Courses in Area A approach communication as the human process of symbolic interaction, with a focus on formulation and analysis of those interactions. Students learn how to discover, evaluate and report information, how to reason inductively and deductively, and they develop the ability to distinguish matters of fact from matters of judgment or opinion. Courses in Areas A1 and A2 emphasize the content and form of both oral and written communication in the English language, including exploration of the psychological basis and the social significance of communication, and an understanding of how language works in diverse situations. Through active participation in written and oral communication, students develop the skills necessary for effective speaking, listening, writing, and reasoning. Modes of argument, rhetorical perspectives, and an understanding of the relationship of language to logic are stressed in all Area A courses.
Students must complete a minimum of one course in each of the three subareas.
