Communication Studies and Practices

Communication Studies and Practices

Communication Studies empowers students to become successful and mindful global citizens by engaging in effective and ethical communication. Communication Studies provides knowledge and skills that are critical for success and enrichment in our personal, professional and civic lives. The discipline of Communication focuses on how people use messages to generate and share meanings across various contexts, cultures, and media.  Known as “rhetoric” in the Western academic tradition, communication pedagogy has been a central concern of Greek, Roman, Medieval, Renaissance, Asian, Indigenous and modern culture. Today, the study and applications of communication embraces the Internet, e-commerce, mobile communications, global diplomacy, advertising, public relations, journalism, broadcasting, intercultural and interpersonal communication, as well as public speaking, digital mechanisms and media studies.  

 

Concentration in Communication Studies

In the Communication Studies concentration, an emphasis on effective communication techniques, media technology, and culture is built on a foundation of communication theory and research. 

Concentration in Strategic Communication

The concentration in Strategic Communication combines the areas of Advertising, Public Relations, Media and Marketing Communication to reflect today’s converging industries and job opportunities. Required classes focus on integration of Advertising, Public Relations, Media and Marketing Communications while providing students the flexibility to tailor their degree to fit their career interests. 

Hands-On Experience

The Department of Communication (DOC) Internship program is one of the flagship areas of the department, where students can apply what they learn in the classroom to actual problems faced by real organizations and businesses. In COM 3950, Communication Practicum, students select internships in any area of communication including advertising, corporate communication, journalism, public relations, social media, or multimedia communication. 

 

The Communication Studies and Practices major at Hawai’i Pacific University is a comprehensive program of study that develops the skills and confidence necessary to present ideas in various formats in a variety of situations. The Department of Communication and Media seeks to create an integrated environment for the study and production of communication and media content in both personal and commercial use. Our students study how to communicate effectively, ethically, across multiple platforms and with people from diverse backgrounds.  The program provides a rigorous curriculum in a stimulating environment that addresses the history, theories, mechanisms and techniques of communication.

Furthermore, students learn techniques and mechanisms for decoding both the ubiquitous messages of our mediated environment and other culturally specific articulations. In addition, students gain experience and skills in research, analytics and critical thinking, problem-solving, writing, speaking, and teamwork. Students will demonstrate dynamic, effective, and persuasive oral communication skills and be able to write clearly, concisely, correctly, and in an appropriate style for the communication objective. Students will be able to employ appropriate research techniques and analyze, interpret, and present data effectively, while demonstrating an appreciation of the global diversity of communication and its impact in the world.

HPU’s ideal location at the hub of the economically vibrant Pacific Rim means outstanding cooperative education, internship and career opportunities. Students have found careers and internships with a wide variety of companies and organizations both in Hawai‘i and around the globe. Students studying in Hawai‘i are uniquely posed to examine emerging and flourishing Asian markets.

Students who major in Communication Studies and Practices will:

  • Demonstrate proficient academic writing skill, including careful control of Standard Written English and the ability to effectively, clearly, and persuasively communicate perspective and analysis.
  • Demonstrate oral communication competency in a variety of contexts.
  • Be able to both identify and articulate information needs, and to deploy the most appropriate materials and strategies to ethically address those needs
  • Demonstrate skills in quantitative analyses, being able to interpret, compute, and utilize statistics.

Students who major in Communication Studies & Practices with a concentration in Communication Studies will also

  • Demonstrate understanding of Communication theories and the ability to apply them to communication situations and media artifacts.

Students who major in Communication Studies & Practices with a concentration in Strategic Communication will also be able to:  

  • Build integrated strategic communication programs in business, professional, and social environments, including; research and planning, rationale, and campaign implementation techniques.
  • Produce a professional, entry-level Strategic Communication portfolio.
  • Apply First Amendment, copyright, and contract laws in Strategic Communication situations.
  • Build a foundation for lifelong learning and advanced education in Strategic Communication

  • Application
  • Transcripts
  • Personal Statement
  • $45 Application Fee
  • SAT I or ACT Scores (freshman only)
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Resume

(Revised June 5, 2020. Disclaimer: Classes may be cancelled due to low enrollment.)

FALL 2020

SPRING  2021

LOWER DIVISION:

COM 1000 – Intro to Communication Skills

COM 2000 - Public Speaking

COM 2500 Sex and Gender in Communication Contexts

COM 2640 Argumentation and Debate

MC 1000 Mass Media Today

MC 2100- Mass Communication Research

MULT 1050- Point, Shoot, Edit
MULT 1100 - Foundations of Multimedia Production 

UPPER DIVISION:
COM 3300 – Intercultural Communication
COM 3500 – Technical Communication
COM 3900 – Communication Theory COM 3950 – Communication Practicum
MC 3120   –   Writing for Digital Media

MC 3730  – New Media Strategies & Sales

MC 3750 – Special Events Planning

LOWER DIVISION:

COM 1000 – Intro to Communication Skills

COM 2000 - Public Speaking

COM 2500 Sex and Gender in Communication Contexts

MC 2200- First Amend. and Intellectual Property Law

MULT 1050- Point, Shoot, Edit
MULT 1100 - Foundations of Multimedia Production 

UPPER DIVISION:

COM 3000  – Mass Media 
COM 3320  – Persuasion
COM 3440 – Advanced Public Speaking

COM 3500 – Technical Communication
COM 3950 – Communication Practicum

MC  3300  –   Social Media

MC  3700  –   Creativity and Copy Writing

MC 3720  –  Audience Behavior

CAPSTONE:
COM 4900 – Seminar in Communication Criticism

MC 4900 –  Capstone Experience

FALL 2021, 2022

SPRING 2022, 2023

LOWER DIVISION:

COM 1000 – Intro to Communication Skills

COM 2000 - Public Speaking

COM 2500 Sex and Gender in Communication Contexts

COM 2640 Argumentation and Debate

MC 1000  Mass Media Today

MC 2100- Mass Communication Research

MULT 1050- Point, Shoot, Edit
MULT 1100 - Foundations of Multimedia Production 

UPPER DIVISION:
COM 3300 – Intercultural Communication
COM 3500 – Technical Communication
COM 3900 – Communication Theory

COM 3910 or 3xxx  (UD elective)

COM 3950 – Communication Practicum
MC 3120   –   Writing for Digital Media

MC 3730  – New Media Strategies & Sales

MC 3750 – Special Events Planning

MC 3740 or 3910 (UD elective)

LOWER DIVISION:

COM 1000 – Intro to Communication Skills

COM 2000 - Public Speaking

COM 2500 Sex and Gender in Communication Contexts

MC 2200- First Amend. and Intellectual Property Law

MULT 1050- Point, Shoot, Edit
MULT 1100 - Foundations of Multimedia Production 

UPPER DIVISION:

COM 3000  – Mass Media 
COM 3320  – Persuasion
COM 3440 – Advanced Public Speaking

COM 3500 – Technical Communication

COM 3910 or 3xxx  (UD elective)

COM 3950 – Communication Practicum

MC  3300  –   Social Media

MC  3700  –   Creativity and Copy Writing

MC 3720  –  Audience Behavior

CAPSTONE:
COM 4900 – Seminar in Communication Criticism

MC 4900 –  Capstone Experience

MINORS IN COMMUNICATION

  • Communication Studies

  • Global Communication

  • Media Studies

  • Multimedia

  • Screenwriting
  • Speech Communication

The Department of Communication offers many clubs to students within specific fields.

  • Akamai Advertising
  • Debate Society
  • Lambda Phi Eta
  • Polyglot Toastmasters
  • PRSSA

And don't forget to join us on the following platforms: