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.
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, film and media arts, drama, and music.
Recent CRS News
Faculty News
College of Visual and Performing Arts Welcomes New Full-Time Faculty
Thirteen new full-time faculty joined the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) for the 2024-25 academic year. One of the faculty members is also the college’s new senior associate dean of academic affairs.
Read More...Faculty News
Kendall Phillips Appointed Director of the Lender Center for Social Justice
Kendall Phillips, professor of communication and rhetorical studies in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, has been named director of the Lender Center for Social Justice. Read More...
Featured News
College of Visual and Performing Arts Announces Spring 2024 Dean’s List
The following undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Visual and Performing Arts were among those named to the Dean’s List for the Spring 2024 semester. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours and earn at least a 3.6 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) during the semester. Read More...