Communication Studies
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
- Dennis Doyle, Ph.D., professor of communication
Areas of interest include interpersonal communication, communication ethics, performance studies and communication education.
doyled@central.edu
- Linda Laine, Ph.D., assistant professor of communication
Areas of interest include communication in organizations and relationships, communication across difference and communication education.
lainel@central.edu
- Richard McGrath, Ph.D., (chair), associate professor of communication
Areas of interest include rhetorical theory and criticism, political communication and environmental communication.
mcgrathr@central.edu
Successful Careers
- Brooke Bouma, morning anchor WHO-TV, Des Moines, IA
- Elizabeth Devore, production manager, National Public Radio, Boston, MA
- Annie Thompson, coordinator of recruitment and student services,
Chicago Semester, Chicago, IL
- Alena Racheter Furlong, director of development,
Omaha Community Playhouse, Omaha, NE
- Betsy Kuecker, director of special events,
Junior Achievement of Southern Colorado, Inc., Colorado Springs, CO
- Robert Zirkelbach, media relations manager,
America’s Health Insurance Plans, Washington, D.C.
- Maria Zimmerman, communications specialist, Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, IA
- Laura Stensland, marketing specialist, Marsh Inc., West Des Moines, IA
- Melissa Kaufman, executive/marketing assistant,
Peter Lindsay Schaudt Landscape Architecture, Inc., Chicago, IL
- Wade Steinlage, sports information director, William Penn University, Oskaloosa, IA
- Valerie Miller, conference coordinator/columnist,
Law Bulletin Publishing Company, Chicago, IL
- Angie Carlson, senior client transition associate, Prudential Retirement, Dubuque, IA
- Derek Klopfenstein, wholesale support analyst, John Deere Credit, Johnston, IA
- Will Larson, casualty master claims representative, Allied Insurance, Iowa City, IA
Internships
Internships are a great way to gain career experience. Past internship sites have included the San Diego Chargers, Harpo Productions, CBS Evening News, the Cable News Network and The White House, as well as various newspapers, radio and television stations. Internships are also available through Central’s study abroad program. Sites include 9-5 Magazine in London, a weekly entertainment and jobs market magazine; London at Large, an international news service; and Vitalink, a California-based supplier of telecommunications and data communications equipment with a distribution center in the Netherlands.
Learn more about internships at Central.
Courses
- Photography
- Introduction to communication studies
- Introduction to journalism
- Communication theory and research
- Interpersonal communication
- Oral interpretation
- Readers theatre
- Intercultural communication
- Public speaking
- Media criticism
- Advanced journalism
- Public relations
- Communication in organizations
- Communication ethics
- Environmental communication
- Argumentation
- Persuasion
- Practicum in communication services
- Practicum in broadcasting
- Practicum in journalism
- Practicum in video production
- Internship
Get more details from the course catalog! (Note: this is a PDF file)
Sample Schedule
Freshman year
- Introduction to communication studies
- Communication electives at the 100-200 level
- Core courses and/or electives
Sophomore year
- Communication theory and research
- Public speaking
- Electives at the 100--200 level
- Core courses and/or electives
Junior year
- Practicum
- Communication electives at the 200–300 level
- Core courses and/or electives
- Study abroad
Senior Year
- Communication electives at the 300–400 level
- Internship in communication
- Core courses and/or electives
- Study abroad
Facilities
Central College is one of the most beautiful college campuses you'll find. A perfect mix of old and new, our buildings reflect our history and our future. Central's distinctive library is spacious and a popular haven with more then 230,000 volumes, computer stations, a multimedia collection and an extensive online computerized catalog.
Departmental Web site
Central’s communication department maintains its own Web site with even more information about majoring in communication.
Organizations
No matter what your interests are, Central has a student group or organization that you’ll want to join! Student organizations include:
- KCUI (radio station)
- The Ray (newspaper)
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 about Central’s study abroad programs.
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