Rhetoric/Communication Arts

RHETORICAL STUDIES focuses on the use of symbols to alter attitudes and induce others to act in a particular manner. Students engaged in rhetorical studies are challenged to critically examine previous attempts at persuasion, as well as to enter creatively into the production of original persuasive messages. COMMUNICATION STUDIES includes rhetorical studies but encompasses a broader array of communication behaviors in a wider variety of contexts, including (among others) interpersonal, small-group and intercultural communication.

Major Requirements

Majors choose one of the two areas as their primary area of concentration and the other as their secondary area of concentration. Eleven courses are required to complete the major. Fulfillment of the major requires the following:

1.) All majors take the following four survey courses that will introduce them to various aspects of the major. These courses are open to first-year and sophomore students. Juniors and seniors can be enrolled after the registration period has closed. See departmental waiting list for more details.

    107.   Beginning Acting

    111.   Rhetoric and Public Speaking

    125.   Introduction to Theatre

    127.   Introduction to Communication Studies.

2.) All majors must complete the research methods course that will introduce them to basic methods of inquiry and philosophical approaches peculiar to various areas of the major:

    250.   Communication & Performance Research Methods.

3.)  Majors must complete six additional courses, at least five of which must be in their primary area of concentration. At least four of these courses must be at 300-level and above.

Primary Area of Concentration: Rhetoric-Communication

105. Language as Human Experience (dual-listed from ANTH)

126. Persuasion

201. Introduction to Journalism (dual-listed from ENG)

225. Peer Mentoring in Rhetoric and Communication

239. Media Industries

3000-3999. Special Topics in Rhetoric/Communication Studies (200-Level Courses)

310. Culture & Media

311. Advanced Public Speaking

315. Gender and Communication

316. Advanced Communication Studies

318. Argumentation and Debate

321. Intercultural Communication

326. American Public Address

328. Interpersonal Communication

329. Rhetoric of Social Movements

331. Presidential Campaign Rhetoric

333. Persuasion: Analyzing Rhetorical Texts

334. Environmental Communication

335. Sex Talk

336. Rhetoric and Citizenship

342. Blogging the Globe: News Analysis and Investigative Journalism (dual-listed from GS)

360. Public Sphere of Renaissance Venice

361. London Coffeehouse Culture & Modernity

370. Against Health: Rhetoric & the Health Humanities

4000-4999. Special Topics in Rhetoric/Communication Studies (300-Level Courses)

480. Independent Study

489. SYE: Senior Project

498. SYE: Honors Senior Project

Secondary Area of Concentration: Theatre-Performance

100. Beginning Ballet

101. Production Credit

103. Stagecraft

106. Performing Diversity

113. Introduction to Performance Studies

202. Sound for the Stage

203. Stage Lighting

204. Costume History and Construction

210. Children Theatre in Schools

215. Dramatic Texts in Context

218. Shakespeare in Performance

223. Playwriting

230. Beginning/Intermediate Modern Dance

235. Beginning/Intermediate Jazz Dance

237. Contemporary British Theatre – Intro Level (offered off campus in London)

244. Techniques of Screenwriting

255. African-American Drama

270. Collaboration Across the Arts

3000-3999. Special Topics in Theatre/Performance Studies (200-Level Courses)

301. Advanced Modern Dance

303. Stage Lighting

304. Arts Management (offered off campus in New York City)

306. Advanced Screenwriting

307. Characterization

308. Cultural Encounters (offered off campus in New York City)

309. Acting Styles

314. Devising for Performance

317. Performing Poetry

319, 320. Shakespeare

322. Native American Oral Traditions

327. Drama By and About Women

330. Ritual Studies

332. Directing

337. Contemporary British Theatre – Advanced Level (offered off campus in London)

338. Twentieth-Century Avant-Garde

340. Performance Art

344. Children’s Theatre in the Schools

355. Studies in World Dramatic Literature

358. Madrid Stage (offered off campus in Madrid)

4000-4999. Special Topics in Theatre/Performance (300-Level Courses)

480. Independent Study

490. SYE: Senior Project

499. SYE: Honors Senior Project

Honors

To graduate with honors, a major must maintain a 3.5 GPA in the department and a 3.0 GPA overall; the major’s senior project proposal must be approved for enrollment in 498/499 SYE: Honors Senior Project; and the student must earn at least a 3.5 in 498/499.