Communication and Rhetorical Studies, BS

Contact

Charles E. Morris III, Department Chair
100 Sims Hall, 315-443-2308, cemorris@syr.edu

Faculty

Richard Buttny, Kathleen E. Feyh, Jake Giovanini, Lyndsay Gratch, Lynn Greenky, Diane Grimes, Rachel Hall, Anne Jakowenko, Jessica Kerley-Tanski, Amos Kiewe, Laura McArdle, Charles E. Morris III, Francis Parks, Christopher Perrello, Kendall Phillips, Whitney Phillips, Erin Rand, Amardo Rodriguez, Sylvia Sierra, Jennifer Stromer-Galley, Melissa Vaillancourt

Description

This program allows students to integrate their individual professional interests with a thorough background in communication and rhetorical studies and a selection of arts and sciences courses.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate effective and mindful listening practices in a variety of communicative contexts [Listening]

2. Ethically and effectively engage an audience through a variety of media [Performance]

3. Produce persuasive arguments on issues of contemporary concern adaptable to diverse audiences [Advocacy]

4. Describe and evaluate key communication theories [Theory]

5. Analyze communicative acts [Analysis and Criticism]

6. Recognize, analyze, and critique diversity and systems of power as manifest in self, other, and society, locally and globally [Diversity]

7. Design, execute, and write an original research project [Research]

Program Requirements

Students must complete a total of 120 credits. Of these, 36 credits must be in communication and rhetorical studies. Students must also take 54 credits in arts and sciences, including 6 credits in writing (English); 6 credits in the natural sciences and mathematics; 6 credits in the social sciences; 6 credits in the humanities, including foreign language proficiency at a 102 level (American Sign Language does not fulfill this requirement, although it can be taken as an Arts and Sciences elective); and 30 credits in areas supporting their studies in communication.

Major Requirements: 36 credits

CRS 181 - Concepts & Perspectives in Communication Studies
CRS 183 - Concepts and Perspectives in Rhetorical Studies
CRS 225 - Public Advocacy
CRS 287 - Foundations of Inquiry in Human Communication
CRS Electives (x8) 3 credits each

Academic Requirements: 6 credits

Academic Electives: 78 credits

A&S Electives (x10) 3 credits each

Humanities (3 credits)

Foreign Language (3 credits)

Natural Science (x2) 3 credits each

Social Science (x2) 3 credits each

General Electives (x10) 3 credits each

Note:

As of the academic year 2005-06, all communication and rhetorical studies majors who also pursue a second major, an additional minor, or attend one of the SU Abroad centers for a semester, are allowed to enroll in up to 57 credits in non-arts-and-sciences courses. This modification means that communication and rhetorical studies majors who fall under one or more of the above categories (double major, minor, or SU Abroad) are no longer required to pursue 54 credits in arts and sciences courses but are given greater flexibility in taking more non-arts-and-sciences courses. Please note that the current requirements, including two writing courses, two humanities courses, two science courses, two social science courses, and a language proficiency at the 102 level (for a total of 27 credits), remain intact.

Course Catalog