Communication

Communication

Academics at Hanover:

Courses
Faculty

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. Take a look:

Media
Students can begin work in the campus TV station their freshman year, both on-camera and behind the scenes. Students produce and anchor talk, sports, news and variety programs. They travel around the world producing documentaries that are seen on PBS stations and at conferences and film festivals.

Research
Every year several senior research papers are accepted to prestigious national conferences, with departmental grants providing funding for our students to travel and present. Recently, senior Rachel Helt presented her paper “Breaking Bad News: The experience of patient physician communication when diagnosed with cancer” at the Health Communication Conference in Washington, D.C.

Rhetoric
Communication scholars readily discuss the latest political campaign, messages of pop music lyrics and social movements throughout history. Recently John Dean, the former White House counsel for President Richard Nixon, visited the Communication Law and Public Policy class and answered student questions about Watergate and Vietnam.

With a strong foundation of theory, mass media and public speaking courses, your degree in communication can lead to many types of careers, including:

  • Business
  • Government
  • Journalism
  • Broadcasting
  • Public relations
  • Health communications

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. 

FOCUSING ON YOUR INTERESTS

Communication skills will help you improve your social and career relationships, no matter where your career takes you. At Hanover, you’ll concentrate your studies by selecting an area of focus:

  • Mass media – the study of communicating to large populations, especially through print, broadcast and digital means
  • Rhetoric – the study of using language effectively, especially in public speaking and persuasive media
  • Business Communication – the study of how organizations communicate internally and to external audiences, especially through public relations and marketing
  • Law and Leadership – the study of problem solving that seeks positive social and structural change, especially in pre-law, political communication and organization management
  • Sports Communication – the practice of communication through the lens of sports management and media

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 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. 0.5 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.

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.

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.

COM 210 Graphic Design I 1.00 Explores design and the design process through historical examples, theory, typographic studies, problem definition, digital and traditional design tools, production and content delivery. Focus on digital photography and photo manipulation as well as digital illustration and graphic layout. Each student will gain professional experience and potentially work on a design project for Hanover College's Office of Communication and Marketing. Identical to ART210. Fee Charged. Partially satisfies the LA CCR.

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.

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.

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. Lecture and laboratory. Satisfies the S ACE.

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. Fee charged.

COM 246 Writing for the Media 1.00 An examination of writing styles used for television, radio, and the Internet, with emphasis on writing for public relations, journalism, and advertising. Course involves extensive writing practice. Lab fee.

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. Identical to Eng 251.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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: COM/ENG 251 or permission of instructor. Partially satisfies the HS CCR. Fee charged.

COM 345 Documentary Production 1.00 Advanced study and practice of video production principles and techniques, with emphasis on the documentary and reality television forms. Students will work on teams researching, shooting, producing, and writing their own minidocumentary and reality television segments, shot on location. In some years, course will involve off-campus travel. Prerequisite: 243. Satisfies the S ACE and partially satisfies the LA CCR. Lab fee.

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.

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. Prerequisite: COM/ENG 251 or permission of instructor.

COM 459 Professional Media Directorship 1.00 Culminating on-campus experience of applied nature in broadcasting, journalism, or public relations during the combined fall and winter terms in which the student assumes editorial responsibility for a campus media outlet. Approval must be received by the first week of fall term, but registration does not occur until winter term. Prerequisite: Application and approval of department chair.

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 462 Advanced Production Practicum 1.00 Advanced film and television course in which students complete a significant artistic or journalistic project. Can serve as culminating experience for Communication students, but is open to other majors. Prerequisites: Any two of: 243, 246, 345, or 344. Lab fee.

Faculty

Bill Bettler Professor of Communication and Speaking Co-Coordinator 812-866-7335 bettler@hanover.edu

Rachel Davidson Associate Professor of Communication and Speaking Co-Coordinator 812-866-7331 davidson@hanover.edu

Angela Elles '03 Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing 812-866-7111 elles@hanover.edu

Elizabeth Winters General Manager of the HC Channel /Associate Professor of Communication 812-866-7332 winters@hanover.edu

Valerie Young Professor of Communication and Associate Dean for Faculty Development 812-866-7330 youngv@hanover.edu

Related

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Hanover College
517 Ball Drive
Hanover, IN 47243