The purpose of the BAJBS SBS - Communication degree program is
to provide students with a liberal arts degree that emphasizes the
study of human communication processes. Communication graduates
can be found in a variety of occupations, and surveys indicate the
employers consistently place great emphasis on the need for communication
skills. In addition, the program provides a background for those
graduates who continue on for graduate training in communication,
including those who enter the MAIS degree program with an emphasis
in Communication at University of Houston- Victoria.
The communication program has the following learning objectives:
1. Learning and communication Skills
Reading and listening proficiency
Writing and speaking proficiency
Quantitative proficiency
Computer proficiency
Research proficiency
2. Thinking Ability
Ability to analyze problems or issues and their underlying assumptions
Generate and evaluate evidence
Assess the credibility of sources
Define alternative conclusions or actions and their implications
3. Intellectual Perspective
Gain a comparative, contextual understanding of the field of communication
Gain a historical perspective on the field of communication
4. Behavioral Values
Understand significance of academic and professional standards
of conduct
Develop ability to work constructively and productively with others
in undertakings of mutual significance
Develop the kind of self-assurance and habit of inquiry that will
enable them to defend the status quo, undertake creative alternatives,
or effectively express dissent.
Overall, students should gain an increased awareness and insight
into their own communication abilities (strengths and weaknesses)
and into communication processes and skills necessary for creating,
maintaining, and changing relationships (ranging from the interpersonal
to cultural).
Current assessment methods include:
Surveying and interviewing recent graduates from the communication
program.
Evaluating ExCET scores of students in the secondary education
communication program.
Reviewing the final grades of students graduating from the program.
(Note that currently this program is small enough-about 20 students-that
each student's progress toward achieving the goals of the program
can be reviewed with him/her individually).
Future assessment possibilities include:
Surveying and interviewing employers with whom communication students
serve internships (the internship program is expected to begin
in summer 1996).
Surveying and interviewing employers of former students.
Contacting the Speech Communication Association and other departments
of communication to see what assessment methods are suggested.
The information gathered in assessment is used by the faculty member
in communication to improve the offerings of the communication department.
For example, previous surveys of graduates have indicated a need
for more hands-on experience; thus an internship program has been
created. In addition, courses in public relations and public relationships
writing are being developed to help meet gaps in the program.
Review of current students' program with them provides an opportunity
to remedy gaps in knowledge and understanding in the program courses.
