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.
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 | 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 | 3 credits |
| Consumer Behavior | 3 credits |
Management
Choose one course:
Management: A Behavioral Approach | 3 credits | |
| Management and Society | 3 credits |
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 | |
| 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 | |
Gender, Ethnicity, and Race in Communication | 3 credits | ||
| Virtual Teamwork | 3 credits | ||
Organizations in International Development | 3 credits | ||
| Contemporary Issues in Digital Media | 3 credits | ||
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 | |
| Language and Social Interaction | 3 credits | ||
| 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:
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) | ||
| Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 credits | |
| Interpersonal Communication | 3 credits | |
Additional Required Courses (9 credits) Choose one course from each of the following three areas: | ||
| Intercultural Communication | 3 credits | |
| or | ||
| International Communication | 3 credits | |
| Communication Law and Free Speech ( | 3 credits | |
| or | ||
| Persuasion | 3 credits | |
| Introduction to Digital Communication and Culture | 3 credits |
| or | ||
| Studies in Electronic Media | 3 credits | |
Concentration Electives (9 credits) Choose three courses from the following: | ||
| Group Communication | 3 credits | |
Virtual Teamwork | 3 credits | |
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 |
| 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 | |
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) | ||
| Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 credits | |
| Intercultural Communication | 3 credits | |
Additional Required Courses (9 credits) Choose one course from each of the following three areas: | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | 3 credits | |
| or | ||
| Group Communication | 3 credits | |
| Communication Law and Free Speech ( | 3 credits | |
| or | ||
| Persuasion | 3 credits | |
| Introduction to Digital Communication and Culture | 3 credits |
| or | ||
| Studies in Electronic Media | 3 credits | |
Concentration Electives (9 credits) Choose three courses from the following: | ||
| International Communication | 3 credits | |
| Gender, Ethnicity, and Race in Communication | 3 credits | |
Virtual Teamwork | 3 credits | |
| Organizations in International Development | 3 credits | |
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 |
| 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 | |
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) | ||
| Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 credits | |
| Communication Law and Free Speech ( | 3 credits | |
Additional Required Courses (9 credits) Choose one course from each of the following three areas: | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | 3 credits | |
| or | ||
| Group Communication | 3 credits | |
| Intercultural Communication | 3 credits |
| or | ||
| International Communication | 3 credits | |
| Introduction to Digital Communication and Culture | 3 credits |
| or | ||
| Studies in Electronic Media | 3 credits | |
Concentration Electives (9 credits) Choose three courses from the following: | ||
| Classical Rhetoric | 3 credits | |
| History and Criticism of American Public Address | 3 credits | |
Modern Frontiers of Rhetoric | 3 credits | |
| Persuasion | 3 credits | |
| Argumentation and Debate | 3 credits | |
| Elements of Legal Argumentation | 3 credits | |
| Markets, Media, and Meaning | 3 credits | |
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 | |
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) | ||
| Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 credits | |
| Introduction to Digital Communication and Culture | 3 credits | |
Additional Required Courses (9 credits) Choose one course from each of the following three areas: | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | 3 credits | |
| or | ||
| Group Communication | 3 credits | |
| Intercultural Communication | 3 credits |
| or | ||
| International Communication | 3 credits | |
| Communication Law and Free Speech ( | 3 credits |
| or | ||
| Persuasion | 3 credits | |
Concentration Electives (9 credits) Choose three courses from the following: | ||
| Ethics of Image Making: Film, Television, and Digital Media | 3 credits | |
| Media Analysis and Criticism | 3 credits | |
Studies in Electronic Media | 3 credits | |
| American Television Programming | 3 credits | |
| International Communication | 3 credits | |
| Contemporary Issues in Digital Media | 3 credits | |
| Markets, Media, and Meaning | 3 credits | |
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 | |
Internship in Business and Public Communication | 3 credits | |
* Students may enroll in COM 4101 more than once if the topic is different.
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:
;
; or
. 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 | |
| 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 | |
Gender, Ethnicity, and Race in Communication | 3 credits | ||
| Virtual Teamwork | 3 credits | ||
Organizations in International Development | 3 credits | ||
| Communication for Executives | 3 credits | |
| Contemporary Issues in Digital Media | 3 credits | ||
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 | |
| Language and Social Interaction | 3 credits | ||
Communication Research Strategies | 3 credits |
| 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 | |
| Information and Society ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Communication Law and Free Speech | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| 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 | |
Gender, Ethnicity, and Race in Communication | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| Virtual Teamwork | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
Organizations in International Development | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| Communication for Executives | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Contemporary Issues in Digital Media | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
Markets, Media, and Meaning | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| Business Communication ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Introduction to Linguistics and Language Learning ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| The Structure and History of English ( | 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 | |
| The Globalization of English ( | 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 | ||
| 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 |