Graduate Program - Rhetoric and Culture

Rhetoric and Culture represents the department's unique effort to educate students in cultural issues that cross traditional specialties. Students in this emphasis work with critical methods that interrogate rich cultural texts and with social-scientific methods. Faculty bring expertise in public discourse, intercultural and international communication, cultural studies, and gender. The faculty in this area are involved in the College of Arts and Sciences' interdisciplinary initiatives in Ethnic Studies, Public Discourse and Human Rights and Diversity.

Rhetoric and Culture Courses

800 Rhetorical Theory*

Introduction to major writers, works, and concepts involved in the rhetorical approach to the study of human communication.

830 Political Communication

A study of the role of communication in the political process, with an emphasis on communication strategies in political campaigns. The course includes a study of the communication variables important in the political process and an application of communication theory and principles to political communication.

850 Seminar in Gender and Communication

Investigation of the relationship between gender and communication. Theories and research on gender and communication, serving as the basis for studying the interrelationships among language, social reality, sex role stereotypes, and cultural values.

852 Communication and Culture

Theories of communication and culture serve as the basis for investigation of human communication in a variety of cultural contexts and activities.

859 Human Communication Theory*

Examination of the evolution of human communication theory as a social science. Study of major writers, works and concepts involved in the study of human communicative interaction.

885 Small Group Communication Theory

This course is designed to sketch out the conceptual territory of small group communication via a review of small group communication literature. The course will focus on small group communication as displayed in the family, friendship, and organizational networks. Students with little or no theoretical background in the small group communication area can develop an integrative picture of how small groups operate in various interpersonal settings.

910D Public Address

An in-depth study of a period of time in public address. Emphasis is placed upon study of orators and/or movements and their sociopolitical, cultural, and rhetorical significance.

911A The Classical Tradition

Study of the evolution of rhetorical theory from its origin to St. Augustine, with emphasis on rhetorical theory in classical Greece and Rome.

911B The Modern Renaissance Tradition

Study of the evolution of rhetorical theory from the Middle Ages through the Modern Period, with emphasis on 18th and 19th century British rhetorical thought.

911D The Contemporary Period

Study of the development of rhetorical theory in the 20th century.

912 Seminar in Argumentation Theory

Examines major theories of argumentation, focusing on theory building, applicability of methodologies, and understanding how argument functions in society.

950A Perspectives in Communication and Culture

Examination of the ways race, gender, ethnicity, and nationality are constructed in cultural discourses. Emphasis will be placed on the influence of various media on the standardization of images.

950B Seminar in Intercultural Communication

An examination of theory and research in intercultural communication. Emphasis is placed upon the role of culture in rhetorical and communication processes, theory building, research methodology, and research design.

950D Current Issues in Communication and Culture

An investigation of current topics in the research on the relationship between cultural processes and human communication. These topics may include current research on the relationship between communication and gender, ethnicity, and politics.

953 Seminar in Political Communication

In-depth study of the influences of communication behavior on political events including detailed study of communication within political campaigns and governmental processes.

985 Cultural Criticism

An advanced course that focuses upon the critical analysis of cultural artifacts, especially upon the relationship of media, language, and culture. Emphasis is upon designing and conducting a research project from a cultural studies perspective.

* These two courses cannot be counted toward the primary or secondary requirements in the Ph.D. program.

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