Program: Communication Studies [COM] - SUNY Cortland - Modern Campus Catalog™

2016-17 Undergraduate Catalog

Apr 03, 2025

The communication studies major emphasizes critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. Core courses provide students with a strong foundation in all aspects of human communication. Elective courses within the major allow students to design a program of study that meets their personal learning objectives and career goals.

Career Potential

Audio and video production
Advertising
Business
Journalism
Government
Public relations

The major's 40 credit hour requirement must be taken from the following:

A. Required Core Courses: 28 credit hours

COM 100 - Human Communication (3 cr. hr.)
COM 200 - Communication History (3 cr. hr.)
COM 203 - Introduction to Media Writing (3 cr. hr.)
COM 210 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3 cr. hr.)
COM 301 - Mass Media and Society (3 cr. hr.)
COM 302 - Intercultural Communication (3 cr. hr.) or
COM 303 - International Communication (3 cr. hr.)
COM 304 - Communication Research (3 cr. hr.)
COM 399 - Internship in Communication Studies (1-3 cr. hr.)
COM 400 - Communication Law and Ethics (3 cr. hr.)
Media Participation:
COM 390 - Participation in Newspaper (1 cr. hr.) or
COM 392 - Participation in Magazine (1 cr. hr.) or
COM 393 - Participation in Video Production (1 cr. hr.) or
COM 394 - Participation in Audio Production (1 cr. hr.)

B. Choose

Twelve additional credit hours of communication studies courses (excluding COM 390, COM 392, COM 393, COM 394) with at least six credit hours at the 300 level or above, or one of the following concentrations in communication studies.

Concentrations:

Journalism [JOUR]
Media Production [MEPD]
Public Relations and Advertising [PRAD]

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 124

Example of the B.A. in Communication Studies over four years

The sample program listed is model for communication studies majors with or without a concentration. It does not reflect the expectations for all of the programs. Students should consult an advisor to obtain up-to-date program requirements and to formulate a degree plan.

First Year

Fall Total credit hours: 16-17

Foreign language 101
GE course

COM 100 - Human Communication (3 cr. hr.)
COM 210 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3 cr. hr.)
COR 101 - The Cortland Experience: A First Year Seminar (1 cr. hr.) and
CPN 100 - Writing Studies I (3 cr. hr.) or
CPN 102 - Writing Studies in the Community I (4 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 16-17

Foreign language 102
GE course
GE course

COM 390 - Participation in Newspaper (1 cr. hr.)
Except [MEPD]
COM 200 - Communication History (3 cr. hr.) and
CPN 101 - Writing Studies II (3 cr. hr.) or
CPN 103 - Writing Studies in the Community II (4 cr. hr.)

Second Year

Fall Total credit hours: 16

Foreign language 201
Elective
GE course
Participation course

COM 203 - Introduction to Media Writing (3 cr. hr.)
COM 301 - Mass Media and Society (3 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 16

Foreign language 202
GE course
GE course
Elective
Participation course
and
COM 300-level elective for COM majors or

COM 321 - Intermediate Writing for Public Relations (3 cr. hr.) or
PRAD majors take COM 321.
COM 323 - Intermediate News Writing and Reporting (3 cr. hr.)
MEPD and JOUR majors take COM 323.

Third Year

Fall Total credit hours: 15

GE course

COM 399 - Internship in Communication Studies (1-3 cr. hr.)
Except [MEPD]
COM 302 - Intercultural Communication (3 cr. hr.) or
COM 303 - International Communication (3 cr. hr.)
COM 304 - Communication Research (3 cr. hr.) and
COM 300-level elective for COM majors or
COM 421 - Mass Media Advertising (3 cr. hr.) or
PRAD majors take COM 421.
COM 332 - Readings in Journalism (3 cr. hr.)
MEPD and JOUR majors take COM 332.

Spring Total credit hours: 16

GE course
LAS elective
LAS elective
Participation course
and
COM 300-level elective for COM majors or

COM 422 - Public Relations (3 cr. hr.) or
PRAD majors take COM 422.
COM 349 - Multimedia Production (3 cr. hr.) or
MEPD majors take COM 349.
COM 310 - Feature and Opinion Writing (3 cr. hr.)
JOUR majors take COM 310.
and
COM 400 - Communication Law and Ethics (3 cr. hr.)

Fourth Year

Fall Total credit hours: 15

Elective
Elective
Elective
Elective
Participation course
and
COM 300-level elective for COM majors or

COM 311 - Interviewing Principles and Practices (3 cr. hr.) or
PRAD majors take COM 311.
COM 430 - Media Criticism (3 cr. hr.) or
MEPD majors take COM 430.
COM 433 - Literary Journalism (3 cr. hr.)
JOUR majors take COM 433.

Spring Total credit hours: 12

Internship or
Study abroad or
Learning Community involvement or elective