Communication

Academics at Hanover:

Communication students learn through hands-on experience at Hanover. Small class sizes mean you’ll put communication theory into action right from the start and acquire an impressive amount of real-world experience by the time you graduate.

In fact, communication majors at Hanover College have the kind of opportunities only given to graduate students at most other schools.

Yuri Abrao, communication major, holding a tablet displaying 'Healthy Eating for a Longer Life' with a quote about research and credibility in persuasive communication

Gabby Parrish, communication major in sports journalism, speaking and taking notes during an interview

Communication Tracks

Law & Leadership

Careers

Government
Politics
Law
Management
Advocacy
Non-Profit
Account Executive
Human Resources
Operation Manager

Media

Careers

Corporate Video
Production Studio
Film Industry
Multimedia/Production Specialist
Design & Digital Publishing
Journalist

Public Relations

Careers

Marketing
Public Information Officer
Campaign Manager
Spokesperson
Publicist
Social Media Coordinator
Multimedia Writer & Editor

Sports & Media

Careers

Journalism
Sports Information
Sports Media
Athletic Communications
Sports Marketing
Sports Writing
Content Creation
Sports Editing and Production

Hanover communication majors can join the National Millennial Group which puts top college students together with executives from corporations, foundations, nonprofits, and government for conversations on important issues. Recent majors and minors have taken trips with the group to Boston, Washington D.C., San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

WHAT DO COMMUNICATION MAJORS STUDY?

Creative media
Visual communication and mass media
Organizational communication
Interpersonal communication
Gender and cross-cultural communication
Political rhetoric and campaigns
Communication research and methodology
Other topics that interest you, from American journalism to film studies

Graduate professional placements have included:

Creative Director, Oregon State University Football
Senior Business Development Analyst, Kao Corporation
Public Relations Officer, Owensboro Public Schools
Corporate Marketing, Cummins Inc.
News Reporter, WGPH Fox 8 (Chapel Hill, NC)
Public Relations Executive, USA Networks (Weston, CT)
Event Planner, Minor League Baseball Team
Deputy Press Secretaries for several U.S. Senators
Director, Monumental Productions
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
Public Relations Manager, Louisville Zoo
Claims Director, Humana, Inc.

Graduate school placements have included:

Valparaiso University
University of Louisville
University of California
University of Nevada
Indiana University
Ball State University
Carmel University
University of Cincinnati
University of Connecticut
University of Notre Dame
Purdue University
Ohio State University
University of Kentucky

Sampling of internship placements:

WRTV, WLKY and WDKY
Muhammed Ali Center
Chamber of Commerce, Madison Indiana
Indiana State Fair
Ohio Valley Electric Corporation
Habitat for Humanity
Kentucky Education Television
Cleveland Marriott Society Center
Walt Disney World College Program

COURSES

Number

Name

Units

Description

COM 049 Media Production Participation .25 Involvement in approved journalism and television production projects. Pass/Fail. May be repeated for up to 1 unit. Can not be taken concurrently with 101. 0.25 unit.

COM 101 Media Production Skills .50 Students learn digital photography, video, and audio skills while participating in campus media activities. Students are involved in both production crew and editorial/creative roles. Pass/fail. May be repeated for up to 1 credit. 0.50 unit.

COM 161 Rhetoric of American Identity 1.00 An examination of great works of literature, political rhetoric, art, film, and theater that have helped create and critique the identity of the United States. The course will trace themes of individualism, freedom, equality, populism, diversity, and nature in works from the 19th and 20th centuries and will examine the implications of various American self-definitions. Partially satisfies the LA CCR and satisfies the S ACE. Partially satisfies LA Knowledge in the Hanover Core. Satisfies S Skills in the Hanover Core.

COM 163 Argument & Persuasion in Antiquity 1.00 The art of oratory (i.e., public speaking) was developed and elaborated by both the ancient Greeks and the Romans. Persuasion and oral arguments were crucial for the conduct of politics and the law-courts. Not only were famous political and court speeches painstakingly preserved and avidly read, but ancient historical narratives, philosophical works, and even stage dramas also contain extended speeches exhibiting many of the same rhetorical features as their “real-world” cousins. Students in this course will read and analyze a variety of ancient Greek and/or Roman speeches as well as theoretical works about speech-making, all in English translation. They will also give several speeches of their own in which they will construct arguments and practice persuasive techniques. Identical to Cla 163. Partially satisfies the HS CCR. Satisfies the S ACE. Partially satisfies HS Knowledge in the Hanover Core. Satisfies S Skills in the Hanover Core.

