Faculty spotlight
Working toward a scholarly article on the subject, Zachary Walton is undertaking a research project on the rhetorical discourse of the late Mennonite theologian John Howard Yoder this summer. He is specifically analyzing Yoder’s theory of "middle axioms," which holds that nonviolent Christians, rather than separating from the world, could attempt instead to persuade and witness to the "fallen" world by appealing to a nation-state’s highest and commonly held ideals—the middle axioms.
Study communication at Bluffton
The communication major consists of a core of courses including communication theory and ethics, interpersonal communication, public speaking, journalism, media and culture and organizational communication.
Concentration options
Students aiming at professional goals may chose to complete a concentration in:
- Organizational communication
Focusing on the dynamics and ethics of professional communication within business, nonprofit and church organizations. Areas of study include institutional power dynamics and decision-making, conflict transformation, team building and interaction with technology.
- Public relations
Training students to use ethical and effective communication strategies to cultivate healthy relationships between organizations and key publics. Students will be equipped to act as skilled advocates on behalf of their clients, careful listeners to the needs and desires of key publics and thoughtful servant communicators to all.
- Theatre
Exploring theatre through analysis, experimentation, research and production. Students receive training in acting, directing, play production, play analysis and theatre history.
If your interests fall outside one of these concentrations, we will help you tailor the major toward your specific goals. A minor may easily be added to the communication major. For instance, students interested in visual communication often complete a minor in art while students who want to work in public relations may minor in business administration.
If you want to supplement a different major with training in communication you should consider a communication minor.
Through classes, departmental activities, internships and other learning opportunities, you will be prepared for a career in print journalism, broadcast journalism, public relations, performance arts, communication consulting, church promotion, higher education, communication research, political communication, public speaking, organizational leadership and more.
Explore courses required for a:
Declare a major or minor in communication.
