Department of Communication

Mission

The Department of Communication provides students with a foundation in communication theory and practice consistent with Christian ideals.

Goals

The Department of Communication will achieve its vision by pursuing three goals:

1. Curriculum. Provide a dynamic, student-centered curriculum that promotes experiential learning and reflects academic and professional best practices.
2. Connection. Provide opportunities for students to collaborate with peers, faculty, alumni and other communication professionals around the world to broaden their worldviews and increase their professional networks.
3. Collaboration. Provide interdisciplinary degrees such as Integrated Marketing Communication and Film and Media Production.

Academic Programs

The Department of Communication offers six majors: advertising , communication studies , film and media production , integrated marketing communication , multimedia journalism , and public relations . Ten minors are also offered. Two of these are in conjunction with the Department of English to offer: film production  and film studies .

Students in the Department of Communication are encouraged to maximize practical training along with academic instruction. The following award-winning student organizations and media outlets provide hands-on learning opportunities: the University’s internet streaming and app-supported television station, HU16; the commercial FM radio station, KVHU 95.3; the noncommercial AM radio station, AM1660; the live sports production team, the Harding Sports Network; the student-run advertising agency, Pivot Creative Studio; the student newspaper, The Bison; the yearbook, The Petit Jean; the multimedia news website, The Link; and the debate and forensics teams.

Experiential Requirements

Students in all six majors must complete an internship, working 160 hours in a professional setting that corresponds to their major and future plans.

Students may attend a semester long program at the Los Angeles Film Studies Center. LAFSC is a non-accredited, faith-based program for students interested in film and is affiliated with the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU), of which Harding is a member. Students who enroll at LAFSC take four courses, three required plus one elective. Students also earn credit for their internship during this semester.

Students may pursue teacher licensure in communication and theatre through the Department of Theatre  and the Cannon-Clary College of Education .

Academic Requirements

Students must pass ENG 1110  or equivalent with a grade of C or higher before enrolling in any COMM course numbered COMM 2300 and above. MATH 1200  is recommended to satisfy the Liberal Arts requirement for mathematics.

Equipment Requirements

Students majoring in advertising, film and media production, integrated marketing communication, multimedia journalism, and public relations are expected to have access to a DSLR camera capable of video recording. For most courses, a high speed/high capacity flash drive or external hard drive is also needed to store project files. See the Department of Communication webpage for current requirements.

Faculty

Chair: Charles Bane, Ph.D.

Distinguished Professors:

Jack R. Shock, Ed.D.

Professors:

Charles Bane, Ph.D.
M. Laurie Norton Diles, Ph.D.
Jared Dockery, Ph.D.
Patrick Garner, Ph.D.
Dutch Hoggatt, Ph.D.
James E. Miller, Ph.D.

Assistant Professors:

Lori Sloan, M.B.A.

Instructors:

Noah Darnell, M.A.
April Fatula, M.S.
Bryan Lee Hudkins, M.A.

Programs

• Advertising Major (ADVR), BA
• Communication Studies Major (CMST), BA
• Film and Media Production Major (FMP), BA
• Integrated Marketing Communication Major (IMCO), BA
• Multimedia Journalism Major (MMJ), BA
• Public Relations Major (PRO), BA

• Advertising Minor
• Communication Minor
• Communication Studies Minor
• Debate Minor
• Film Production Minor
• Film Studies Minor
• Integrated Marketing Communication Minor
• Media Production Minor
• Multimedia Journalism Minor
• Public Relations Minor