COM 164 War & Upheaval through Film 1.00 Analysis of films at the levels of message creation, audience response, and social impact on issues such as war, race, religion and gender. Partially satisfies the HS CCR and satisfies the W1 ACE. Partially satisfies HS Knowledge in the Hanover Core. Satisfies W1 Skills in the Hanover Core.

COM 210 Graphic Design I 1.00 Through practice and historic examples, this course focuses on the effective use of color, typography, imagery, and visual hierarchy. Students will develop creative and technical skills, gaining a deeper understanding of how design choices influence meaning and readability, while honing their ability to communicate ideas clearly through strong, visually engaging compositions. Identical to ARTD 210. Partially satisfies the LA CCR. Partially satisfies LA Knowledge in the Hanover Core. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above or instructor permission. Fee Charged.

COM 211 Public Communication 1.00 Explores the theories, practice, and criticism of oral communication as a responsibility of individuals living in a democracy. Focus equally divided between mass media, small group, and public speaking. Satisfies the S ACE. Satisfies S Skills in the Hanover Core.

COM 212 Introduction to Communication 1.00 Examines a broad spectrum of communication concepts and issues in modern society. Directed at students with an interest in the discipline of communication.

COM 240 Survey of Mass Media 1.00 Survey of functions, operations, responsibilities, and influences of various mass communication media with major emphasis on broadcasting. Directed toward the consumer and critic of mass media in American culture. Partially satisfies the HS CCR. Partially satisfies HS Knowledge in the Hanover Core.

COM 242 Visual Communication 1.00 Introduction to the fundamental concepts and principles of visual message design. Emphasis on development of visual literacy, understanding of theories of visual perceptions, and critical analysis of media messages. Satisfies the S ACE. Satisfies S Skills in the Hanover Core. Fee charged.

COM 243 Video Production 1.00 Introduction to the principles and practice of video production, with an emphasis on applied aesthetics. Includes methods of program design and management, single and multi-camera production technique, editing, lighting, sound, and visual effects. Partially satisfies the LA CCR. Partially satisfies LA Knowledge in the Hanover Core. Fee charged.

COM 244 Interviewing and Hosting 1.00 This course will explore both the theory and practice of interviewing, from the points of view of the interviewer, interviewee, and mass audiences. Students will develop mediated presentation skills and learn how to organize and script digital programs and events, including social media videos, teleconferences, and television programs. Satisfies the S ACE. Satisfies S Skills in the Hanover Core. Fee charged.

COM 246 Writing for PR and Advertising 1.00 An examination of writing styles used for digital media and broadcast platforms, with emphasis on writing for public relations and advertising. Students combine written communication with visual elements to create powerful narratives that resonate with diverse audiences as they apply principles to real-world scenarios in developing targeted public relations campaigns.

COM 250 The Rhetoric of Film 1.00 Examines the psychological and rhetorical qualities of film as they apply to filmmakers, audiences, and cinematic texts. An interdisciplinary approach integrates experimental, qualitative, and interpretive research from the domains of psychology, mass communication, film studies, and literary criticism. Identical to Psy 250. Prerequisite: 212 or 242 or Psy 111.

COM 251 American Journalism 1.00 An introductory course that explores the theoretical and practical sides of contemporary newspaper, magazine, and Internet journalism. Topics may include history and evolution of U.S. print media, their ethics, and their role in American society today. Intensive work on reporting and writing. In-class discussion of student work. Partially satisfies the LA CCR and satisfies W1 ACE. Partially satisfies LA Knowledge in the Hanover Core. Satisfies W1 Skills in the Hanover Core. Identical to Eng 251.

COM 318 Media Literacy 1.00 This course is designed to cultivate media literacy by studying the history and development of print, broadcast, and digital media. Various perspectives, including critical, feminist, rhetorical, and structural will be employed. Students will complete an original research project.

COM 319 Organizational Communication 1.00 Examines the role and function of communication in businesses and other modern organizations. Includes study of organizational theory, message transmission, conflict management, employee motivation and satisfaction, and related current issues.

COM 320 Persuasive Communication 1.00 Examines the function of persuasion in affecting public opinion, the role of persuasive methods, and techniques for implementing social change.

COM 321 Media Criticism 1.00 An examination of how rhetorical theory and criticism help audiences interpret and find meaning from media texts, including film, song, and television.

COM 323 Gender and Communication 1.00 Study of the significance of gender in personal, interpersonal, organizational, and societal contexts. Partially satisfies the HS CCR. Partially satisfies HS Knowledge in the Hanover Core.

