B.S. in Professional Studies – Communication Studies

Examines from a Christian perspective, foundational leadership behaviors required of leaders within organization.  Students will learn leadership theories and styles of communication, and develop strategies for implementing effective oral and written leadership communications in businesses and organizations.

Introduction to the principles and procedures of competent interpersonal communication in the context of ethnicity and culture.  Attention is given to people as bearers of culture and to the application of theory and research to real-life communication situations.

Principles and skills of writing in professional contexts, including correspondence, researched reports, proposals, and portfolios.  Prerequisite: ENGL 102 or ENGL 110.

Computer systems, networks, databases, intellectual property, computer security, artificial intelligence, legal and ethical considerations, codes of conduct, privacy, computer crimes, and the future of computing and the Internet and their relationship to the business world.

Exploration of expectancy, leader-member exchange (LMX), transactional, transformational, servant leadership and other theories, including foundational leadership principles and concepts.

The influence of virtual teams on leadership effectiveness; the development of interactive and dynamic groups in virtual and face-to-face environments. Prerequisite: LDST 201.

The concepts, theories, and current practice regarding organizational structures and their development, the dynamics of individual and collective behavior within organizations; human interaction within organizations to foster and manage change. Emphasis on the role of leadership and cultural values. Prerequisite: Junior standing and prior management or leadership coursework.

Management language, concepts, models, and basic principles of management. Explore interrelated functions (planning, controlling, organizing, leading) of the management process.

Study of the nature of ethical leadership through a consideration of the ethical foundations of leadership principles evident in the lives of great leaders. Attention to how the leader’s values and beliefs affect decision-making along with the key factors involved in ethical decision-making. Students assess and apply the concepts of organizational and social responsibility by looking at real world problems. Cross-listed with LDST 330.