Welcome to The Department of Communication at Villanova University
The study of communication in the liberal arts tradition focuses on the understanding and use of symbols that create meaning in multiple communicative contexts. The discipline is grounded in ancient rhetorical traditions and is influenced by contemporary intellectual, artistic and technological developments. Our mission, then, is to produce well-rounded communicators who are capable of speaking and listening well, thinking critically, and writing clearly.
We strive to embody this mission in several ways. Specifically, the department is committed to an intellectual atmosphere that enhances awareness of and respect for human dignity and ethical values. These values prepare students for a changing and multicultural world. In the spirit of building collegiality and community, our faculty integrates effective teaching, research and publication, as well as service to the profession, community and the university. This fosters an environment in which students majoring in Communication are offered the opportunity to participate fully in the professional, academic and extracurricular life of the discipline.
In addition, we have embodied this mission in our unique, innovative curriculum. After an introduction to the field—via required courses in the topics, theories, and research methods central to Communication—our majors select a course of specialization for the remainder of their studies at Villanova. Students then develop their expertise in the field by taking courses that span the entire Communication field: Rhetorical Studies, Performance Studies, Interpersonal Communication, Organizational Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Media Studies, and Media Production.
The results speak for themselves: Our graduates are in top firms in public relations, advertising, and marketing; our graduates appear on the air in markets across America or work behind the scenes as producers of network news and cable programs; our graduates are onstage and backstage in theaters large and small; our graduates are enrolled in the nation’s top Communication graduate programs and law schools. Whether in corporate careers, serving their communities, or engaged in further academic study, our graduates illustrate that students of Communication are uniquely equipped to make a difference, in their lives and in the lives of others.