COM 324 Rhetorical Theory 1.00 Study of the development of public communication in relationship to the development of Western philosophy and practice. Emphasizes major rhetorical theories from the classical to the contemporary era. Prerequisite: 212 and junior or senior standing. Satisfies the W2 ACE and partially satisfies LA CCR. Partially satisfies LA Knowledge in the Hanover Core. Satisfies W2 Skills in the Hanover Core.

COM 325 Political Rhetoric and Campaigns 1.00 Examines the role of communication in political contexts, such as campaigns and public address. Partially satisfies the HS CCR. Partially satisfies HS Knowledge in the Hanover Core. Not open to students with prior credit in COM 326.

COM 327 Interpersonal Communication 1.00 Examines communication behavior in developing and maintaining human relationships. Partially satisfies the HS CCR. Partially satisfies HS Knowledge in the Hanover Core.

COM 328 Cross-Cultural Communication 1.00 Perspectives on cross-cultural communication, including culture-bound assumptions, cross-cultural analysis of values, beliefs, verbal and non-verbal communication and their impact. Partially satisfies the HS CCR. Satisfies the S ACE. Satisfies the CP ACE. Partially satisfies HS Knowledge in the Hanover Core. Satisfies S and CP Skills in the Hanover Core.

COM 330 Comm. Research & Methodology 1.00 Examines the empirical side of the communication field and its literature, exploring research designs, methods, and technologies and the empirical literature of communication research. Prerequisite: 212 and junior or senior standing. Satisfies the W2 ACE. Satisfies W2 Skills in the Hanover Core.

COM 342 Multimedia Journalism 1.00 Examines the acquisition, production, and distribution of video news in society. Includes broadcast news, video storytelling, and social media. Prerequisite: any of 242, 243, 244, or 251, or permission of instructor. Partially satisfies the HS CCR. Partially satisfies HS Knowledge in the Hanover Core. Fee charged.

COM 345 Documentary Production 1.00 Study of film and television documentary genre, style, narrative, and craft. In addition to studying documentary as a reality-based art form, students will work in teams to develop and produce documentary projects. In some years, the course will involve off-campus travel. Prerequisite 049, 101, 242, 243, or permission of the instructor. Partially satisfies the LA CCR. Satisfies the S ACE. Partially satisfies LA Knowledge in the Hanover Core. Satisfies S Skills in the Hanover Core. Fee charged.

COM 346 Health Communication 1.00 An examination of health communication in several different social and cultural contexts, including theory, organizational structures, media and technology, and personal relationships. Satisfies the CP ACE. Satisfies CP Skills in the Hanover Core.

COM 350 Communication Law & Public Policy 1.00 Survey of communication policy issues with emphasis on U.S. lawmaking process, highlighting current issues and the dynamic relationships between governmental entities, the public, communication industries, and influencers. Includes topics of censorship and speech rights, communication industry regulation, privacy, libel, newsgathering, intellectual property, and commercial speech. Not open to students with prior credit in COM349.

COM 351 Sports Journalism 1.00 An advanced course that explores the theoretical and practical sides of contemporary newspaper, internet, magazine and television sports journalism. Topics include the coverage of high school, college, and professional sports, ethics in journalism, and coverage of sports features, personalities and sports business. Intensive work on reporting, writing, photography, and filming. In-class discussion of student work. Fee charged.

COM 352 Marketing and Promotions 1.00 Introduces the fundamentals of marketing with special emphasis on the “promotion” element of the overall marketing mix- advertising, sales promotion and public relations. Marketing fundamentals will be covered, such as segmentation, branding, positioning, consumer behavior and the “four Ps.” A large component of the course will be more in-depth consideration of marketing communication than is typical in an introductory marketing course, including practical exercises in planning and developing a communication campaign. Identical to BUSN 352. Not opent to students with credit in BUSN 321. Prerequisite: COM 212 or BUSN 211.

COM 357 Internship 1.00 Off-campus supervised experience in Communication.

COM 461 Senior Seminar 1.00 Examines communication research questions from diverse perspectives and methods of analysis. Students will complete an original, empirical research paper related to a topic of the student’s interest in the field of communication. Culminating experience. Prerequisites: 212, 330. Communication Major. Senior standing.

COM 463 Advanced Practicum 1.00 Advanced applied media course in which students complete a significant artistic, promotional, or journalistic project. Serves as a culminating experience for Communication students but is open to students in other programs. Prerequisites: two of 210, 242, 243, 244, 246 and 352; or one of: 342, 345, or 351. Fee charged.