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UNDERGRADUATES - OUR CURRICULUM

Program of Study
The Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies offers the bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in communication and rhetorical studies. 120 credits are required for the B.S. degree. As a student in the department, you take 36 credits in communication and rhetorical studies, 54 credits in arts and sciences, and 30 credits in university-wide electives. This flexible framework gives you a broad educational foundation and allows you options to meet your own interests and needs. A curriculum worksheet is helpful to map and track your progress.

The Major (36 credits):
The major in Communication and Rhetorical Studies is comprised of 36 credits (12 courses). The following courses are core and are therefore required:

* CRS 181 Concepts and Perspectives in Communication Studies
* CRS 183 Concepts and Perspectives in Rhetorical Studies
* CRS 225 Public Advocacy
* CRS 284 Discourse and Society
* CRS 287 Foundations of Inquiry in Human Communication

You can select any seven electives from the departmental curriculum

Arts and Sciences distribution (54 credits):
You need to take a total of 54 credits in Arts and Sciences. However, if you have a second major, an additional minor, or attend one of the DIPA centers for a semester, you are allowed to enroll in up to 57 credits in non-arts-and-sciences courses. This means that CRS majors who fall under one or more of the above categories 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. You are required in this case to take only the required distribution in Arts and Science (27 credits).

Required distribution in Arts and Sciences (27 credits):

* WRT 105 Writing workshop I
* WRT 205 Writing workshop II
* 2 Humanities courses
* 2 Science courses
* 2 Social Science courses

Electives in Arts and Sciences must total 27 credits.

You also must show proficiency in a foreign language at a 200 level. This proficiency can be satisfied either by taking courses or by exemption through testing for some or all of the language courses.

General Electives (30 credits):
You are to take 30 credits in general electives which means that you can take any course from any unit to fulfill general elective credits.

Note: All internship credits are counted toward the student's 30 credits of general electives, they do not count as CRS credits for the major.

Your Freshman Year
During your freshman year you begin laying the foundation for later study. You take Concepts and Perspectives in Communication Studies, Public Advocacy, and Concepts and Perspectives in Rhetorical Studies.

A series of freshman program workshops complements your coursework with guest speakers and forums on a variety of topics relevant to the freshman experience. These topics include adapting to college life, time management, internships, study abroad, dual majors and minors, career development, and community service, as well as an interactive alumni panel, where you meet returning alumni representing a variety of career paths.

You also begin your studies in the College of Arts and Sciences, which eventually makes up almost half of your coursework. We feel strongly that a broad education in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences complements your communication studies and serves you well throughout your lifetime.