WELCOME!

The field of communication, which began more than 2000 years ago with the study and teaching of public communication, has grown to include the study of nonverbal communication, forensics, oral interpretation of literature, and interviewing to name a few. All students seeking a degree from UAA are required to take at least one communication course to satisfy their general education requirement (GER). Students can choose Fundamentals of Oral Communication (111) or Public Speaking (241) to meet their GER requirement through Communication and Discourse Studies.

Students of communication develop skills essential for leadership, career development, productive citizenship, and for understanding and interpreting events of professional and public significance. They learn to reflect critically on messages, advocate their ideas, work productively in task-oriented groups, and appreciate diverse communication styles. Our students are challenged to think beyond the surface of messages to fully understand their context and meaning.

Communication and Discourse Studies is home to the award-winning Seawolf Debate Team, Alaska's only intercollegiate debate program. The program offers intercollegiate competition in public speaking and debate, as well as training for those who want to coach at the high school level. The Seawolf Debate Team also hosts the annual Cabin Fever Debates, UAA's intramural debating tournament, and the Annual Northern Lights British Parliamentary Debate Tournament which is open to all high school students.