Communication

Office: 326 McEwen Hall

(716) 673-3410

Kathleen McDonough, Chairperson

Email: communication.department@fredonia.edu

Website: http://www.fredonia.edu/department/communication/

Communication relates to how individuals, groups, organizations, societies, and cultures may establish humane and productive relationships in expressing needs, mediating problems, and pursuing goals. It is one of the oldest areas of academic study and, because of the transformation of personal and social life by the growth of media technologies, a central discipline. Students approach processes, practices and distortions involved in human communication from a critical perspective, and integrate application and theory throughout the curriculum.

The Department of Communication offers majors in Audio Production, Communication Studies, Journalism, Media Management, Public Relations, and Video Production. The department also offers a minor in Communication.

Graduates of the program have successful careers in corporate and public settings and working in media at all levels. Communication students have also continued their education in graduate programs and law schools around the country. Students are encouraged to supplement their academic work with participation in applied activities, including the Sheldon Multimedia Computer Lab, the campus radio stations (WCVF FM and WDVL Cable/FM), the campus television station (WNYF-TV), the campus newspaper (The Leader), the Applied Communication Association (ACA) which provides communication services to the community, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), and off-campus internships.

The department offers several awards and scholarships including the Louis C. and S. David Adler Scholarship, the Anne Bernstein Memorial Award, the Edward S. Edelman Scholarship, the Anthony J. Ellis Scholarship, the Arthur R. Maytum Scholarship, the Dan Berggren Excellence in Audio/Radio Scholarship and the Arlie Muller Parks Scholarship.

Internal Transfers: Students seeking to transfer into the Department of Communication from another department must have a 2.5 or above cumulative grade point average (GPA) to be eligible. If the student’s GPA is 3.0 or greater, he/she will be automatically admitted. If the GPA is below 3.0 (but 2.5 or higher), the student must successfully complete a minimum of six credits of Fredonia Communication course work in their desired major. Grades in each COMM course must be C or above and the cumulative GPA in COMM courses must be above 2.5. Unless taken at another university, COMM 101- Fundamentals of Communication must be one of the above courses completed. An internal application form (available from the department office) must be completed and returned to the office in order for the application request to be processed.