ELC department takes first step in new communications major

By HOPE RACINE

The English, linguistics and communication department voted to approve the first step in creating a new communications major within the department.

The proposal, which was drafted over the course of this summer by several University of Mary Washington professors, was presented to the ELC department by Anand Rao, professor of communication and director of the Speaking Center, and Zach Whalen, director of the digital studies minor.

During the drafting process this summer, professors from various disciplines joined in the conversation and discussion of what the major would be, including Jeff McClurken, professor of history and special assistant to the provost for teaching, technology and innovation, and Ana Chichester, professor and director of the bachelor of liberal studies program. In addition, professors who teach various digital studies courses weighed in, as the new major would build on existing interdisciplinary courses and pull from the existing digital studies minor.

“The major proposal builds on the strengths of two programs housed in the ELC department, communication and digital studies, and includes a number of courses, both in and outside of the department, that are currently offered,” Rao said.

The major would also create three new classes, two in communication and one in digital studies.

These classes could be used for the communication major, as well as strengthen majors where communication plays an important role.

“Even if people wouldn’t want to major in communication, it would compliment other majors, like business,” sophomore international affairs major Sara Armor said.

While communication classes have always been available, many have expressed desire for a specific major. Many students have chosen to create a special major focusing on communication.

“I know people from other universities that have communication majors. I feel like it would be good for UMW to have this major and more of these classes,” sophomore business major Denise Anastasio said.

Rao is aware that many UMW students could benefit from and have expressed interest in a communication major, and said he wanted to create a platform that could make this opportunity possible.

“I think that we all recognized that this proposal provides students with a unique program opportunity that is in high demand,” Rao said. “There has long been strong student interest in communication, and UMW is known nationally for its work in teaching and learning technologies, including the Domain of One’s Own. This proposal is intended to build upon some of those strengths.”

This vote is only the first in several steps in the approval process. The College of Arts & Sciences’ Curriculum Committee will vote on the proposal next, followed by the CAS Faculty Senate, University Curriculum Committee and the University Faculty Council. If the proposal is approved by each body, the major will potentially be available as early as Fall 2015.