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
![Amos Kiewe sits at his desk with students standing behind him]()
Faculty News
Amos Kiewe: Leaving a Legacy
When Professor Amos Kiewe retires at the end of Fall 2022 semester, his absence will be deeply felt, but after an illustrious 31-year tenure at the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies (CRS), his legacy will loom large. Read More...
![Garrett Shrader]()
Featured News
CRS Student-Athlete Garrett Shrader: A Game-Changer
If you knew failure wasn’t an option, what would you try? This is the question Garrett Shrader, a junior communication and rhetorical studies (CRS) major in the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies, considers as he sits on the small leather sofa in Sims Hall, sipping water from a recycled plastic gallon jug he carries with him. Read More...
![Philip Metz]()
Alumni News
Life in the Fast Lane with Philip Metz ’98
Philip Metz, a 1998 alumnus of the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies (CRS), has funneled his passion for entertainment and sports industries into a vibrant career at NASCAR, where he serves as managing director of entertainment marketing and music. Read More...
