About Our Department

The Department of Communication examines human message systems, focusing particularly on the ways in which human beings create, exchange, and are affected by messages.  We have particular research expertise in four areas: (a) Interpersonal communication: How do individuals exchange messages in interpersonally, and what are the consequences of language and nonverbal communication for social relationships?  (b) Mass communication: What is the content of mass mediated messages, how do they influence their recipients, and how does media policy shape this process? (c) Health communication: What are the consequences of messages for health behaviors, and how can more effective...