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Frequently Asked Questions About Components

1. What are components?
   Components are the department's way of tying together practical application of communication theory. In other words, they are a way of extending what you've learned in the classroom to other situations.
   
2. How many components do I need?
   If you are a first-time Bethel student who started in Fall 2001, you need to earn 6 components. If you are a level-2 or higher transfer, you need to earn 4 components.
   Starting with Fall 2002, first-time students need to earn 4 components. Level 2 or higher transfers need to earn 3 components.
   

3. How I can I earn components?
   At the present time, there are four ways in which you can earn components:

   1. Through the Bethel forensics team
   2. Through WBCS, Bethel's radio station
   3. Through IABC, our International Association of Business Communicators chapter.
   4. Through video production projects
      
4. How am I required to earn components?
   It depends whether you're a communication major or a media communication major. Media communication majors are required to earn 50% of their required components through forensics. Human communication majors have no specific distribution requirement.
   
5. Is it true that I am no longer required to earn a component in classes?
   That is up to the individual instructor. Some courses because of the way they are structured still require components to be earned. Component requirements in Persuasion, Argumentation and Debate, and Advanced Public Speaking are determined by the individual instructor.
   
6. So if I don't have to earn components in courses, does that mean that I don't have to earn components any more?
   Not true. The catalog still specifies that all majors must earn their components by the end of the Fall Semester of their senior year.
   
7. So how do I earn forensics components now that they're not necessarily required in classes?
   Please see our new Forensics component FAQ page.
   
8. So how do I earn components through the Radio Station?
   Talk to either Nick Jones (station manager), or Leah Leafblad (PR Director for the radio station).
   
9. What can I do on the radio station?
   There's lots of different things! You can have your own on-air show, work behind the scenes in production, work on sports broadcasts, work in public relations, and more! Be sure to contact Nick or Leah.
   
10. So how do I know how many components I have?
    That's easy! At the beginning of each semester, Dr. Dreher sends out a list to all majors showing how many components you have, and how many you need to earn. If you want to know at any point during the semester, contact Dr. Dreher, or one of his TA's. We'll be glad to let you know.