Overview

The ability to communicate effectively is a marketable skill in today's world.  The strategic communication program aims to graduate articulate Christians who can critique and create effective messages for specific audiences and situations.  Choose a professional communication track or rhetoric track depending on your vocational goals.

• get training and experience in the core rhetorical faculties and skills, then choose a track and specialize your courses
• the professional communication track prepares students for jobs in advertising, public relations, fund raising and events planning
• the rhetoric track trains to student for jobs in communication consulting, law, politics, ministry and academia

Careers in Strategic Communication

• communication consultant
• lawyer
• politician
• minister
• counselor
• More

See job placement rates for Calvin grads.

Student involvement

Chimes; Calvin Public Relations organization; Worship Apprentice program.

Course Requirements 2012-13

Strategic Communication major

Professional track

(31-39 semester hours)

• One course from:
  • CAS-101 Oral Rhetoric
  • CAS-141 Visual Rhetoric
• Once course from:
• CAS-190 Intro to Video Production
• CAS-222 Calvin Media Company
• CAS-200 Advanced Oral Rhetoric
• CAS-211 Argumentation and Advocacy
• CAS-238 Theory and Communication
• CAS-262 Business Communication
• CAS-285 Advertising and Public Relations
• Two courses from:
  • CAS-201 New Media
  • CAS-240 Group Communication
  • CAS-248 Writing for the Media
  • ARTS-255 Communication Design I
  • ARTS-256 Introduction to Photography
  • ARTS-305 Communication Design II
  • media production (may choose one from the following):
    • CAS-249 Audio Design and Aesthetics
    • CAS-290 Video Production II
    • CAS-351 Advanced Media Production
  • computer science (must complete all if one is selected):
    • IS-141 Computing with Databases
    • IS-151 Computing Presentations
    • IS-153 Computing with the Internet
• CAS-305 Persuasion and Propaganda
• One course from:
  • CAS-352 Communication Ethics
  • CAS-399 Senior Seminar
• One course from:
  • CAS 300-level elective
  • CAS-346 Internship in Communication
  • approved alternative

Rhetoric track

(34-38 semester hours)

• One course from:
  • CAS-101 Oral Rhetoric
  • CAS-141 Visual Rhetoric
• CAS-200 Advanced Oral Rhetoric
• CAS-205 American Voices
• CAS-211 Argumentation and Advocacy
• CAS-238 Theory and Communication
• Two courses from:
  • CAS-240 Group Communication
  • CAS-260 Interpersonal Communication
  • CAS-270 Communication and Gender
  • CAS-318 American Politics and Mass Media
• CAS-305 Persuasion and Propaganda
• CAS-327 Rhetorical Criticism
• One course from:
  • CAS-352 Communication Ethics
  • CAS-399 Senior Seminar
• Two courses from:
  • CAS 300-level electives
  • CAS-346 Internship in Communication
  • approved alternative

     

Scholarships

Dollar amounts reflect awards given for the 2012-13 academic year.

CAS Department Mentoring Scholarship

• award amount: $1,700
• first-year
• HS GPA of 3.0+
• financial need not required; demonstrate leadership potential for the communication industry
• apply through the communication arts and sciences department by February 1

David J. Holquist Scholarship

• award amount: $1,800
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial need not required; preference to those working with victims of injustice/personal tragedy
• apply through the communication arts and sciences department

William and Matilda Monsma Scholarship

• award amount: $2,500
• sophomore, junior, or senior
• GPA 3.0+
• financial need required; preference to students from the South Chicago area
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Ann Janssen Noteboom Scholarship

• award amount: $2,100
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial need not required; show promise in oral interpretation and/or public address
• apply through the communication arts and sciences department

Kenneth and Phyllis Timmer Family Scholarship

• award amount: $2,000
• junior
• GPA 2.5+
• financial need considered; Michigan resident
• automatic consideration

View all scholarship opportunities

Faculty