Communication Major

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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 and media. 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 - BA (44 credits)

General Education Requirements - BS (35 credits

Major Departmental 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.

Students must complete 36 credits in the program, with at least 21 credits in courses numbered 300–499. The student majoring in communication, in addition to completing the 15-credit communication studies required core and the 6-credit core skills, must select one of the three 15-credit specialties offered in the major. 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. Study of a foreign language other than Spanish or French (in which minors are offered), bilingual-multicultural studies or foreign cultural studies are encouraged for such a program.

Students must complete CMC 201 Public Speaking with a grade of "C" or higher.

Required Core (15 credits)

  • CMC 201 Public Speaking*
  • CMC 202 Principles of Communication
  • CMC 211 Protest and Social Change*
  • CMC 273 Interpersonal Communication*
  • CMC 473 Theories of Communication
-OR-
  • 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

Specialization: Complete ONE of the following three specialization areas (15 credits)

In chosen specialization, choose any two of the three foundation courses, then any three electives from anywhere within that specialization.

Option 1: Relationships and Social Identity

Foundation (choose any two)

  • CMC 418 Intercultural Communication
  • CMC 479 Conflict Management Through Communication
  • CMC 480 Advanced Interpersonal Communication

Electives (choose any three)

  • The third foundation course from above
  • CMC 377 Organizational Communication
  • CMC 419 Freedom of Expression
  • CMC 472 Group Leadership
  • CMC 478 Advanced Organizational Communication

Option 2: Leadership and Civic Engagement

Foundation (choose any two)

  • CMC 377 Organizational Communication
  • CMC 410 Speakers, Campaigns & Movements
  • CMC 472 Group Leadership

Electives (choose any three)

  • The third foundation course from above
  • CMC 319 Propaganda & Persuasion
  • CMC 411 Rhetorical Criticism
  • CMC 417 Political Rhetoric in the Information Age
  • CMC 418 Intercultural Communication
  • CMC 419 Freedom of Expression

Option 3: Influence and Persuasion

Foundation (choose any two)

  • CMC 319 Propaganda & Persuasion
  • CMC 411 Rhetorical Criticism
  • CMC 491 Social Influence

Electives (choose any three)

  • The third foundation course from above
  • CMC 410 Speakers, Campaigns & Movements
  • CMC 417 Political Rhetoric in the Information Age
  • CMC 419 Freedom of Expression
  • CMC 479 Conflict Management Through Communication
  • CMC 480 Advanced Interpersonal Communication

* Denotes courses that meet both major and general education requirements

Minor Requirements (18-21 credits)

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

Electives BS (28-31 credits)

Electives BA (19-22 credits)

Total Credits (120 credits)

Additional Degree Requirements

  • Communication majors must earn a grade of C or better in CMC 201
  • 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.