The Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies (CRS) creates skilled and versatile communicators prepared for the diverse professional and personal contexts they will come to understand, pursue, and influence.
[CRS alumna Asa Goldstock ’20 shares her Syracuse University story]
318+
Faculty research publications
Books, journal articles, book chapters
12
Areas of emphasis for undergraduates
Unlimited career opportunities
78
Faculty and student awards
Given at the campus, national and international levels
A Degree that Grows with You
Our undergraduate program is ideal for those students who wish to acquire communication skills that are highly valued by employers across numerous industries, including the media, business, politics, law, education, public affairs, public relations, and marketing. Our graduate program provides first-rate training in communication research and pedagogy, preparing graduates for competitive careers within academe or for diverse career opportunities outside it.
Learn from Experts
The CRS faculty is made up of active scholars who are absorbed in the study of communication and rhetorical studies. They conduct original research, present their work at national and international conferences, and write books or publish essays in scholarly journals. This enables them to share cutting-edge perspectives with students and keep their teaching up-to-date with current trends in the field of communication studies.
A Vibrant History
We’re proud of our department’s long history at Syracuse University. Launched in 1910 as the Department of Oratory, CRS is one of the nation’s first academic programs devoted to the study of communication and rhetoric. Throughout our evolution, our department has been housed in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, where our programs have benefited from close association with the disciplines of art, design, transmedia, drama, and music.
Recent CRS News
![Whitney Phillips portrait.]()
Faculty News
Whitney Phillips, assistant professor in the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies, contributed to The Guardian article "Banning Trump won't fix social media: 10 ideas to rebuild our broken internet – by experts" and was interviewed for the NPR story “On Far-Right Websites, Plans To Storm Capitol Were...
![Kendall Phillips portrait.]()
Faculty News
Kendall Phillips, professor in the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies, was quoted in the Deseret News story “‘WandaVision’ brings back the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Is it a mistake?”
![Jeremy Edwards]()
Alumni News
Communication and rhetorical studies (CRS) alumnus Jeremy Edwards '13 is the African American media director of the Democratic Party of Georgia. He was featured in the Daily Orange article "SU alum works to increase Black voter turnout in Georgia Senate runoffs" and discussed his work as well as how...
