Department of Communication Studies

Website: https://www.washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/arts-sciences/departments/communication/index.html

Faculty

Professor Jim Schnoebelen, PhD, Chair
Professor and Associate Dean of CAS Tracy Routsong, PhD
Assistant Professor Adebanke Adebayo, PhD
Assistant Professor Carson Kay, PhD
Director of Debate/Senior Lecturer Kevin O’Leary, PhD
Assistant Director of Debate/Lecturer Steve Doubledee, MA
Lecturer, Alexandra Kirksey, PhD

Mission

The Washburn University Communication Studies Department exists to advance the intellectual growth and development of marketable skills by majors, minors, and general education students. This is achieved through student-centered instruction which relies upon Communication theory and research to develop critical thinking skills in written, oral, and nonverbal communication. Communication Studies faculty teach Communication courses, mentor clubs, and coach activities to foster the development of skills that enhance student success in professional and community settings. Thus, Communication Studies students are able to resolve communication challenges, engage in principled actions as citizens and scholars, and achieve rewarding, productive careers.

Student Learning Outcomes

Communication Studies majors at Washburn University should be able to, upon graduation:

• Describe the purposes of communication in the 21st Century.
• Analyze the needs and expectations of audiences.
• Create messages to achieve specific communication goals.
• Apply communication skills and theory to generate new insights into contemporary communication situations.
• Describe complexities such as race, gender, culture, and interpersonal history, of communication situations.

The Communication Studies major prepares students for professional and personal success. Some fields where communication graduates are building their careers are corporate management, human resources, training and development, advertising, marketing, banking and insurance. The 36 hour major is designed to provide broad general theory and skills for application in many communication arenas. Students who want to pursue graduate or professional school are well prepared to enter the most competitive programs. Students who take communication studies courses develop strong general education skills, as well as in-depth understanding of the theory and practice of human communication. Six courses are specifically identified to meet general education requirements: CN 101 Introduction to Communication Studies, CN 150 Public Speaking, CN 151 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication, CN 341 Persuasive Speaking, CN 342 Communication-Teams and Groups and CN 351 Special Topics in Interpersonal Communication. Alumni find employment as corporate trainers, lobbyists, small business owners, directors of non-profits, consultants, and in a broad range of other careers.

Debate

The nationally ranked debate program offers opportunities in competitive forensics with an emphasis on NFA Lincoln-Douglas debate. Scholarships are available.

Mock Trial

Washburn University fields a highly competitive mock trial team that competes at tournaments throughout the fall, with regionals and nationals in the spring. Students hone their legal presentation and critical thinking skills by acting as witnesses and attorneys in trials. Scholarships are available.

Departmental Honors

To receive departmental honors, a graduating student must have a GPA of 3.5 in the Major and an A in Capstone (CN 491 Senior Capstone Internship or CN 498 Senior Capstone).

Lambda Pi Eta

This is the honorary society sponsored by the National Communication Association, the professional organization of communication scholars. To be included in Lambda Pi Eta students must attain a minimum of 60 credit hours with a GPA of 3.0, have taken 12 credit hours of communication while maintaining a 3.25 GPA in CN classes and be enrolled in good standing with the department.

Programs

Please see the Graduate catalog for additional information regarding the department's graduate programs:

• Master of Arts - Communication and Leadership
• Graduate Certificate in Communication and Leadership

Course Offerings