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Communications

Mission statement

Department chair
Judith A. Deisler
727-816-3333
deislej at phcc dot edu

The mission of the communications department is to promote, through the study of English language and literature, skill with language, sound thinking, critical judgment, effective writing, moral discernment, creativity, independent thought, and wisdom. The department promotes the language and writing skills needed for academic and professional pursuits by offering courses in composition, creative writing, film, and literature. The Department recognizes that while writing serves as the principal form of communication between peoples, it is also an art form that gives pleasure to both reader and writer, and therefore strives to impart to students an appreciation for literature as a means of understanding the human experience. Through the study of literature, students gain insight into worlds different from their own, and they come to perceive similarities among people as well as differences determined by such circumstances as gender, race, and class. These insights foster cooperation and community, both in the classroom and in the larger world.

Our department also seeks to help students develop the communication skills essential in an increasingly diverse society. Courses in public speaking provide students practice in preparing and delivering various forms of public address, emphasizing the informative and persuasive speaking required by academic, community, and career pursuits, and guidance in developing the complementary skills of evaluative listening and critical thinking required for informed citizenship in a democracy. The complexity of the communication process and the consequent co-creation of social realities are key concepts in the curriculum as is the ideal of personal empowerment through effective public speaking.

Core values

Communications students who complete the required communications courses will:

• appreciate the beauty, power, and scope of literature and language
• write effectively and grammatically with an awareness of audience and rhetorical purpose
• think critically and analytically in response to various forms of discourse
• understand the traditions embodied in English language and literature
• demonstrate the ability to conduct extended research on both literary and non-literary topics through the use of traditional and technological tools, to integrate research into their own work, and to document these sources properly
• use language creatively for self-expression and communication
• understand language in its cultural and historical context
• appreciate communication as deeply cultured and expressive of various ways of being human
• distinguish the differing demands and expectations inherent in different public speaking situations
• realize the moral and ethical implications of communication practices
• make personal and professional choices informed by a critical understanding of communication processes
• make ethical contributions to the communities in which they live

In addition to the communication and humanities courses used to satisfy general education and Gordon Rule requirements, the humanities and communications department offers exciting electives in creative writing and literature. Our versatile faculty are continually developing courses with a strong emphasis on diversity and analytical thought and writing. An alternative method of learning is featured through our online courses created and taught by our technologically astute faculty. Also crucial to our educational philosophy of sound academic and social principles is our emphasis on information technology. Through the classroom, Teaching-Learning Center, and computer lab, our faculty facilitates learning through the Internet and academic databases.

Under the sponsorship of Karen Davis, the department along with student activities, publishes our Florida Community College Press Association award winning literary and art magazine Möbius. The magazine features poetry, fiction, art, and photography from our talented student body.

Humanities and communications faculty are currently working together with other PHCC departments toward establishing an interdisciplinary curriculum.

Faculty

Your search resulted in 18 record(s).

Name and title	Location	Contact	E-mail	Web
Amburgey, Deborah G. Professor, language arts	A127 East Campus	352-518-1206 Phone 352-518-1225 Fax	amburgd at phcc dot edu
Bell, Carmine J. Professor, language arts	G230 West Campus	727-816-3252 Phone 727-816-3321 Fax	bellc at phcc dot edu
Bellas, Elizabeth Instructor, developmental education	A130 East Campus	352-518-1278 Phone 352-518-1225 Fax	bellase at phcc dot edu
Booker, Barbara Assistant professor, language arts	G235 West Campus	727-816-3332 Phone 727-816-3321 Fax	bookerb at phcc dot edu
Borawski, Beverly L. Professor, speech	G229 West Campus	727-816-3121 Phone 727-816-3321 Fax	borawsb at phcc dot edu
Bunting, Ann Professor, language arts	G226 West Campus	727-816-3331 Phone 727-816-3321 Fax	buntina at phcc dot edu
Carson, Gary Assistant professor, speech	B120 North Campus	352-797-5118 Phone 352-797-5158 Fax	carsong at phcc dot edu
Davis, Karen S. Associate professor, language arts	G231 West Campus	727-816-3329 Phone 727-816-3321 Fax	davisk at phcc dot edu
de la Zerda, Amy Instructor, speech	C119 East Campus	352-518-1227 Phone 352-518-1225 Fax	delazea at phcc dot edu
Deisler, Judith A. (Judy) Professor, language arts/department chair, communications	G233 West Campus	727-816-3333 Phone 727-816-3321 Fax	deislej at phcc dot edu
Henton, Lois Professor, language arts	A136 North Campus	352-797-5129 Phone 352-797-5133 Fax	hentonl at phcc dot edu
LaBossiere, Jessica Instructor, English	A245 North Campus	352-797-5030 Phone 352-797-5158 Fax	labossj at phcc dot edu
Matheny, Sue Instructor, English	D113 Spring Hill Campus	352-340-4869 Phone 352-340-4968 Fax	mathens at phcc dot edu
May, Jacqueline Instructor, English	A134 East Campus	352-518-1210 Phone 352-518-1225 Fax	mayja at phcc dot edu
McKamy, Kay E. Professor, language arts	A246 North Campus	352-797-5109 Phone 352-797-5133 Fax	mckamyk at phcc dot edu
Poland, Peri Assistant professor, developmental education	S221 West Campus	727-816-3745 Phone 727-816-3321 Fax	polandp at phcc dot edu
Sweda, Ed Assistant professor, speech	D118 Spring Hill Campus	352-340-4876 Phone 352-340-4968 Fax	swedae at phcc dot edu
Vyborny, Wanda Instructor, developmental education	A135 North Campus	352-797-5113 Phone 352-797-5133 Fax	vybornw at phcc dot edu