COMMUNICATION CORE

Take the following courses:

CM-130 Introduction to Human Communication

Surveys the fundamental tenets of human communication through application. This course is concerned with how and why we speak, listen, respond, and strategize through the uses of verbal and nonverbal symbol systems.

3 CreditsS 

CM-132 Message Analysis

The study of rhetoric investigates the art of persuasion. The course introduces the basic rhetorical concepts and language we need to make sense of the sea of messages we swim in. The course aims to sharpen your ability to reason, reflect, send, perceive and discern messages in a variety of contexts. Upon completion of this course students understand several humanistic perspectives toward communication and are able to apply the basic tools of rhetorical analysis. Students have an increased awareness of the ways in which our symbolic behaviors shape our social lives.

3 CreditsH, CS 

CM-133 Mass Media and Society

An examination of the convergence of mass media (print, radio, television, sound, film, and internet) which serve our most common public interests. The focus is on the four primary functions to inform, to entertain, to persuade, and to transmit culture. Students have a better understanding of the tension between media as business and its social responsibility to its citizens. This course is not open to seniors.

3 CreditsH, CS

CM-200 Art of Public Speaking

Seeks to develop and improve fundamental principles and methods of selecting, organizing, developing, and communicating a line of reasoning and evidence for constructive influence in speaking situations. Students make three formal presentations, analyze messages, and improve their listening skills

3 CreditsCS, HPrerequisites: Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing.

CM-220 Group Communication

This course is designed to improve communication with others in small group task and problem-solving situations. Working with a community partner students propose, plan and carry out a service project. We explore ways of developing communication strategies for group decision making, for leadership, and for managing interpersonal conflict, as well as presentations skills. This course takes a balanced approach to understanding and using communication theories, as well as offering practical experience using those skills for working in small groups. By the end of the semester students understand the group experience in terms of shared leadership of working cooperatively with diverse group members; and the necessity for ethical choices.

4 CreditsH, CS, SW-LEPrerequisite: CM-130 or CM-132 or CM-133. Pre- or Co-Requisite: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109.

CM-230 Interpersonal Communication

Introduces students to the various theories and styles of one-on-one communication. It emphasizes the transactional approach in the study of the communication process as it occurs in interpersonal relationships. It explores interaction as a way by which we come to know ourselves and each other.

3 CreditsH, CSPrerequisites: CM130

CM-340 Intercultural Communication

This course examines symbolic patterns of communication as they relate to issues of diversity. Interactive skills needed to open channels of communication between and among people of diverse backgrounds are analyzed and developed. A multi-cultural approach to the study of human communication serves as a basis for exploring issues of diversity that include but are not limited to race, gender, class, ability, orientation, religion and ethnicity.

3 CreditsH, I, SW-GEPrerequisite or Corequisite: FYC-101

CM-365 Organizational Communication

Examines the strategic uses of communication by individuals in organizations and by organizations as a whole in the pursuit of organizational goals. Provides students with a theoretical vocabulary to analyze communication in organizational settings in order to understand processes such as social networks, leadership, and power. Focuses on personal and organizational ethics in work place communication.

3 CreditsH, S, CWPrerequisites: CM130 and CM230 and CM220.

CM-400A Health Communication

Explores how communication functions to promote health, the important role of information in health care, the development of communication campaigns to promote health awareness, alternative and multicultural approaches to health care, the promotion of ethical health communication, and the use of new health communication technologies.

3 CreditsHPrerequisites: CM130 and CM230.


BIOLOGY CORE

Take one of the following courses:

BI-190 Human Biology

Course is a non-majors approach to the basic chemistry and biology of the human body, as well as how humans fit into society and environment. Emphasis will be on applying scientific process tocurrent health topics. Course required for the Social Work POE and included in the Genomics Certificate and Rural Poverty Studies secondary emphasis.

3 CreditsN, WK-SP,CTGESPre- or Co-requisite: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109

BI-290 Nutrition

This course covers basic principles and facts about nutrition, explores the role of nutrition in human health, and considers a range of societal and political issues surrounding food and nutrition in the U.S. and abroad. (WK: Scientific Process).

3 CreditsN, WK-SPPrerequisite FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109


INTERDISCIPLINARY CORE 

Take the following courses:

BI-270  Infectious Disease & Society

This course focuses primarily on the impact of ten human infectious diseases that have changed the world. Each disease is analyzed from five distinct perspectives: Clinical, Historical, Economic, Artistic, and Public Health. We also discuss genomics aspects of the infective organisms and of their human hosts. Pre- or co-requisite: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109

3 CreditsCA,N,WK-SP,CTGES

PL-235 Ethics of Health Care

This course is a seminar-style course in 'professional ethics'. It will explore the various codes, value assumptions, and dilemmas faced by those who practice the health care professions. Specific topics (or dilemmas) will be determined by each class, based upon the specific POEs of the enrolled students. 

