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Bethel Focus
A Magazine of Bethel University
Communication & Media Studies Upgrades
Faculty member Kevin
McAnnany supervises web-
streamed WBCS radio and a
video club.
In addition to fielding a national champion forensics team, the Communication Studies Department in the College of Arts & Sciences has gained strength recently in other significant ways:
Revamped curriculum and choice of majors
Instead of a broad major, students in the Communication Studies program will have a choice of emphasis in Relational Studies, Rhetorical Studies, or Organizational Communication. The Media Communication major is also seeing changes with an emphasis available in either Media Production or Media Criticism.
"The goal of our changes is to enhance our students' writing, speaking, and critical thinking abilities in a context that allows them to integrate their knowledge of communication with their faith," says Michael Dreher, Department of Communication chair.
Here are the differences among the new tracks.
Relational Studies—A study of the intricacies of human communication, whether interpersonal, small group, organization, or family.
Rhetorical Studies—Focuses on how communication is applied to the public sphere in areas such as political communication and public address.
Organizational Communication—Relates to communication within and between organizations.
Media Production—Students will not only learn the basics of audio and video production but also how media interacts with culture.
Media Criticism—Designed to help students thoughtfully reflect on the kinds of messages produced in our culture and why certain messages and media are effective.
Stronger journalism electives
The Department of English is also offering a variety of courses that mesh well with communication. Last fall a Journalism major was unveiled and new electives are available this fall within the program.
They include community journalism, advocacy journalism, web journalism, and broadcast journalism. These were added to meet the demand for writers in an ever-changing media world that includes the internet and broadcast outlets.
"We want our students to have a strong sense of what their call is as Christians in their field of journalism," says Phyllis Alsdurf, assistant professor of English. "We want to make sure they have solid training in journalistic writing to be prepared for a variety of careers."
Journalism faculty have organized a groundbreaking national conference at Bethel for students and working journalists this fall.
Added instruction in video and film production
Artie Terry, an
award-winning
screenwriter, multi-
media producer,
critic, and online
novelist, is the
newest addition to
the Communication
Studies faculty.
Changes abound this year in video and film production. The latest technology includes a revamped digital audio and video studio as well as a new production board for the radio station. At the same time, theories of communication will dovetail with the new equipment.
One of the first additions students will notice is Artie Terry, who has taught media production for 11 years at Wheaton College. Terry is an award-winning screenwriter, multi-media producer, critic, online novelist, and authority in African American film as well as in media education. Terry will team with adjunct professor Kevin McAnnany to teach students the latest concepts and techniques in video.
"With the combined experience that Kevin and I have, we'll be able to bring different perspectives to the art of storytelling," Terry observes. "We'll both be able to educate students on how to use new technology to enhance storytelling."
McAnnany would like to see his video club, formed last year, become as successful as the radio program that produces news every hour during the year.
"The students run the video club as if they were their own production company," McAnnany notes.
Both Terry and McAnnany plan for students to bring their work into the community more this year via screenings and entries into contests.
Leading faculty
Bethel continues to provide first-class faculty in the Communication Studies Department. Scott Sochay and Nancy Eckstein are examples.
Sochay, associate professor of communication studies and a member of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indian, is authoring a book for Polity Press called Native Americans in the Media. The book is scheduled to be published by early 2008 as part of a series on minority groups and media portrayal. Sochay has been able to use his experiences in the publishing world as real-life examples for his media law class.
"We cover copyright in that class and I brought in my contract for the book," Sochay says. "The students love getting that real world information in the classroom."
Eckstein, associate professor of communication studies, is making an impact as second vice president of the Central States Communication Association (CSCA). In two years, she will take over as president.
CSCA is a large professional academic organization of communication teachers from secular and faith-based colleges and universities in 13 Midwestern states. Eckstein does a great deal of work in planning conferences for the organization.
"I've done so much networking through this organization," Eckstein says. "It's been a great tool for my students because I know professors around the country who can help them on any given topic."
Research involving students
Curriculum includes a Research Methods class, where students are required to do an in-depth project.
In recent years Bethel students have presented their papers at various conferences, and the work has helped several compete for places in prestigious graduate schools.
Faith Kroeker '06, majored in both Communication Studies and Third World Studies. She employed both of her passions to write a paper critiquing foreign policy on Africa. Thanks to the strengths Kroeker gained from the assignment and her high grades, she earned a scholarship to Denver University.
"The Communications Studies Department has really prepared me for what I want to do," Kroeker said.
B.A. and M.A. degrees for working adults
Bethel also offers a bachelors in Communication Studies through the College of Adult & Professional Studies; and a graduate degree in Communication through the Graduate School.
Both programs have a strong cross-cultural emphasis, examining worldwide media trends in technology, economics, politics, and religion. One-third of the courses are entirely online. The undergraduate program can be paired with five different minors—a unique feature that allows learners to apply their studies to a specific career. The master's degree includes a five-credit field experience in subjects such as communication and art, bio-technology, entrepreneurship, ministry, music, politics, and public relations. International field experiences are also available.
For more information on the Communication Studies programs at Bethel, contact 651-638-6400.