Communication Studies at Westmont
Program Review
Mission Statement
Sapientia et Eloquentia. In this centuries-old phrase promoted by Cicero, St. Augustine and others, the Department of Communication Studies finds its mission, to educate students toward the union of wisdom and eloquence, recognizing the limited impact of wisdom without eloquence and the social harm that comes from eloquence without wisdom.
- We are committed to helping students become wise analysts regarding the techniques and structures of human influence in a globally-oriented, media-saturated culture. We intend for our students to be informed by Scripture and able to draw upon resources in the historic discipline of Communication Studies.
- We are committed to helping students become eloquent in mind and heart and speech, articulate and compassionate implementers of their wisdom. We intend for our students to communicate well and to imitate Christ by practicing reconciliation.
Program Learning Outcomes
The Communication Studies mission statement emphasizes two broad goals, that students are able to:
- Analyze human symbolic activity wisely
- Demonstrate eloquent communication
Specific program learning outcomes that derive from the mission and the two broad goals are:
- Create effective and appropriate written and oral messages
- Employ communication theories, perspectives, and principles knowledgeably
Apply ethical and biblical principles and practices
Alumni Stories
Kyle Mayl ’21, double-majored in communication studies and Spanish at Westmont, where he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to teach English in Spain. He is currently a customer service specialist and an MFA candidate in poetry at Colorado State University
Amy Owens Roach ’03, is vice president of iHeartMedia’s Connections West team. She works with the country’s largest advertisers on cross-platform, custom marketing campaigns, reaching more than 243 million people each month. Amy specializes in automotive advertising, working closely with Honda and Nissan to create artist-driven marketing campaigns using iHeartMedia’s suite of assets.
Kenna Brase ’22, was selected as a Fulbright Scholar to teach English at a university in Turkey, where she built meaningful cross-cultural connections. She is now pursuing her MPhil at the University of Oxford, continuing her passion for global education and research.
Jim Roach ’00, An Emmy award winning songwriter, record producer, and owner of Santa Monica Recordings based in Los Angeles. After years of being on the road and in the studio as a multi-instrumentalist, he switched gears in 2004 to work exclusively in the recording studio. He writes and produces music for film, television, trailers and commercials and works with artists as well. From 2015-2016 he took a job as executive producer for Apple Music and Beats1 Radio with Zane Lowe.
Career Opportunities
Marketing & Sales Public Relations Journalism Law Ministry Consulting Advertising | Digital Media Event Planning Teaching International Development Mediation Film and Television Non-Profit Management |
See Career Paths for Graduates Who Studied Communication Studies at Westmont
Faculty and Staff
Opportunities Abroad
- Communication Studies Mayterm in Conflict and Reconciliation (Israel/West Bank and Northern Ireland)
- American University of Paris: Global Communication
Los Angeles Film Studies Center
Tracks & Requirements
COM 006: All students interested in Communication Studies should plan to take COM 006 (Messages, Meaning, and Culture) their first semester at Westmont (or second semester if need be). This course is required for the major and it provides an overview of many areas, theories, and concepts within the communication discipline. It also meets the General Education (GE) “Understanding Society” requirement.
If COM 006 is full, then we suggest that first year students take COM 015 (Public Speaking, which meets the Writing/Speech Intensive GE) their first semester and COM 006 in the Spring.
COM 015: Students are encouraged to take Public Speaking in their first year as it meets the Writing/Speech Intensive GE requirement and is a core course in the major.
COM 098: All students are required to take COM 098 (Research Methods in Communication) for the major, and it is a pre-requisite for several courses. We recommend you take this course early, but after you've taken COM 006. It is best to have this course completed by the end of fall semester in your second year (or sooner if you are a transfer student).
During your second year, you will want to start taking courses that interest you and meet the category requirements for the major. You will also want to look into off campus programs and plan your GE courses based on your major and off campus program plans. Your advisor will discuss your plans for completing major courses, general education courses, and off campus programs with you.
During your third year, you will take more courses that meet the category requirements for the major. You will also complete an "application for degree" with your academic advisor, which is submitted to the Registrar's office for approval.
In your senior year, you will complete a senior seminar as well as all of your other requirements for a Westmont degree. We recommend all students complete internships, in Santa Barbara, at home over the summer, or on an off-campus program.
World Cup Journalism
This summer, the United States is co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and Professors Paul Mena (Communication Studies) and Dave Wolf (Kinesiology) will guide students in examining this global sporting event through a journalistic lens.
The Stories of the World Cup summer term will take students on a journey across several host cities, where they will write compelling stories and conduct interviews with people from around the world. Students will also explore the global impact of sports and even take a PEA soccer class!
Courses Offered:
- COM-087/ENG-087 - Writing for the Media/Introduction to Journalism (option to substitute for COM-095: Special Topics): 4 units. Fulfills Writing-Intensive GE. Serves as an elective for the Communication Studies Minor and the Writing Minor.
- KNS-149 - Sociology of Movement: 2 units
- PEA-059 - Soccer: 1 unit. Fulfills Physical Education GE