The Department of Communication emphasizes the study of the nature, diversity, and impact of communication on the evolution of individuals, groups, and institutions within society. The undergraduate major in communication provides a broad, theory-based education and allows for concentration in a specific area, such as public relations, health communication, interpersonal/intercultural communication, mediated communication, organizational communication, and telecommunication processes and policies. Coursework in the department is also useful for students whose primary interests are in such fields as political science, computer science, management, psychology, English, journalism, or sociology. Courses in communication cover both ideas and applications in preparation for communication careers in business, education, or government, or for the pursuit of graduate degrees in communication and other social science fields.