Majors
Communication studies major
The communication studies department at Central College offers a broad-based communication curriculum enabling students to adapt to ever-changing career demands, participate productively as citizens and engage in life-long learning. A focus on critical thinking, clear writing, articulate speaking and proficiency with technology helps prepare students for a range of professions. Graduates have secured jobs in public relations, advertising and marketing, print and broadcast journalism, human resources and other communication-related careers.
Faculty
- Linda Laine, Ph.D., (chair), associate professor of communication
Areas of interest include communication in organizational, intercultural, and health contexts, lainel@central.edu
- Benjamin Allen, M.B.A., adjunct instructor and advisor for The Ray, online student newspaper, allenb@central.edu
- Shelley Bradfield, Ph.D., assistant professor of communication
Areas of interest include global media cultures, feminism and gender studies, and the construction of identities in the media, bradfields@central.edu
- Dennis Doyle, Ph.D., professor of communication
Areas of interest include interpersonal communication, communication ethics, and performance studies, doyled@central.edu
- Richard McGrath, Ph.D., associate professor of communication
Areas of interest include rhetorical theory and criticism, political communication, and environmental communication, mcgrathr@central.edu
News about Communication studies
Parliament Calling
Junior Emily Rouse interned at British Parliament in London—an invaluable experience for her future career as a lawyer.
Successful Careers
- Morning anchor WHO-TV, Des Moines, Iowa
- Production manager, National Public Radio, Boston, Massachusetts
- Coordinator of recruitment and student services, Chicago Semester, Chicago, Illinois
- Director of development, Omaha Community Playhouse, Omaha, Nebraska
- Director of special events, Junior Achievement of Southern Colorado, Inc., Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Media relations manager, America’s Health Insurance Plans, Washington, D.C.
- Communications specialist, Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Marketing specialist, Marsh Inc., West Des Moines, Iowa
- Executive/marketing assistant, Peter Lindsay Schaudt Landscape Architecture, Inc., Chicago, Illinois
- Sports information director, William Penn University, Oskaloosa, Iowa
- Conference coordinator/columnist, Law Bulletin Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois
- Senior client transition associate, Prudential Retirement, Dubuque, Iowa
- Wholesale support analyst, John Deere Credit, Johnston, Iowa
- Casualty master claims representative, Allied Insurance, Iowa City, Iowa
- Event and volunteer coordinator, Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines, Iowa
- Communication specialist, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland, Ohio
- Public relations coordinator, Tassel Ridge Winery, Oskaloosa, Iowa
- Marketing coordinator, Global Spectrum, Iowa Events Center, Des Moines, Iowa
Internships
Internships are a great way to gain career experience. Central students can do internships in the Pella and Des Moines area, on our Chicago or Washington, DC programs, or at one of Central's eight study abroad sites. Past internship sites have included:
- The San Diego Chargers, San Diego, California
- Harpo Productions, Chicago, Illinois
- CBS Evening News, New York, New York
- Meredith Publishing, Des Moines, Iowa
- Cable News Network, Washington, D.C.
- The White House, Washington, D.C.
- 9-5 magazine, London, England
- Vitalink Telecommunications Co., Leiden, the Netherlands
- Iowa House of Representatives, Des Moines, Iowa
- Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation, Des Moines, Iowa
- Pella Opera House, Pella, Iowa
- Iowa Council for International Understanding, Des Moines, Iowa
- Iowa Events Center, Des Moines, Iowa
- Victory Records, Chicago, Illinois
- United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Heritage Lace, Pella, Iowa
- Pella Regional Health Center, Pella, Iowa
- Musco Lighting, Oskaloosa, Iowa
Graduate Placement
2007 graduates: 85 percent employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation.
2006 graduates: 97 percent employed or in graduate school within one year of graduation.
Learn more about internships at Central.
Courses
- Fundamentals of human communication
- Introduction to journalism
- Introduction to communication theory
- Communication research and writing
- Interpersonal communication
- Oral interpretation
- Readers theatre
- Intercultural communication
- Public speaking
- Media criticism
- Public relations
- Organizational communication
- Communication ethics
- Technology and human communication
- Environmental communication
- Persuasion
- Practicum in communication services
- Practicum in journalism
- Internship
Sample Schedule
Freshman year
- Fundamentals of human communication
- Introduction to communication theory
- Communication electives at the 100-200 level
- Core courses and/or electives
Sophomore year
- Communication research and writing
- Public speaking
- Electives at the 200 level
- Core courses and/or electives
- Practicum
Junior year
- Practicum
- Communication electives at the 300 level
- Core courses and/or electives
- Study abroad
Senior Year
- Internship in communication
- Core courses and/or electives
- Study abroad
Get more details from the course catalog! (Note: this is a PDF file)
Facilities
Central College is one of the most beautiful college campuses you'll find. In fall 2009 the communication studies department joined the education, psychology and community-based learning departments in a new 57,748 gross square foot structure, costing more than $18 million. Located on the southwest side of campus, across from the Vermeer Science Center, the three-story building features state of the art classrooms, energy conservation and environmental sustainability. Central has received a platinum LEED rating for the building.
Department Web site
Central’s communication studies department maintains its own website with even more information about majoring in communication studies.
Organizations
No matter what your interests are, Central has a student group or organization that you’ll want to join! Communication-related activities include:
Study Abroad
Students are encouraged to study abroad with one of Central’s eight international programs to enhance their development as global citizens, or with Central’s Chicago program and the Washington, D.C., program. Learn more about Central’s study abroad programs.
Scholarships
Central offers Communication Studies scholarships of up to $2,000 for all students (majors and non-majors) planning to continue involvement at the college level. Learn more about scholarship information!