4 CreditsH,SW-ERPre-req or co-req: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109 

PY-101 Introduction to Psychology

An overview of the content and methodology in the field. Topics such as the history of psychology, physiological psychology, learning and memory, perception, motivation, child development, personality and social foundations are considered

3 CreditsS

PY-321 Health Psychology

Course will examine empirical findings from disciplines of psychology, medicine, and public health. Course topics include research methods, stress and social support, health behavior and primary prevention, management of chronic/terminal illnesses, gender and cultural issues in health, and psychoneuroimmunology. An underlying theme will be to dispel health-related myths and fads that are so prevalent in the popular media.

4 CreditsSPrerequisites: PY-101.


Take one of the following courses:

EN-306 Creative Nonfiction Writing

An experience in creating forms of nonfiction prose ranging from analytical essay to the familiar essay to satire. First-year students need the instructor's permission to enroll.

4 CreditsH, CWPrerequisite: EN110 or EN109.

EN-311 Professional News and Feature Writing

This advanced writing course introduces students to the genres and techniques of journalism. Students will write a number of news and feature stories. The writing process involves interviewing, note taking and other forms of data gathering on campus and local news events, creating multiple story drafts and participating in peer-editing workshops: work culminates in a portfolio of stories written throughout the semester. Students need not plan to become professional media writers to benefit from the course.

4 CreditsH, CWPrerequisite: EN110 or EN109.

EN-274 Beyond Grey's Anatomy

An examination of representations of medicine in popular culture using rhetorical and cultural studies approaches. Students will study topics such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, pregnancy, and brain scans as they are represented in print, TV, and film.

3 CreditsCA, HPrerequisite: EN110 or EN109.


Take one of the following courses:

EN-315 Technical Writing

An examination of writing for the real world: as such it concentrates equally on content and practice. The course builds around various document designs and waysto present those designs in expressions appropriate to audience and purpose. While sophomores are allowed to register they may be removed from the course if the demand by upperclassmen is high.

4 CreditsH, CWPrerequisites: EN110 or EN109 and Sophomore, Junior or Senior standing.

EN-271 Public Health Writing

Focuses on health and medical writing for public audiences. The course will familiarize students with health literacy, plain language, and visual communication skills. Students will analyze and compose common genres of public health writing, including reports about health in the media, advocacy documents, science journalism articles, and public health posters.

3 CreditsH, CWPrerequisites: EN110 or EN109.


Take one of the following courses:

SO-101 Introduction to Sociology

The study of human social groups and the social processes that lead to both structural and cultural integration and differentiation primarily within contemporary American society.

3 CreditsS

AN-151  Introduction to Anthropology

Dedicated to the proposition that there are many ways of being human, all of which are adaptations to particular sets of environmental and historical conditions. Trends and highlights of the human experience, both physical and cultural, are studied from a sociocultural perspective.

3 CreditsS,I 


CAPSTONE

Complete one of the following options below (a minimum of 4 credits):

OPTION 1:

CM-490 Communication Internship

Communication students may apply their acquired skills and knowledge to on-the-job internships for a semester during their junior or senior year for a total of 9 credit hours. Television stations, radio stations, newspapers, magazines, public relations, advertising agencies and human relations in health organizations are all possible placements. You not only work as full-time members of a business team, but also evaluate and document your growth in a work journal and prepare a portfolio of presentations or publications.

2-9 Credits Corequisite: CM495. Prerequisite: Communication core and Jr. or Sr. standing.

CM-495 Communication Internship Research

In addition to the on-the-job experience provided by the internship, students are required to pursue research related to their placement. An in-depth research paper or presentation is completed during the semester. 

2-6 CreditsHCorequisite: CM490. Prerequisite: Communication core and Jr. or Sr. standing.


OPTION 2:

CM-497  Senior Thesis Seminar

Designed to serve as a capstone course for students who emphasize Communication in their POE. The students will be expected to examine communication theories and research methods relevant to a topic, theme, issue, or problem that has served as an area of special interest throughout the previous years of study. 

3-6 CreditsH, CSStudents must have Senior standing and a POE in Communication.

