Program Chair: Bill Karis
Program Goals
Clarkson’s Communication degree integrates communication, design and technology. Students
develop a repertoire of communication skills and a solid understanding of communication
theory and practice. Together these prepare students to pursue professional careers or
graduate programs in this dynamic field.
Starting with a set of five required courses, students develop abilities which are the
foundation of any successful 21st century career in communication: writing, speaking, graphic
design, media design, teamwork and communication theory. Students then enhance and
deepen these abilities through seven additional communication courses, which can be focused
in areas like new media or technical communication. Students may select specific courses or, in
conjunction with Communication & Media faculty, design independent study projects to further
personal and professional interests.
Our faculty take advantage of Clarkson’s technological environment to provide
instruction in writing, speaking, graphic design, digital video, digital audio, web design,
information architecture, usability testing, public relations, environmental rhetoric, and media
literacy. Students work with C&M faculty in experiential learning projects, ongoing research
activities, and regular classes to learn, design and experiment with the latest communication
practices.
Outcome 1: Students will develop informative and persuasive communication skills.
Outcome 2: Students will develop competencies in a range of communication
technologies.
Outcome 3: Students will develop an ability to work effectively and ethically in the
professional workplace.
Outcome 4: Students will develop the ability to critically analyze language and media
use in society and the workplace.
Program Requirements
Communication Majors take five required COMM courses: COMM 210 Rhetoric for
Business, Science and Engineering, COMM 341 Introduction to Web Design, a COMM 300 level
professional communication course and a COMM 400 level communication theory course
chosen from lists maintained by the Communication & Media Department, COMM 490
Communication Internship, and seven other elective COMM courses, such as COMM 217 Public
Speaking, COMM 221 2D Digital Design, COMM 310 Mass Media & Society, COMM 327 Digital
Video 1, COMM 322 Typography & Design, and COMM 360 Audio Production.
In addition, the general requirements for the B.S. in Communication ensure that
students have substantial exposure to mathematics, science, technology, computing, and
liberal arts. Communication majors are also required to obtain 15 credit hours in an external
field (e.g., biology, computer science, digital arts, history, business, information technology,
professional development.
Students can use the remaining credits required for graduation to pursue individual
interests or career goals. COMM490 (Internship) serves as a bridge to industry or to advanced
study in the field. Students may choose to complete their internship by doing professional
communication work for offices on campus or for off‐campus businesses and organizations. Students may earn a double major by fulfilling the requirements for the B.S. in
Communication and another discipline at Clarkson, often without overload coursework.
Students pursuing other majors may acquire a Minor in Communication.
Social Documentation
Social Documentation is a double major integrating a Communication major with a
social science, humanities, or liberal studies major. It emphasizes critical inquiries into societal
issues along with the study of recording and documenting theories, techniques and
technologies. A substantive knowledge base in a social science or humanities discipline
enables students to ground their Communication degree in an area of interest that will also give
them a distinctive perspective. Likewise, the critical thinking, persuasive, and media production
skills learned from the Communication program will empower the social science or humanities
major to more effectively create products that can influence, entertain or educate. For more
information, see the Social Documentation Curriculum .
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: Along with meeting the requirements of the Clarkson Common
Experience , Communication majors must fulfill the following requirements: COMMUNICATION REQS: 36 hrs. GENERAL REQS: 26 hrs Cr. Hrs. Course Title Cr. Hrs. Mathematics Courses (include. Stat 282) 6‐7
COMM210 Theory of Rhetoric
for Business, Science and Engineering 3 Science Courses (include. lab course)
7 COMM3xx From C&M List 3
Computer Courses 6
COMM341 Intro. to Web
Design 3
Add'l Math, Science, 3 COMM4xx From C&M List 3
or Computer Course COMM490 Communication Internship 3 FY100, First‐Year Seminar 1 Plus 7 Communication Courses 21
EXTERNAL FIELD: 15 hours
Five courses to be chosen in consultation with advisor in a subject area outside the
Communication Major, such as the following:
Biology Environmental Science & Policy
Business History
Chemistry Information Technology
Computer Science Mathematics
Digital Arts & Sciences Physical Therapy
Engineering Physics
Psychology
FREE ELECTIVES: 43 hours
Students choose the remaining hours to fulfill remaining Knowledge Areas, to take
additional Communication courses, or additional liberal arts, engineering, business, or science
courses; to pursue another external field; to transfer credit from junior and community
colleges; to double major; or to design individual areas of study.
The Communication program is designed to be flexible. In most cases, students work
closely with faculty to arrange an appropriate sequence of courses. The following eight‐
semester plan is typical only in that it indicates students should take the general requirements
before pursuing the external field requirement. Since all courses are not offered each semester,
and since some courses in the external field may have prerequisites, students should seek
guidance from the Communication and Media Department in planning their academic
programs.
Communication Sample Curriculum
FIRST YEAR
First Semester Second Semester
Course Title Cr. Hrs. Course Title Cr. Hrs.
COMM210 Theory of Rhetoric 3 COMM Elective 3
COMM310 Mass Media COMM Elective 3
& Society 3 Elective 3
UNIV190 The Clarkson Seminar 3 STAT282 General Statistics 3 MA180 Intro to College Math 4 BY110/112 Science Elective w/lab 4 BY130 Science Elective 3
16
FY100 First‐Year Seminar 1
17
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester Second Semester
Course Title Cr. Hrs. Course Title Cr. Hrs.
COMM341 Intro to Web Design 3 COMM3xx From C&M List 3
COMM Elective 3 COMM Elective 3
External Field 3 External Field 3
Computer Course (TECH) 3 Computer Elective 3 Elective 3 Elective 3 15 15