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UNDERGRADUATES - ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

Our Role
The Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies in the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University takes a broad approach to human communication. The department's program in communication and rhetorical studies focuses on developing strong communication skills and learning to take a communication perspective on every dimension of our lives: professionally, personally, and in our role as active community members.

Unlike many mass media programs that emphasize developing specialized skills within one particular medium, our program examines the whole communication process. We view human communication as a fundamentally creative activity in which participants jointly construct their personal and relational goals; create visions of the future; and sustain important values, norms, politics, culture, and diverse ways of being human. We view communication as a powerful force for change-and speech communication majors at Syracuse are poised to be strong leaders and advocates for shaping the social world in ways that honor differences and promote understanding.

Students in the communication and rhetorical studies major develop a set of specific professional communication skills, including group and teamwork, interpersonal relationship management, argumentation, conflict management, interviewing, public speaking, leadership, listening, and critical skills. As important as skill development is, the study of communication also involves a sophisticated understanding of communication processes such as context and culture. Examples include studying communication practices of organizations, families, politics, public discourse, popular culture, social movements, and cross-cultural interaction.

Learn from Experts
Our faculty are absorbed in the study of communication and rhetorical studies. Your understanding of communication will grow as you interact with faculty who are active scholars--conducting original research, presenting their work at national and international conferences, and writing books or publishing essays in scholarly journals. The faculty have written on a broad range of subjects, from Ronald Reagan's political discourse to the subtle messages conveyed in popular films. They also examine patterns of conversation that sustain or challenge gender, race, or cultural identity.

Consistent with Syracuse University's mission to integrate scholarship and teaching, our faculty members bring energy and expertise into the classroom. Their participation in research enables faculty to share cutting-edge perspectives with students and keep their teaching up-to-date with current trends in the field of communication studies. Judge the credentials of our faculty for yourself by visiting the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies faculty web page.