Faculty

Chairperson and Graduate Program Coordinator: Professor Arthur Lizie

Professors: Jabbar Al-Obaidi, Joel Litvin

Associate Professors: Jason Edwards, Bjorn Ingvoldstad, Susan Miskelly, Nancy Owens

Assistant Professors: Jessica Birthisel, Teri Del Rosso, Maria Hegbloom, Melanie McNaughton, Thomasena Shaw, Yongjun Shin, Hui Zhang

Department Telephone Number: 508.531.1348
Location: Maxwell Library, Room 215
Website: www.bridgew.edu/comm

Degree Program

• BA in Communication Studies
  Concentrations: Communication and Culture; Film, Video and Media Studies; Strategic Communication

Undergraduate Minors

• Communication Studies
• Film Studies*
• Public Relations*

* Interdisciplinary minor

The following program is currently inactive:

• Master of Arts in Teaching Speech Communication and Theater

Click on Academic Programs  for program information and requirements.

The Department of Communication Studies is committed to providing excellent undergraduate programs for students at Bridgewater State University. The department offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication Studies. It provides students with a broadly based liberal arts grounding in history, structure, process, culture, social application and functions of human communication, and with the competencies required for effective communication in the 21^st century. It also supports an integrated model of learning, relaxing the rigid boundaries between academic requirements, professional training and the liberal arts.

In addition, the Department of Communication Studies endeavors to:

• foster the student’s ability to integrate critical, theoretical and ethical perspectives in the field of communication and apply them to their professional, personal and civic lives.
• train students in analytical and critical thought, in oral exposition and argument in the literature of communication and in the research that supports it.
• provide through theoretical perspectives and practical experience, rich opportunities and preparation for careers in communication and media, for work in other fields for which communication is pivotal for success and for advanced study in communication.

Bachelor of Arts

The Department of Communication Studies strives to educate the residents of the region in the matter and practices of the field of communication and media with the following concentrations:

• Communication and Culture
• Film, Video, and Media Studies 
• Strategic Communication

Educator Licensure

Students interested in seeking Massachusetts teacher licensure should refer to the following department links for specific teacher licensure and program requirements: Elementary and Early Childhood Education  or Special Education  for students double majoring in elementary education, early childhood education or special education; or Secondary Education and Professional Programs  for students minoring in secondary education (high school, middle school or PreK-12 specialist).

Honors Program

The honors program in Communication Studies provides highly motivated communication studies majors with opportunities to enhance their academic program through intensive scholarly study and research designed to be of assistance in postgraduate employment or in the pursuit of an advanced degree in communication studies. Contact the Honors Program Director, Melanie McNaughton (melanie.mcnaughton@bridgew.edu) for further information concerning eligibility and application.