Majors & Minors

Communication Studies

You’ll journey through the history, theory, philosophy and ethics of communications acquiring along the way a deep understanding of its impact on our society. Our critical inquiry into the relational, rhetorical, social, cultural and ideological functions of language, performance and media, opens the door to a multitude of career options in our media-driven world.

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Lamiyah Bahrainwala

Lamiyah Bahrainwala

Associate Professor of Communication Studies & Chair

Lamiyah Bahrainwala

Lamiyah Bahrainwala

Associate Professor of Communication Studies & Chair

Communication Studies
Communication Studies

How do we send messages between one place and another, through some medium of communication? How does the use of different mediums—radio, television, the Internet—affect the way we communicate? How do institutions, maintain and disseminate information over time? These questions, and many others, lie at the heart of the Southwestern Communication Studies Department’s approach.

Through the Department’s multifaceted curriculum , our faculty  provides an intimate learning experience, focusing on the myriad ways that communication, culture and identity intersect and define each other. 

Through this rich combination of modes of thinking and analysis, the Communication Studies Department provides you with a strong critical and theoretical understanding of the ways in which our social reality is constructed and challenged through communication patterns and practices.



AFTER SOUTHWESTERN

Featured Alumni Stories

Terrenee Knight ’07

Pirate Confidential: Terrenee Knight ’07 Reflects on Her Southwestern Experience

Amazing opportunities and an expansive support network were hallmarks of Terrenee Knight’s experience at Southwestern from 2003-2007.

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The outreach project Wander Like Water was born: the Houstons would produce videos for YouTube and social media in which they would showcase not just their travels but also educate viewers about how each water source they’d visit “has a story, an issue, or a threat.”

Wander Like Water

Southwestern alumni adventurers raise awareness about water and educate the public about sustainability.

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Jessica E. Hager ’08 | Distinguished Young Alumna

Jessica E. Hager ’08

Distinguished Young Alumna

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EXPLORE SOUTHWESTERN

Communication Studies News

A recent image Barron photographed of Southwestern’s new arch and Fondren-Jones Science Center.

Two Southwestern Seniors to Study Abroad this Summer After Earning Prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships

Seniors Nia Cannon ’26 and Sumaya Moshiur ’26 have been named recipients of the U.S. State Department’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, providing funds for them to study abroad this summer.

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Southwestern’s Largest Research and Creative Works Symposium in Years is Set to Showcase Student Success at its Best

Among the nearly 300 Southwestern students presenting at this year’s annual celebration of undergraduate research and creativity, the back-to-back King Creativity Fund winners will be sharing their most recent success project.

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Southwestern University

Southwestern Students Alexandria Glenn ’26 and Zaria Renfro ’28 Earn Prestigious Gilman Scholarships for Summer Study Abroad Experiences

Glenn will study language and culture in Rome with IES Abroad while Renfro will travel to three countries with the SU European Cultural Explorations program.

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