Welcome to the Department of Communication Studies!

We offer communication courses that feature performance activities and emphasize the theory, history, and criticism of rhetorical communication. Our experienced faculty members will help you achieve personal fulfillment, civic engagement, and career success.

In addition to providing public speaking classes for hundreds of St. John's students each semester, we also offer a major in Communication Studies and several minor programs of study. 

Department Contacts

Jeremiah Hickey, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chair
718-990-5629
[email protected] 

Shamekya Robinson
Department Chair Secretary
St. John Hall, Room 344
718-990-6451
[email protected]

Communication Studies Minors

The minor in Business and Organization Communication requires the successful completion of 15 credits including:

  • SPE 1000C or HON 1020C Public Speaking for the College Student
  • RCT 2020 Persuasion
  • RCT 2025 Organizational Communication
  • Two of the following:
    • RCT 1015 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
    • RCT 1155 Language and Intercultural Communication
    • RCT 2000 Advanced Public Speaking
    • RCT 2050 Decision-Making Discussion
    • RCT 2070 Strategic Communication
    • RCT 4903 Internship in Speech Communication

The minor in Communication on the Queens Campus requires the successful completion of 15 credits including:

  • SPE 1000C or HON 1020C Public Speaking for the College Student
  • RCT 2020 Persuasion
  • Three of the following:
    • RCT 1155 Language and Intercultural Communication
    • RCT 2000 Advanced Public Speaking
    • RCT 2015 Nonverbal Communication
    • RCT 2025 Organizational Communication
    • RCT 2070 Strategic Communication
    • RCT 2080 Media and Culture

The minor in Communication on the Staten Island Campus requires the successful completion of 15 credits including:

  • SPE 1000C or HON 1020C Public Speaking for the College Student
  • RCT 1015 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
  • RCT 2020 Persuasion
  • Two of the following:
    • RCT 1050 Fundamentals of Speech Production
    • RCT 1155 Language and Intercultural Communication
    • RCT 1510 Introduction to Theatre
    • RCT 1540 Introduction to Acting I
    • RCT 2000 Advanced Public Speaking
    • RCT 2015 Nonverbal Communication
    • RCT 2110 Oral Interpretation
    • RCT 4953 Independent Study

The minor in Musical Theatre requires the successful completion of 18 credits including:

  • MUS 1260 The American Musical Theatre
  • RCT 1510 Introduction to Theatre or RCT 1530 Modern Theatre
  • RCT 1540 Introduction to Acting I
  • MUS 1620 Voice I or MUS 2620 Voice II
  • Two of the following:
    • MUS 1070 The Opera
    • MUS 1230 History of American Popular Musice
    • MUS 1240 History of Music in Film
    • RCT 1520 Creating Theatre
    • RCT 1580 Theatre Laboratory: Acting
    • RCT 1590 Theatre Laboratory: Directing
    • RCT 2540 Introduction to Acting II

The minor in Religious Communication requires the successful completion of 15 credits including:

  • SPE 1000C or HON 1020C Public Speaking for the College Student
  • RCT 1155 Language and Intercultural Communication
  • RCT 3190 Rhetoric of Religion
  • Two of the following:
    • RCT 2020 Persuasion
    • RCT 2040 American Public Address
    • RCT 2060 Argumentation: Inquiry and Advocacy
    • RCT 3130 Foundations of Rhetorical Theory

The minor in Rhetoric and Public Address requires the successful completion of 15 credits including:

  • SPE 1000C or HON 1020C Public Speaking for the College Student
  • RCT 3130 Foundations of Rhetorical Theory
  • Three of the following:
    • RCT 2000 Advanced Public Speaking
    • RCT 2010 Rhetoric of Sports
    • RCT 2030 Rhetoric of Popular Culture
    • RCT 2035 Public Memory
    • RCT 2040 American Public Address
    • RCT 2060 Argumentation: Inquiry and Advocacy
    • RCT 3120 The Free Speech Tradition in the United States
    • RCT 3140 Rhetorical Communication Strategies
    • RCT 3150 Rhetoric of Social Movements
    • RCT 3160 Modern Rhetorical Theory
    • RCT 3180 Legal Argumentation
    • RCT 3190 Rhetoric of Religion

The minor in Theatre requires the successful completion of 18 credits including:

  • SPE 1000C or HON 1020C Public Speaking for the College Student
  • RCT 1540 Introduction to Acting I
  • RCT 2110 Oral Interpretation 
  • RCT 2540 Introduction to Acting II
  • Two of the following: 
    • RCT 1050 Fundamentals of Speech Production
    • RCT 1520 Creating Theatre
    • RCT 1560 Playwriting: Writing for Stage Performance
    • RCT 1575 Theatre Laboratory: Stagecraft
    • RCT 1580 Theatre Laboratory: Acting
    • RCT 1585 Theatre Laboratory: Directing
    • RCT 1590 Theatre Workshop