Randolph-Macon College faculty recently approved a new major in communication studies.
"This new major is an excellent addition to our rigorous liberal arts curriculum,” said R-MC Provost William Franz, “which supports our mission of ‘developing the minds and character of our students,’ while providing the valuable skills necessary to build a strong foundation for their academic careers and real-life success after graduation."
This multi-faceted communication study major will require basic coursework in communication skills, communication theory and research methods. It also incorporates advanced coursework in rhetoric, mass communication (or media) and interpersonal/group communication and will include a capstone seminar. The college also offers a wealth of majors, minors and pre-professional programs such as Pre-medicine.
"As is the hallmark of an R-MC education, faculty will work with students individually to identify their areas of interest and explore opportunities to apply this major through internships and other types of experiential learning," said Ted Sheckels, the A.G. Ingram Professor of English, and Communication Studies and English professor at R-MC.
Sheckels also said that "a communication studies major prepares students for graduate school, law school, business careers and communication-related careers. It also allows students in other majors to double-major in communication studies."
Sheckels, who is also the Director of Speaking in the Higgins Academic Center and the Director of the Film Studies Program, earned his bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University and his master’s degree and Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University. A nationally-recognized expert on Commonwealth literature and political rhetoric, he is also the academic advisor of the historic Franklin Debating Society, founding editor of Margaret Atwood Studies and president of the American Association of Australian Literary Studies.
Joan Conners, associate professor of communication studies, is also integral to the new program. Conners earned her Ph.D. in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication with a minor in political psychology at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Conners is currently on sabbatical leave studying the political communication being employed in the election of 2010.
For more information about the communication studies major or minor, visit http://www.rmc.edu/Academics.aspx or contact Professor Ted Sheckels at tsheckel@rmc.edu or (804) 752-7288.