Communication & Fine Arts Programs
The Department of Communication and Fine Arts offers the following majors and minors:
Communication
The major in Communication consists of two tracks: Human Communication or Mass Communication (including journalism). The former contains courses such as Health Communication, Organizational Communication, Rhetorical Criticism and Listening for Personal and Professional Success. Mass Communication includes subjects such as feature writing, editing and design, public relations and advertising.
Business Communication
The Business Communication major is an interdisciplinary major that draws courses from the departments of communication, English and the Helzberg School of Management. Students take communication courses, but also courses in marketing, economics, accounting and finance, as well as upper-division English or journalism courses in business writing, technical writing and writing for the marketplace.
International Journalism
International Journalism is an interdisciplinary program drawing from coursework in French or Spanish, and journalism. Students in the program prepare for careers not only as journalists, but also as professionals with knowledge and skill to address the issues and needs of diverse communities. The department of Modern Languages and Literature can provide more information.
Journalism
The Journalism minor prepares students for entry into careers in print and electronic journalism. Students take courses in basic journalism skills such as writing and research, but also courses in mass media, advanced journalism and media theory. Students also have the opportunity to write for the university newspaper, the Rockhurst Sentinel.
Music
The Music minor offers a range of courses that provide opportunities for the study of music literature and various options for the applied study of music performance. Music literature courses emphasize an interdisciplinary approach by exploring the effects of literature, visual arts, philosophy, history and social conditions upon the creation of musical art. Students may perform in the University Chorus, Chamber Singers, and Women’s Chorale.
Theatre
The Theatre minor is committed to a broad-based, liberal arts approach that combines knowledge and experiential learning in order to develop the student’s abilities to think creatively, critically, and collaboratively. Students may take courses in acting, directing, script analysis, and theatre practicum. The Rockhurst Players present four shows per academic year.
Visual Arts
The Art minor approaches art as an essential way of expressing the human experience. The study of art introduces students to a universal human activity and to a visual language that infuses forms with meaning and affirms our common membership in one human family. Students may take courses in art history, drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics and other courses.
