Rhetoric and Communication Studies Program

Sample Curricula

The curricula listed below are a few examples of how students can develop individualized programs. We have not listed samples of supporting courses, as even greater flexibility is allowed there. The programs are listed in four-year sequences, although they can be completed in less time. As most of our majors enter the university with no declared major, or transfer from other majors, they typically are beginning the program in their second or third year of study. There are no prerequisites or required sequences of study, although it is assumed that educational benefit and student success is most likely to occur when the student follows a developmental sequence of courses.

Majors -- Minors -- How to Plan a Program of Study


Majors:

  1. Major Program A (30 hours total):


  2. Major Program B (33 hours total):
    • Rhetoric as a Liberal Art
    • Public Speaking
    • FYS: Popular Trials

    • History and Criticism of American Public Address
    • Law, Politics, and Society
    • POLS 181: Modern Political Theory

    • The Politics of Interpretation
    • Rhetorics of Race
    • Communication and Law

    • Classical Rhetoric
    • POLS 190: Seminar in Constitutional Law


  3. Major Program C (33 hours total):
    • Rhetoric as a Liberal Art
    • Public Speaking
    • FYS: Love and Friendship from Plato to Buddy Movies

    • Introduction to Hermeneutics
    • REL 108: 20th Century American Religion

    • Communication and Religion
    • Rhetorics of Race
    • PHIL 123: Ethical Theory

    • REL 149: Religion of the New Testament
    • Classical Rhetoric
    • Contemporary Communication and Rhetorical Theory


  4. Major Program D (33 hours total):
    • Rhetoric as a Liberal Art
    • Public Speaking
    • FYS: American Character and Society

    • The Politics of Interpretation
    • SOC 133: Sociological Theory

    • Communication and Conflict
    • Rhetorics of Race
    • SOC 172: Wealth, Discourse, and Power

    • The Aesthetics of Everyday Life
    • Classical Rhetoric
    • Contemporary Communication and Rhetorical Theory


  5. Major Program E (30 hours total):
    • Rhetoric as a Liberal Art
    • Public Speaking

    • History of American Public Address
    • Rhetorical Criticism
    • Photojournalism and Public Culture

    • The Aesthetics of Everyday Life
    • ENG 70: Introduction to Film Study

    • Classical Rhetoric
    • Contemporary Communication and Rhetorical Theory
    • ENG 124: Topics in Cultural History



Minors:

Program minors involve only courses taught by faculty in the department. There still is considerable flexibility for individual planning, as the following samples suggest.

  1. Minor Program A (18 hours total):
    • Rhetoric as a Liberal Art
    • Public Speaking

    • Rhetoric and War
    • Rhetorics of Race
    • The Politics of Interpretation

    • Classical Rhetoric


  2. Minor Program B (18 hours total):
    • Rhetoric as a Liberal Art
    • Public Speaking

    • Paths to Knowledge (six credit interdisciplinary course)

    • The Aesthetics of Everyday Life
    • Photojournalism and Public Culture

  3. Minor Program C (21 hours total):
    • Rhetoric as a Liberal Art
    • Public Speaking

    • Political Communication
    • History and Criticism of American Public Address
    • The Politics of Interpretation

    • Classical Rhetoric
    • Contemporary Communication and Rhetorical Theory


Planning your program of study:

The student's program of study is developed in consultation with a faculty advisor in the program. Selection and scheduling will be done to optimize coordination with the student's other areas of study (e.g., another major, concentrations in Women's Studies, Cultural Studies, or other interdisciplinary programs) and with other educational opportunities such as study abroad. In accord with our commitment to the liberal arts education, we encourage students to participate in additional disciplinary, interdisciplinary, or international programs.

Students or prospective students are welcome to contact the faculty at any time if they have questions regarding a degree program.