Overview

Per the Villanova University Communication Department’s website, “The study of communication in the liberal arts tradition focuses on the understanding and use of symbols that create meaning in multiple communicative contexts. The discipline is grounded in ancient rhetorical traditions and is influenced by contemporary intellectual, artistic and technological developments. Our mission is to produce well-rounded communicators capable of speaking and listening well, thinking critically and writing clearly.”

For undergraduates, the Communication department offers a major in Communication, a minor in Communication, and a minor in Business Communication. Within the major, there are eight specializations: interpersonal communication, journalism, media production, media studies, organizational communication, performance studies, public relations, and rhetorical studies. They also offer a combined B.A./M.A. program.

For graduate students, the department offers an M.A. in Communication and five-course graduate certificates in Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies, Journalism and New Media, Mediated Communication, Organizational Communication and Leadership, and Public Relations and Advertising.

The Library's communication collections primarily support the research and instruction of communication students and faculty. Resource selection and retention is largely driven by faculty research interests and the curriculum. Faculty selections and course readings are prioritized.

Departments/programs/subject areas supported

The main areas of interest in communication at Villanova include: rhetorical and communication theory; critical and feminist theory; ethnography;  mass communication; cultural studies; rhetoric of social movements, social protest, and social justice; public space and public sphere studies; African-American rhetoric; performance studies, including ASL poetics and deaf culture, African-American Performance, and performance and advocacy; film and media studies; film direction and production; screenwriting; documentary filmmaking; journalism; organizational communication, including health and business communication; public relations; advertising; team-building & leadership; interpersonal communication; intercultural communication; conflict management and resolution; intergroup dialogue; identity development; visual communication; civic engagement; and popular culture.

Resources Collected

NOTE: Electronic format is preferred for all Library holdings unless otherwise noted.

  • Scholarly monographs in electronic and print format (academic and trade press preferred)
  • Academic journals in electronic format (peer-reviewed preferred)
  • Academic databases in the social sciences

Resources and materials collected selectively or by request:

  • Audiovisual materials
  • Academic journals in print format (only if electronic is unavailable)
  • Reference data, handbooks, dictionaries, and other material (electronic strongly preferred) 
  • Conference proceedings (selectively)

Resources not collected:

  • Microform
  • Non-Villanova theses and dissertations
  • Ephemera
  • Preprints
  • Print government documents
  • Software manuals
  • Instructor’s materials
  • Juvenile works

Collaborations within the library

As a highly interdisciplinary field, Communication has crossover and collaboration with Business & Economics, Education, English, Global Interdisciplinary Studies (particularly Gender and Women’s Studies,) History, Political Science, Sociology, and Theatre.

Subject Librarian

Nicole Daly

Date

Last revised: 8/1/2022