- Faculty
- Field Description
- The Majors and Courses
- The Minor and Courses
- Courses
- Department of Communication Studies Web Site
Field Description
Students examine the theory and practice of communication in a variety of contexts, including business and nonprofit organizations, small groups, the mass media, and video- and computer-based media. Under the auspices of the department, students acquire the knowledge base and analytical skills necessary to become effective communicators within an increasingly intercultural business and public environment. Courses are intended to serve the general student population as well as those students who have selected the corporate communication specialization of the business communication major.
The Majors
Business Communication Major with a Specialization in Corporate Communication
The business communication major is designed for students who are interested in careers in business journalism, corporate communication, or graphic communication. Because the business communication field is essentially interdisciplinary in nature, the program integrates courses from several departments in the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences and the Zicklin School of Business.
The corporate communication specialization prepares students for careers as communication specialists in business, industry, government, and nonprofit organizations in such fields as media relations, investor relations, corporate advertising, and employee communication. Interested students should contact the Department of Communication Studies at 646-312-3720.
The major also offers specializations in graphic communication (see the Department of Fine and Performing Arts listing) and business writing (see the Department of Journalism and the Writing Professions listing).
Program Prerequisites 12 credits
Introduction to Information Systems and Technologies (Students must complete BUS 1000 as a course prerequisite) | 3 credits | |
Fundamentals of Management | 3 credits | |
Marketing Foundations | 3 credits | |
Business Statistics I | 3 credits | |
or |
| |
Statistics for Social Science | 3 credits | |
or |
| |
Micro-Economics | 3 credits | |
or |
| |
Macro-Economics | 3 credits | |
| or | ||
Current Economic Problems | 3 credits |
Major/Specialization: 30 credits
Interdisciplinary Core 12 credits
Business Communication
Business Communication | 3 credits |
Marketing/Advertising
Choose one course:
Advertising and Marketing Communications | 3 credits | |
Marketing Research (Students must complete STA 2000 as a course prerequisite) | 3 credits | |
Consumer Behavior | 3 credits |
Management
Choose one course:
Business or Arts and Sciences Elective
One business or arts and sciences elective (at the 2000-level or above) to be selected upon consultation with the program advisor and with the advisor's approval.
Specialization Requirements 18 credits
Required Courses 9 credits
Managerial Communication Within Organizations | 3 credits | |
Communication for Executives | 3 credits | |
Internship in Business and Public Communication | 3 credits |
Electives 9 credits
Communication and Advocacy in Business and Public Affairs | 3 credits | |
Communication Law and Free Speech | 3 credits | |
| COM 3057 | Introduction to Digital Communication and Culture | 3 credits |
The Ethics of Image Making: Film, Television, and Digital Media | 3 credits | |
Video Communication and Production | 3 credits | |
Media Analysis and Criticism | 3 credits | |
Studies in Electronic Media | 3 credits | |
American Television Programming | 3 credits | |
Intercultural Communication | 3 credits | |
Persuasion | 3 credits | |
Argumentation and Debate | 3 credits | |
Interpersonal and Group Communication | 3 credits | |
International Communication | 3 credits | |
Interpersonal Communication | 3 credits | |
Group Communication | 3 credits | |
| COM 3079 | Gender, Ethnicity, and Race in Communication | 3 credits |
| COM 3080 | Virtual Teamwork | 3 credits |
| COM 3081 | Organizations in International Development | 3 credits |
| COM 3110 | Contemporary Issues in Digital Media | 3 credits |
| COM 3111 | Markets, Media, and Meaning | 3 credits |
Principles of Public Relations | 3 credits | |
Corporate Communication | 3 credits | |
Public Relations Writing | 3 credits | |
Public Relations Campaigns | 3 credits | |
Advanced Video Communication and Production | 3 credits | |
Selected Topics | variable | |
Topics in Communication Studies | 3 credits | |
| COM 4905 | Language and Social Interaction | 3 credits |
| COM 4906 | Communication Research Strategies | 3 credits |
Major in Communication Studies
Communication studies is both a scholarly and professional academic field that focuses on processes of communication ranging from the spoken word to global media. The major in communication studies is a springboard for a wide variety of careers and graduate degrees. Scope and depth of courses permit students a choice of four concentrations:
- Interpersonal and Group Communication
- Intercultural and International Communication
- Rhetoric and Public Advocacy
- Digital Communication and Culture
In the concentration that you choose, you must fulfill the requirements described below. Your transcript will indicate that you have a major in communication studies with one of the four concentrations. For more information, please contact the Department of Communication Studies at 646-312-3720 or visit the department's website.
