The Department of Communication teaches about the nature and effects of communication on the individual, social groups and society.  We emphasize theories about communication processes that involve messages, meanings and media.  We also investigate a variety of ways in which communication is practiced in everyday life and the choices about communication that affect individuals and their situation. 

The instructors of the Department seek to generate an appreciation for the centrality of communication in people's lives.  The Department aims to help students learn about analytic frameworks which can further their intellectual development as well provide them with guidelines for practical application.  

Faculty research and scholarship in the Department of Communication focuses on three interrelated core areas:

• Social Interaction
• Mediated Communication
• Organizational Communication

Problem-oriented research includes contemporary topics such as Health, Gender, Globalization, Identity and Policy. The Department also supports the Center for Communication and Health Issues Partnership for Education and Research (http://commhealthissues.rutgers.edu/), the Center for Organizational Development and Leadership (http://www.odl.rutgers.edu/), and the Center for Mobile Communication Studies (http://comminfo.rutgers.edu/ci/cmcs/).

The faculty’s research has been recognized for its impact on scholarship nationally.  Thomson Scientific ranked U.S. institutions that published at least 75 papers between 2002 and 2006 in communication journals they index, and found that the Rutgers Department of Communication placed #1 in the country.  The details of this study are at http://in-cites.com/research/2007/december_3_2007-2.html.

Vision

The members of the Department of Communication perform at the highest levels in research, teaching and community service, and are encouraged to find creative ways to achieve these levels. The atmosphere within the Department is one of mutual respect and courtesy. Members of the Department seek opportunities for professional and personal growth for themselves and also for their colleagues.  The Department is committed to:

• Being recognized as especially outstanding in four dimensions: professional autonomy, individual responsibility, academic excellence and collegial support.
• Functioning as a highly consequential hub of intellectual activity and public service.
• Handling administrative procedures responsibly, efficiently and effectively.
• Achieving high positive visibility across Rutgers and beyond, especially among peer institutions.
• Pioneering creative ideas to enhance the educational enterprise and to include students in the rich tapestry of intellectual life.

Mission

The Department of Communication teaches about the nature and effects of communication on the individual, social groups and society.  We emphasize theories about communication processes that involve messages, meanings and media.  We also investigate a variety of ways in which communication is practiced in everyday life and the choices about communication that affect individuals and their situation.

The instructors of the Department seek to generate an appreciation for the centrality of communication in people's lives.  The Department aims to help students learn about analytic frameworks that can further their intellectual development as well provide them with guidelines for practical application.

Undergraduate Teaching/Learning Goals 

The Department of Communication would like graduates from the undergraduate program to be able to demonstrate:

• Understanding of fundamental communication perspectives, theories and concepts.
• Ability to use communication theories and concepts to analyze human behavior (including interpersonal, family, group, health, organizational, or mediated settings).
• Proficiency in gathering and using evidence to study and understand communication processes and consequences (including asking questions and systematically attempting to answer them, as well as understanding the value and limitations of research processes and conclusions).
• Competency in written, oral, mediated (e.g., email, text messaging), and visual communication for varied purposes (including acknowledgement, apology, clarification, description, explanation, persuasion, request), in varied styles (including technical, formal, casual, intimate), and in varied settings (including academic, business, civic, institutional, relational, ritual).
• Ability to apply communication theories and concepts to social, professional, and civic life (including issues of diversity, ethics and civic engagement).