Communication Studies Major (BA, BS)

Description

The Communication Studies major explores human communication in a variety of contexts, including interpersonal, professional, public, mediated, and cross-cultural settings, and examines the social influence of language. Students investigate a variety of communication practices with learning experiences in theory, history, criticism, application, and performance.

Admission to the Program

Any undergraduate student can declare a major in communication.

Program Requirements

General Education Requirements (32-35* credits)

Major Department Requirements (36 credits)

Students studying the major in communication pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree and must complete the corresponding degree’s requirements.

A student majoring in communication must complete the 15-credit required core, the 6-credit core-skills requirement, and 15 credits of electives. At least 15 of the 36 credits in communication studies must be taken at Brockport. In addition, students must complete a course of study in a disciplinary area outside the Department of Communication. Typically, students complete a minor (normally 18-21 credits) or a second major (normally 30-36 credits).

In lieu of a minor or second major in another discipline, students may elect, with department approval, a contractual program consisting of a minimum of 18 credits of courses in an area not identified as a formal minor or major at Brockport.

Students in the major must complete CMC 201 Public Speaking with a grade of “C” or higher and must complete CMC 202 Principles of Communication with a grade of “C” or higher.

Required Core (15 credits)

• CMC 201 Public Speaking*
• CMC 202 Principles of Communication
• CMC 208 Communication and Democracy
• CMC 273 Interpersonal Communication*
• ONE of these courses:
  • CMC 473 Theories of Communication
  • CMC 492 Theories of Rhetoric

Core Skills (6 credits- choose any two)

• CMC 309 Speech Composition and Presentation
• CMC 312 Argumentation and Debate
• CMC 316 Interpersonal Communication in Business & the Professions
• CMC 317 Interviewing
• CMC 415 Dynamic Speaking in Professional Contexts
• CMC 475 Communication Internship
• CMC 483 Communication Training and Development

Electives (15 credits)

For a total of five courses, complete one course from each of the following categories, Civic Engagement and Interpersonal and Professional Development. Then, complete three additional courses from either Civic Engagement or Interpersonal and Professional Development.

Civic Engagement

• CMC 319 Propaganda & Persuasion
• CMC 399 Special Topics in Communication
• CMC 411 Rhetorical Criticism
• CMC 417 Political Rhetoric
• CMC 419 Freedom of Expression
• CMC 464 Language, Culture, and Society

Interpersonal and Professional Development

• CMC 377 Organizational Communication
• CMC 399 Special Topics in Communication
• CMC 418 Intercultural Communication
• CMC 472 Group Leadership
• CMC 475: Communication Internship (application required; this course may count as an Elective only if it does not fulfill the Core-Skills Requirement)
• CMC 478 Advanced Organizational Communication
• CMC 479 Conflict Management Through Communication
• CMC 491 Social Influence

Minor Requirements (18-21 credits)

• Communication majors must complete a minor (or second major)

Electives (28-34 credits)

Total Credits (120 credits)

Additional Degree Requirements

• Communication majors must earn a grade of C or better in CMC 201
• Communication majors must earn a grade of C of better in CMC 202
• A minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in all required major courses (Major Departmental Requirements).

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Communication Major, students will be able to:

1. Speak well: Deliver an extemporaneous presentation that meets the needs of a given speaking situation and audience.
2. Integrate multiple perspectives: Integrate multiple Communication theories/concepts to analyze and recommend multiple solutions for a socially significant communication problem, case, or situation.
3. Advance quality arguments: Advance a sequence of evidence based arguments to support a given position.
4. Write well: Write clearly and at a level appropriate to a given audience.
5. Critically Evaluate: Critically evaluate a communication message using relevant theories/concepts.
6. Demonstrate influence: Demonstrate influence strategies to address relevant social problems.