Interpersonal and Group Communication Concentration
| ||
Required Core Courses (6 credits) | ||
| COM 2000 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 credits |
| COM 3077 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 credits |
Additional Required Courses (9 credits) Choose one course from each of the following three areas: | ||
| COM 3069 | Intercultural Communication | 3 credits |
| or | ||
| COM 3076 | International Communication | 3 credits |
| COM 3045 | Communication Law and Free Speech ( PHI 3045) | 3 credits |
| or | ||
| Persuasion | 3 credits | |
Introduction to Digital Communication and Culture | 3 credits | |
| or | ||
| COM 3062 | Studies in Electronic Media | 3 credits |
Concentration Electives (9 credits) Choose three courses from the following: | ||
| COM 3078 | Group Communication | 3 credits |
| COM 3080 | Virtual Teamwork | 3 credits |
| COM 4101 | Selected Topics * (Subject to departmental approval. Please check the departmental website for approved courses in this concentration) | 3 credits |
| Topics in Communication Studies * (Subject to departmental approval. Please check the departmental website for approved courses in this concentration) | 3 credits |
| COM 4905 | Language and Social Interaction | 3 credits |
Additional Electives (6 credits) |
Choose any two COM courses at the 3000-level or above. |
|
| Especially recommended: | ||
| Communication Research Strategies | 3 credits | |
| COM 5010 | Internship in Business and Public Communication | 3 credits |
* Students may enroll in COM 4101 more than once if the topic is different.
Intercultural and International Communication Concentration
| ||
| Required Core Courses (6 credits) | ||
| COM 2000 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 credits |
| COM 3069 | Intercultural Communication | 3 credits |
Additional Required Courses (9 credits) Choose one course from each of the following three areas: | ||
| COM 3077 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 credits |
| or | ||
| COM 3078 | Group Communication | 3 credits |
| COM 3045 | Communication Law and Free Speech ( PHI 3045) | 3 credits |
| or | ||
| Persuasion | 3 credits | |
Introduction to Digital Communication and Culture | 3 credits | |
| or | ||
| COM 3062 | Studies in Electronic Media | 3 credits |
Concentration Electives (9 credits) Choose three courses from the following: | ||
| COM 3076 | International Communication | 3 credits |
| COM 3079 | Gender, Ethnicity, and Race in Communication | 3 credits |
| COM 3080 | Virtual Teamwork | 3 credits |
| COM 3081 | Organizations in International Development | 3 credits |
| COM 4101 | Selected Topics * (Subject to departmental approval. Please check the departmental website for approved courses in this concentration) | 3 credits |
| Topics in Communication Studies * (Subject to departmental approval. Please check the departmental website for approved courses in this concentration) | 3 credits |
| COM 4905 | Language and Social Interaction | 3 credits |
Additional Electives (6 credits) |
Choose any two COM courses at the 3000-level or above. |
|
| Especially recommended: | ||
| Communication Research Strategies | 3 credits | |
| COM 5010 | Internship in Business and Public Communication | 3 credits |
* Students may enroll in COM 4101 more than once if the topic is different.
Rhetoric and Public Advocacy Concentration
| ||
| Required Core Courses (6 credits) | ||
| COM 2000 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 credits |
| COM 3045 | Communication Law and Free Speech ( PHI 3045) | 3 credits |
Additional Required Courses (9 credits) Choose one course from each of the following three areas: | ||
| COM 3077 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 credits |
| or | ||
| COM 3078 | Group Communication | 3 credits |
| Intercultural Communication | 3 credits |
| or | ||
| International Communication | 3 credits | |
Introduction to Digital Communication and Culture | 3 credits | |
| or | ||
| COM 3062 | Studies in Electronic Media | 3 credits |
Concentration Electives (9 credits) Choose three courses from the following: | ||
| COM 3064 | Classical Rhetoric | 3 credits |
| COM 3065 | History and Criticism of American Public Address | 3 credits |
| COM 3066 | Modern Frontiers of Rhetoric | 3 credits |
| Persuasion | 3 credits | |
| COM 3071 | Argumentation and Debate | 3 credits |
| COM 3074 | Elements of Legal Argumentation | 3 credits |
| COM 3111 | Markets, Media, and Meaning | 3 credits |
| COM 4101 | Selected Topics * (Subject to departmental approval. Please check the departmental website for approved courses in this concentration) | 3 credits |
Additional Electives (6 credits) |
Choose any two COM courses at the 3000-level or above. |
|
| Especially recommended: | ||
| Communication Research Strategies | 3 credits | |
| COM 5010 | Internship in Business and Public Communication | 3 credits |
* Students may enroll in COM 4101 more than once if the topic is different.
Digital Communication and Culture Concentration
| ||
| Required Core Courses (6 credits) | ||
| COM 2000 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 credits |
| COM 3057 | Introduction to Digital Communication and Culture | 3 credits |
Additional Required Courses (9 credits) Choose one course from each of the following three areas: | ||
| COM 3077 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 credits |
| or | ||
| COM 3078 | Group Communication | 3 credits |
| Intercultural Communication | 3 credits | |
| or | ||
| International Communication | 3 credits | |
Communication Law and Free Speech ( PHI 3045) | 3 credits | |
| or | ||
| COM 3070 | Persuasion | 3 credits |
Concentration Electives (9 credits) Choose three courses from the following: | ||
| COM 3058 | Ethics of Image Making: Film, Television, and Digital Media | 3 credits |
| COM 3060 | Media Analysis and Criticism | 3 credits |
| COM 3062 | Studies in Electronic Media | 3 credits |
| American Television Programming | 3 credits | |
| COM 3076 | International Communication | 3 credits |
| COM 3110 | Contemporary Issues in Digital Media | 3 credits |
| COM 3111 | Markets, Media, and Meaning | 3 credits |
| COM 4101 | Selected Topics * (Subject to departmental approval. Please check the departmental website for approved courses in this concentration) | 3 credits |
Additional Electives (6 credits) |
Choose any two COM courses at the 3000-level or above. |
|
| Especially recommended: | ||
| Communication Research Strategies | 3 credits | |
| COM 5010 | Internship in Business and Public Communication | 3 credits |
* Students may enroll in COM 4101 more than once if the topic is different.
