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:
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:
- construct and deliver an extemporaneous presentation by adapting content to engage audiences in a variety of speaking situations.
- employ various influence strategies to effectively persuade an audience while constructing well-supported and logical arguments.
- apply communication concepts to critically analyze social justice issues, evaluate different perspectives, and develop informed responses and solutions.
- analyze and evaluate how communication contributes to building healthy human connections.
- analyze and evaluate specific instances of public discourse within social, cultural, and political contexts, applying communication concepts to assess their influence on societal change.