COMMUNICATION CONCENTRATIONS
THE GENERAL CONCENTRATION
Some Communication majors may wish to focus their coursework on a particular area in the communication discipline. The five concentrations explained below provide a range of choices. However, it is important to note that It is entirely acceptable for communication majors to opt instead to pursue a general concentration. In this approach, students can sample widely and follow their own interests in selecting from departmental offerings while fulfilling the requirements of the major. Whether one selects a general concentration or one of the focal areas defined below, communication courses present a strong foundation for a Wake Forest liberal arts education.
HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND RISK COMMUNICATION CONCENTRATION
The Health, Environmental, and Risk Communication Concentration (HERC) offers a course of study that investigates how communication shapes health, environmental, and risk issues from a socio-ecological perspective. HERC classes explore the use of empirical, rhetorical, and critical/creative methods to build a more equitable, sustainable world. In these classes students investigate (1) intrapersonal processes of communication (beliefs, values, attitudes), (2) social influence factors like stigma, stereotyping, and group norms, (3) interpersonal/relational aspects ranging from family coping to patient-provider interactions, (4) public and mass media contexts such as public health crises, health/risk communication campaigns, community change programs, and integrated arts initiatives, and (5) societal discourses informing health and environmental policy. HERC concentration students have the option to obtain course credit by working with faculty and community advisers to complete community-based research, internships, and other forms of local civic engagement. Students who complete the HERC concentration will be better prepared for careers in healthcare practice, the helping professions, public health advocacy, medical and science journalism, federal agencies, and nonprofit health and environmental organizations.
INTEGRATED COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
The Integrated Communication Strategies (ICS) concentration educates students about the integration of communications in both online and offline contexts including traditional forms of mass communication such as TV, radio, print, and public speaking as well as new forms such as websites, blogs and social media. The goal is to ensure that all messages emanating from an organization or social movement are coordinated and aligned across all contexts to strengthen and focus the communication. The concentration is intended for those students wishing to pursue a career that involves positioning, defining or promoting organizations and their mission, services and products.
MEDIA STUDIES
The Media Studies concentration considers the production, interpretation, and theoretical analysis of communication that is (1) disseminated to a broad and largely anonymous audience and (2) mediated by the various technological devices that make such broad dissemination of the message possible. Production courses combine technical instruction in the use of the relevant tools with aesthetic instruction in how to use those tools most effectively. The study of the interpretation, criticism, and production of the moving image receives a special emphasis in our curriculum in a core of film studies courses. Practicum work and internship experience enhance the program to prepare students to begin a career in film and media or for further study as graduate students.
PUBLIC ADVOCACY
In line with the Wake Forest University motto, Pro Humanitate, the Public Advocacy concentration combines public speaking, debate, rhetorical theory, and public address with a focus on direct engagement with the community. This concentration prepares students to serve as leaders, practicing what they learn in class and teaching, sharing, and collaborating with others both within and outside of Wake Forest. The Public Advocacy concentration provides students with the critical thinking and communication skills necessary to advance careers and causes in multiple settings: academic, legal, political, entrepreneurial, envi-ronmental, medical, and social.
COURSE LISTINGS:
HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND RISK COMMUNICATION CONCENTRATION
Students seeking the HERC concentration must take four (4) total courses from the following list. At least 3 courses must come from the Core Group.
Core Group
270 Special Topics Seminar
- Community Narratives: Environmental Justice
- Environmental Risk Communication
355 Survey of Health Communication
356 Patient-Provider Communication
357 Health Communication Campaigns
361 Family Communication and Health across the Lifespan
364 Narrative, Communication, and Health
370 Special Topics Seminar
- Body Image and Communication
- Health Communication in Developing Countries
- Environmental Communication: Risk & Crisis
Elective Group
113 Relational Communication
270 Special Topics Seminar
- Intergroup Dialogues
- Listening to Community Stories
315 Communication and Technology
330 Communication & Conflict
336 Rhetoric of Institutions
339 Practices of Citizenship
345 Rhetoric of Science and Technology
349 Advocacy, Debate, and the Law
350 Intercultural Communication
353 Persuasion
370 Special Topics Seminar (Rotating Courses)
380 Great Teachers (rotates among concentrations)
INTEGRATED COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
Students seeking the Integrated Communication Strategies concentration must take four (4) total courses from the following list.
162 Introduction to Integrated Communication Strategies
215 Broadcast Journalism
245 Introduction to Mass Communication
250 Communication in Entrepreneurial Settings
262 Writing for Public Relations and Advertising
270 Special Topics Seminar (Rotating Courses)
- Digital and Social Media Marketing
- Sports Broadcasting
305 Communication and Ethics
308 Speech Writing
309 Visual Storytelling
315 Communication and Technology
327 Social Media Effects
334 Narrative Approaches to Communication and Entrepreneurship
335 Survey of Organizational Communication
336 Organizational Rhetoric
342 Political Communication
346 Sports, Media, and Communication
350 Intercultural Communication
353 Persuasion
354 International Communication
357 Health Communication Campaigns
362 Advanced Campaigns
363 Communication & Consumer Behavior
PUBLIC ADVOCACY
Students seeking the Public Advocacy concentration must take at least four (4) courses from the following list.
262 Writing for Public Relations & Advertising
270 Special Topic Seminar (Rotating Courses)
- Rhetorics of Activism and Advocacy
- Community Narratives: Environmental Justice
- Peer Consulting in Oral Communication
- Speaking & Listening for Understanding
270/370 – Where Are You From?
282 Debate Practicum I
283 Debate Practicum II
300 Classical Rhetoric
302 Argumentation Theory
305 Communication and Ethics
307 The Prophetic Mode in American Public Dis-course
308 Speechwriting
317 Communication and Popular Culture
334 Narrative Approaches to Entrepreneurship
335 Survey of Organizational Communication
336 Organizational Rhetoric
338 African American Rhetoric
339 Practices of Citizenship
340 Democracy, Slavery & Sex: Emancipation Discourse from the Founding to the Civil War
341 Class, Race, Sex & War: Emancipation Discourse from the Civil War to the 2nd Wave of Feminism
342 Presidential Rhetoric
344 Conspiracy Theories in American Public Discourse
345 Rhetoric of Science & Technology
346 Sport, Media, & Communication
347 Rhetoric and the Law
348 Legal Theory, Practice, and Communication
349 Advocacy, Debate, and the Law
370 Special Topics Seminar:
- Environmental Communication: Risk & Crisis
- Music and the American Voice
- Queer and Trans Rhetoric
- Rhetoric of the South
380 Great Teachers (rotates among concentrations)