Communication Analysis & Practice
Communication Analysis and Practice (CAP) offers a broad-based education in communication combined with the flexibility to pursue your specific area of interest. This option provides you the opportunity to cluster electives and concentrate in a particular focus area within the communication field. Within the framework of communication and society, students can specialize in different areas including public opinion and media effects, relational and health communication, and communication and advocacy. Courses in CAP emphasize the analysis of different types of data, messages and communication practices.
The broad array of offerings in CAP includes three thematic clusters, provided to offer students some direction:
Public Opinion and Media Effects provides students with extensive study of audience analysis, and the role of media in public opinion, politics and public affairs. In addition, students will be trained in various research techniques for analyzing audiences and media effects.
Relational and Health Communication lets students acquire effective communication skills to be successful in interpersonal contexts, small groups, and the public. Other courses in this area focus on communication in specific contexts such as physician-patient settings, family situations, and small groups within organizations.
Persuasion and Advocacy courses provide an understanding of processes of persuasion and influence that can bring about social change.
Students are not restricted to courses within a single thematic cluster, but encouraged to choose courses from within and between clusters to fit their career goals. The Communication Analysis and Practice program offers excellent preparation for graduate school or law school, or a career as a communication specialist in a health or political organization.
