Department of Humanities and Communication

Humanistic Intelligence in a STEM World

The Department of Humanities and Communication equips students with the critical thinking, communication, and cultural literacy skills essential for success in high-tech industries. Grounded in the philosophy of "Humanistic Intelligence in a STEM World," the department integrates humanities-based inquiry with the demands of aviation, aerospace, and emerging technologies, ensuring that students develop the strategic, ethical, and analytical abilities to navigate and lead in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Through its general education curriculum, the department challenges students to see beyond technical problem-solving, fostering a deeper understanding of how science, business, and policy are shaped by cultural forces (and vice versa). The department’s STEM-designated B.S. in Communication offers a unique pathway for students interested in high-impact careers in aviation, technology, and crisis communication, while its minor in Humanistic STEM and its minor in Communication provide interdisciplinary learning experiences that connect technical expertise with human-centered insight.

With a growing emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital humanities, the department also leads the way in preparing students to engage with AI as both a tool and a subject of ethical inquiry. Faculty experts in composition, literature, history, communication, and ethics offer courses that push students to think critically, communicate effectively, and understand the broader implications of technology, culture, and policy.

By bridging the gap between STEM and society, the Department of Humanities and Communication ensures that students are not just technical experts — but leaders, innovators, and ethical decision-makers in an increasingly complex world.

Night Flight: Online Literary Journal

The department is home to Night Flight, an Online Literary Journal that showcases the best in original fiction and non-fiction writing, poetry, artwork, photography and videos submitted by members of the Embry-Riddle community. Night Flight is aimed at opening the door for expression. The students, faculty, and staff at Embry-Riddle are remarkable, and each has stories worth sharing. Open to submissions from across the Embry-Riddle community, Night Flight is a creative platform that will inform, entertain, and inspire.

Bachelor of Science in Communication

In an era where technology, media, and global challenges shape every industry, skilled communicators are more critical than ever. The STEM-designated Bachelor of Science in Communication (CIP code 09.0702) equips students with the expertise to bridge the gap between technical fields and the public, ensuring that complex information is communicated clearly, strategically, and with impact.

This program trains students to gather, analyze, and communicate critical information across diverse industries, from aviation and aerospace to crisis response and emerging technologies. Students develop advanced writing, visual, and digital communication skills, learning to represent information effectively across multiple platforms while engaging with key issues in media literacy, public relations, law, and communication strategy.

Students specialize in one of two high-demand areas:

• Crisis, Risk & Resilience Communication — Focuses on crisis management, emergency response, and risk communication, training students for careers in crisis communication, emergency management, and public affairs.
• Aviation, Science & Technology Communication — Prepares students for careers in public relations, technical communication, and media strategy within STEM-driven industries, including aviation, aerospace and emerging technologies.

To tailor their degree to personal interests and career goals, students can minor in complementary fields such as International Relations, Marketing, or Project Management. The program culminates in either a Senior Project or an Internship, providing real-world experience and hands-on application of strategic communication skills in high-stakes environments.

Graduates of the B.S. in Communication program leave prepared to lead in industries where communication is not just a skill but a strategic advantage.

Minor in Artificial Intelligence, Ethics and Creativity

The Artificial Intelligence, Ethics and Creativity Minor offers students a multidisciplinary exploration of the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on society, culture, research and creative endeavors. This program examines real-world applications of generative AI, AI rhetorics and cognitive science perspectives on what differentiates artificial from human intelligence. Students will also explore the ethical considerations surrounding AI use and gain practical knowledge of its research applications.

Minor in Aviation, Technology and Society

The Aviation, Technology and Society Minor offers an interdisciplinary exploration of the ways in which science, technological advancements and aviation have shaped modern society. This program examines not only the evolution of flight but also the broader historical and cultural contexts of technological innovation. Students will delve into the history of aviation in America, the development of scientific thought and the impact of communication technologies. They will also explore the portrayal of progress in aviation and science in film and media, as well as the societal implications of aerospace technology. This program will also include a study of the social, economic and political impacts of aviation technology, analyzing how advancements have changed transportation, warfare and global connectivity.

Minor in Communication

Designed for students eager to bridge the gap between science, technology and effective communication, the Communication Minor provides a strong foundation in modern communication strategies, media literacy and professional writing. Through hands-on experience and analysis of new media, students gain the skills needed to translate complex information for diverse audiences, making them invaluable assets in STEM-driven industries.

Minor in Crisis, Risk & Resilience Communication

As industries and societies face increasing uncertainty, the ability to communicate risk, manage crises and foster resilience is more critical than ever. The one-of-a-kind Crisis, Risk and Resilience Communication Minor prepares students to navigate high-stakes communication challenges, equipping them with expertise in risk assessment, crisis response, emergency management and public affairs. Students develop the ability to communicate effectively across the phases of the national preparedness cycle, while gaining insights into the historical, legal and policy foundations of crisis communication in an all-hazards, whole-community context.

Minor in Humanistic STEM

In a world driven by science and technology, critical thinking, communication and interdisciplinary problem-solving are essential. The Humanistic STEM minor provides students with the ability to think beyond academic silos, integrating perspectives from Humanities and STEM to tackle real-world challenges creatively and ethically. By developing strong analytical and communication skills, students gain a competitive edge in STEM, business and policy-driven fields, demonstrating to employers that they can navigate both technical and human dimensions of complex problems.

Minor in Science Literacy

The Science Literacy Minor trains students in identifying, understanding and evaluating academic sources and tools for use in scientific inquiry as well as in real-world applications that require defensible analysis. After a general introduction to systematic inquiry, students will learn strategies to evaluate sources, engage with academic literature and be familiarized with the conventions of scholarly literature across multiple fields as the basis of systematic inquiry based on the cumulative knowledge principle. Students will become competent in using traditional as well as technology-supported methods of deriving state-of-the-art knowledge and synthesizing multiple sources.

Minor in Space Policy, History and Culture

Offered jointly with the College of Aviation, the Space Policy, History and Culture Minor provides an interdisciplinary exploration of humanity’s evolving relationship with outer space, examining how space exploration shapes — and is shaped by — scientific, political and cultural forces. This program investigates the development of space policies and legal frameworks, the historical milestones of space exploration, and the scientific principles that underpin our understanding of the universe. Students will also analyze how literature and film reflect and influence societal aspirations, anxieties and ethical considerations about the cosmos. The curriculum fosters critical thinking, cultural literacy and an understanding of the complex interplay between space as a domain of discovery, governance and imagination.

Enroll today and get a head start on becoming the leader of tomorrow.

Research Guides

Humanities & Communication

Undergraduate Minors

Artificial Intelligence, Ethics and Creativity   |   Aviation, Technology and Society   |   Communication   |   Crisis, Risk and Resilience Communication   |   Humanistic STEM   |   Science Literacy   |   Space Policy, History and Culture