Undergraduate Studies Catalog (1997-1999)
(716) 395-2511
Chairperson: Bill W. Reed; Professors: Floyd D.
Anderson; Associate Professors: Virginia Bacheler, Fredric
Powell; Assistant Professors: Alice Crume, Carvin Eison,
Donna Kowal, Katherine Madden, Reed.
Three major curricula are available to students through the Department of Communication:
Students majoring in communication studies are required to complete two of five course specialties: communication and persuasion; interpersonal and organizational communication; public communication; media in society; and political communication. The interdisciplinary major in communication offers students a choice of two tracks: broadcasting or communication applications.
In addition to the major, the department offers an 18-credit minor
in communication studies with five options selected from the specialties
of the major in communication studies.
Communication Studies Major: BA or BS in Communication Studies
The communication studies major deals with communication ranging
from interpersonal communication to mass media. This major allows
extensive sampling of these various human communication activities
with learning experiences in theory, applications of theory and
performance. The available sequences within the major permit
students to develop a program of study in those aspects of communication
studies that most interest them. In order to maximize the individual
benefit for each student, it is strongly recommended that students
discuss the 12-hour course specialties and course choices with
their academic advisors.
The communication studies major may serve as an academic major
for elementary education certification.
Requirements
Students must complete 36 credits for the program, with at least
21 credits in courses numbered 300-499. The student majoring
in communication studies, in addition to the six-credit core
consisting of CMC 201 Public Speaking and CMC 202 Principles
of Communication, selects two 12-hour specialties from
the five specialties offered, and six credits of communication
electives which may be met by enrolling in any six credits of
communication courses for which the student has met the prerequisite,
if any. At least 15 of the 36 credits in communication studies
must be taken at SUNY College at Brockport.
The communication and persuasion specialty focuses on the study
of persuasive transactions in public communication contexts.
The anticipated general outcome of such study is an increased
understanding of the processes and theoretical principles involved
in persuasive human symbolic interaction. Students examine the
theories of persuasion, participate in critical examination of
practicing persuaders, and examine the context of persuasion.
Students interested in pursuing graduate programs or having a
specific interest in persuasion/ communication theory are attracted
to this sequence.
The interpersonal and organizational communication specialty focuses
on the study of communication transactions in dyadic, small group,
and organizational contexts. The anticipated general outcome
of such study is an increased understanding of the principles,
processes, and barriers involved in face-to-face human symbolic
interaction.
Students interested in pursuing careers in human resources management,
sales, and marketing will find this specialty particularly helpful.
The media in society specialty focuses on the study of media in
public and mass communication contexts. The anticipated general
outcome of such study is an increased understanding of the interrelationships
between communication media and sociocultural, political and intellectual
environments. Any student interested in electronic or print media
in his or her professional or business career would benefit from
this specialty.
The political communication specialty focuses on the study of
communication transactions in political contexts. The anticipated
general outcome of such study is an increased understanding of
the principles and processes of political communication. This
is an ideal specialty for students interested in politics, government,
history or political science.
The public communication specialty focuses on the study of communication
transactions in public settings. The anticipated general outcome
of such study is an increased understanding of the principles
and processes of speaker-to-audience interactions. Students anticipating
work in public relations, sales, law, politics, and public service
of any type will find this specialty valuable.
All communication studies majors are to select a minimum of six
credits of electives from communication courses for which they
have met prerequisites.
Minor in Communication Studies (18 credits)
A minor in communication studies consists of any one of
the 12-credit specialties in the communication studies major,
plus CMC 201, Public Speaking and CMC 202 Principles of Communication.
The track in broadcasting prepares students for employment with
television and radio stations, cable companies, independent production
studios and corporate media centers.
The broadcasting major consists of 36 credits of coursework, including
15 credits in liberal arts core courses and 21 credits in specialization
courses (nine required credits and 12 credits of electives).
At least 15 credits in communication must be taken at SUNY Brockport.
In addition, students pursuing the broadcasting track are required
to complete a second major or minor at this college in a discipline
other than communication.
Successful completion of the broadcasting track requires that
students complete, with a grade of "C" or better, the
following courses:
BA or BS in Communication
The communication applications track is a career-oriented program
that emphasizes application of communication theory and principles
to an array of communication contexts including: interpersonal
relationships, small group interaction (including the family),
and communication in work organizations. Drawing on interrelated
principles from the fields of communication, computer science,
English, psychology, and sociology, the student develops a broad
perspective on how human communication serves as the driving force
in interpersonal, group and work organization contexts. The emphasis
in this track on diagnosing and solving communication-related
problems in these contexts prepares students for careers in personnel
administration, training and development, marketing, sales, human
services, student services, and related careers that require excellent
oral communication, written communication, and relationship skills.
This track also develops the students' ability to analyze complex
communication systems and recommend improvements.
The track consists of a minimum of 45 credits (27 within the department
and 18 outside of the department); 30 of the 45 credits must be
taken in courses numbered 300-499. At least 15 credits in communication
must be taken at SUNY Brockport.
Outside Specialization (9 credits)
After selecting a related area of academic study that most closely
supports their educational and career goals, students will consult
with their advisors to elect courses in that department. All
three courses must be taken in one department and at least two
must be at the 300-499 level. The disciplines are: business administration,
computer science, economics, English, political science, psychology,
and sociology. If the student can demonstrate that some other
academic area more clearly relates to his or her educational and
career goals, this area can be used to meet this requirement.
No course can be used to fulfill more than one requirement in
this program.
BA or BS in Journalism
Administered by the Department of Communication, the major in
journalism prepares students for careers in newspaper, magazine,
broadcast and wire service journalism; public and community relations;
public information; advertising; corporate communications and
government service.
The major in journalism consists of at least 36 credit hours of
coursework in journalism and communication within the Department
of Communication, together with a requirement that students complete
a minor or second major (or with department approval other
contractual program of study not constituting a minor or second
major) in a disciplinary area outside the Department of Communication.
Completion of all requirements for the major in journalism thus
requires a minimum of 54 credit hours of prescribed and elective
coursework. At least 15 of the 36 credit hours required in journalism
and mass communication courses must be taken at SUNY College at
Brockport.
I. Communication Studies Core (6 credits) Credits
CMC 201 Public Speaking 3
CMC 202 Principles of Communication
(must be taken at SUNY Brockport and
passed with a grade of "C" or better)3
Specialties (two must be selected)
Communication and Persuasion Specialty (12 credits)
Required Courses: Credits
CMC 219 Advertising, Mass Persuasion and the Consumer 3
CMC 319 Propaganda and Persuasion 3
CMC 411 Rhetorical Criticism 3
CMC 492 Theories of Persuasion 3
Required Courses: Credits
CMC 211 Protest and Public Opinion 3
CMC 312 Argumentation and Debate 3
CMC 417 20th-century Political Rhetoric 3
CMC 419 Problems in Freedom of Speech 3
Broadcasting Track
Communications Applications Track
*Open only to seniors majoring in communication applications who
have a minimum GPA of 2.8 in their major.
(pending approval)