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The Minor
A minor in the Department of Communication Studies provides students with a concentration in an area of study of acknowledged importance to every career path. The minor consists of two courses at the 3000-level or above from the list below and one of the communication studies capstone courses:
COM 4900; COM 4905; or COM 4906. While students may elect any two courses listed below, possible areas of concentration include the following: corporate communication, media studies, interpersonal and intercultural communication, and public communication.
Choose any two courses from those listed:
Communication Law and Free Speech | 3 credits | |
| COM 3057 | Introduction to Digital Communication and Culture | 3 credits |
The Ethics of Image Making: Film, Television, and Digital Media | 3 credits | |
Video Communication and Production | 3 credits | |
Media Analysis and Criticism | 3 credits | |
Speech Composition and Delivery | 3 credits | |
Studies in Electronic Media | 3 credits | |
American Television Programming | 3 credits | |
Managerial Communication Within Organizations | 3 credits | |
Intercultural Communication | 3 credits | |
Persuasion | 3 credits | |
Argumentation and Debate | 3 credits | |
Interpersonal and Group Communication | 3 credits | |
International Communication | 3 credits | |
Interpersonal Communication | 3 credits | |
Group Communication | 3 credits | |
| COM 3079 | Gender, Ethnicity, and Race in Communication | 3 credits |
| COM 3080 | Virtual Teamwork | 3 credits |
| COM 3081 | Organizations in International Development | 3 credits |
Communication for Executives | 3 credits | |
| COM 3110 | Contemporary Issues in Digital Media | 3 credits |
| COM 3111 | Markets, Media, and Meaning | 3 credits |
Business Communication | 3 credits | |
Principles of Public Relations | 3 credits | |
Corporate Communication | 3 credits | |
Public Relations Writing | 3 credits | |
Public Relations Campaigns | 3 credits | |
Advanced Video Communication and Production | 3 credits | |
Advanced Speech Writing | 3 credits | |
Selected Topics | variable |
Complete the minor with one of the following communication studies capstone courses:
Topics in Communication Studies | 3 credits | |
| COM 4905 | Language and Social Interaction | 3 credits |
| COM 4906 | Communication Research Strategies | 3 credits |
Courses
Courses in Communication Studies (COM)
Speech Communication | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Intensive Voice and Diction | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Communication and Advocacy in Business and Public Affairs | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
3 hours; 3 credits | ||
Communication Law and Free Speech | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| COM 3057 | Introduction to Digital Communication and Culture | 3 hours; 3 credits |
The Ethics of Image Making: Film, Television, and Digital Media | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Video Communication and Production | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Media Analysis and Criticism | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Speech Composition and Delivery | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Studies in Electronic Media | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Speaking to the Camera | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
American Television Programming | 4 hours; 3 credits | |
Managerial Communication Within Organizations | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Intercultural Communication | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Persuasion | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Argumentation and Debate | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Interpersonal and Group Communication | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
International Communication | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Interpersonal Communication | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Group Communication | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| COM 3079 | Gender, Ethnicity, and Race in Communication | 3 hours; 3 credits |
| COM 3080 | Virtual Teamwork | 3 hours; 3 credits |
| COM 3081 | Organizations in International Development | 3 hours; 3 credits |
Communication for Executives | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| COM 3110 | Contemporary Issues in Digital Media | 3 hours; 3 credits |
| COM 3111 | Markets, Media, and Meaning | 3 hours; 3 credits |
Business Communication ( JRN 3150) | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Introduction to Linguistics and Language Learning ( ENG 3700) | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
The Structure and History of English ( ENG 3750) | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Principles of Public Relations | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Corporate Communication | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Public Relations Writing | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Public Relations Campaigns | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
3 hours; 3 credits | ||
Advanced Video Communication and Production | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Advanced Speech Writing | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Selected Topics | Hours and credits to be arranged | |
Selected Topics | Hours and credits to be arranged | |
Topics in Communication Studies | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Language and Social Interaction | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| COM 4906 | Communication Research Strategies | 3 hours; 3 credits |
Independent Study I | Hours and credits to be arranged | |
Independent Study II | Hours and credits to be arranged | |
Internship in Business and Public Communication | 8 - 10 hours plus periodic conferences with internship coordinator; 3 credits | |
Internship in Business and Public Communication | 8 - 10 hours plus periodic conferences with internship coordinator; 3 credits | |
Honors in Communication Studies I | 3 hours; 3 credits per semester | |
Honors in Communication Studies II | 3 hours; 3 credits per semester |