CM-498  Senior Thesis Research

Designed to serve as a capstone course for students who emphasize Communication in their POE. The students will be expected to examine communication theories and research methods relevant to a topic, theme, issue, or problem that has served as an area of special interest throughout the previous two years of study. 

3-6 CreditsH, CSStudents must have Senior standing and have a POE in Communication.  Prerequisite: CM-497.


RECOMMENDED NON-POE COURSES

BI-305 Biostatistics

This course deals centrally with quantitative and statistical methodology in the biological sciences. It includes experimental design and the conventions of generating, analyzing, interpreting and presenting biological data. Counts as a math course for graduate and professional school requirements.

4 CreditsN, QS, CTGESPrerequisites: BI106 or ESS100

CH-142 Integrated Chemistry Principles I

An introduction to the principles of chemistry, this course begins a two semester sequence that integrates information from all aspects of chemistry while focusing on the core principles of the relationships between energy, the structure of atoms and molecules, and atomic and molecular properties and reactivity. Topics include energy, reactions, atomic structure, elemental properties, bonding, and molecular properties.

3 CreditsNCorequisite CH143

CH-143 Integrated Chem Principles I Lab

This semester will focus on learning good laboratory practices, primarily through the quantitative analysis of compounds. The quantitative analysis of materials and an understanding of reproducibility and bias are relevant to many fields, including medical analysis or the analysis of contaminants in the environment. This course will also teach you how to keep an excellent laboratory notebook, identify safety hazards in the lab, and complete data analysis and graphing in Excel. All of these tools will serve you well in a variety of careers.

1 CreditsN, QSCH142 is a corequisite of this course. A lab fee is associated with this course.

CH-144 Integrated Chemistry Principles II

An introduction to the principles of chemistry, this course completes a two semester sequence that integrates information from all aspects of chemistry while focusing on the core principles of the relationships between energy, the structure of atoms and molecules, and atomic and molecular properties and reactivity. Topics include thermodynamics, equilibrium reactions, acid/base and redox reactions, kinetics and nuclear reactions.

3 CreditsNPrerequisite: CH-142

CH-145 Integrated Chemistry Principles II Lab

This semester will focus on learning good laboratory practices, primarily through the quantitative analysis of compounds. The quantitative analysis of materials and an understanding of reproducibility and bias are relevant to many fields, including medical analysis or the analysis of contaminants in the environment. This course will also teach you how to keep an excellent laboratory notebook, identify safety hazards in the lab, and complete data analysis and graphing in Excel. All of these tools will serve you well in a variety of careers.

1 CreditN, QSPrerequisite: CH-143. A lab fee is associated with this course.


Study Abroad with courses that will strengthen your professional interests in such areas as Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Business and Economics, Sociology/Social Work, Peace and Conflict Studies, Political Science, Psychology, and /or Philosophy.


All students with this POE must choose an advisor from the Communication Department. 


Most graduate assistants in this field require a 3.3 or higher GPA and GRE scores of at least 500 in each subcategory to be competitive for assistantships.


POE Credit Total = 64

Students must complete at least 18 credits at the 300/400-level.  Any course exception must be approved by the advisor and/or department chair.


Health Communication is the study of communication as it relates to health professionals and health education. It includes the study of provider-client interaction as well as the diffusion of health information through public health campaigns.

Related Internships And Careers (examples from former Juniata Students):
  • Healing Hands Physical Therapy, Piscataway, NJ
  • JC Blair Memorial Hospital, Huntingdon, PA
  • Morrison’s Cove, Martinsburg, PA
  • Rehabilitation Hospital, Altoona, PA
  • Tyrone Hospital, Tyrone, PA
  • WIC Program, Mount Union, PA

Careers in Health Communication
  • Health Educator
  • School Health Care Administrator
  • Medical Grants Writer
  • Hospital Director of Communication
  • Clinic Public Relations Director
  • Health Communication Analyst
  • Research Analyst
  • Medical Training Supervisor
  • Communication Manager for Federal Health Agencies
  • Health Personnel Educator
  • Medical Center Publications Editor
  • Hospice Manager
  • Drug Rehabilitationist
  • Health Care Counselor
  • Activities Director
  • Marketing Director
  • Health Facility Fund Raiser
  • Pharmaceutical Sales/Marketing

Related subjects in Communication
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Family Communication
  • Interviewing
  • Business and Professional Communication
  • Public Speaking
  • Research Methods
  • Group Communication
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Public Relations
  • Listening & Communication Ethics
  • Nonverbal Communication
  • Persuasion