially appropriate communicative behavior in a given situation.

3 : Identify and utilize the tools and methods necessary to conduct social scientific research.

4 : Demonstrate an understanding of the history and distinguishing characteristics of the sports communication field.

5 : Critically analyze the socio-political connections within the culture and industry of sports.

Communication Studies Minor

1 : Increase confidence in one’s own presentation skills and manage communication anxiety.

2 : Demonstrate knowledge of the socially appropriate communicative behavior in a given situation.

3 : Identify and utilize the tools and methods necessary to conduct social scientific research.

Sport Communication Minor

1 : Increase confidence in one’s own presentation skills and manage communication anxiety.

2 : Demonstrate an understanding of the history and distinguishing characteristics of the sports communication field.

3 : Critically analyze the socio-political connections with the culture and industry of sports.

Health Communication Minor

1 : Describe fundamental ideas and principles of health communication and related disciplines.

2 : Assess and connect audience/stakeholder needs with health communication and promotion outcomes.

3 : Develop goals and strategies of communication for health promotion.