Rhetoric and Communication Studies
Department of Rhetoric and Communication Studies
Mari Lee Mifsud, Chair
Associate Professors Johnson, Mifsud
Assistant Professors Achter, Bhatt
Director of Speech Center Hobgood
Director of Debate Kuswa
Assistant Debate Coach Congdon
The Rhetoric and Communication Studies Major
Note: The grade point average in the major must be 2.0 or higher, with no course grade below a C- (1.7) counting toward the major. Prior to admission to the major a grade of C+ (2.3) or higher must be achieved in both RHCS 101 and RHCS 102, or permission from the department must be obtained to declare the major.
9 units, including
RHCS 101 Rhetoric and Public Address
RHCS 102 Interpersonal Communication
RHCS 295 Topics in Research (repeated for a total of 2 units)
RHCS 490 Senior Capstone
One 200-level elective
One 300- or 400-level rhetoric elective
One 300- or 400-level communications elective
One 300- or 400-level elective
Note: RHCS 412/413 Seminars and RHCS 295 Topics in Research may be counted more than once toward the major. No more than one unit each of internship and independent study may count toward the major. Internships are strongly recommended and are graded pass/fail. Practicum credits will not count toward the major and are graded pass/fail.
The Rhetoric and Communication Studies Minor
Note: The grade point average in the minor must be 2.0 or higher, with no course grade below a C- (1.7) counting toward the minor. Prior to admission to the minor a grade of C+ (2.3) or higher must be achieved in both RHCS 101 and RHCS 102, or permission from the department must be obtained to declare the minor.
5 units, including
RHCS 101 Rhetoric and Public Address
RHCS 102 Interpersonal Communication
RHCS 295 Topics in Research
Two 300- or 400-level electives
Note: No credit toward the minor will be awarded for internships or practica.
Rhetoric Courses
RHCS 201 Argumentation and Debate
RHCS 221 Business and Professional Speech
RHCS 323 Classical Rhetoric
RHCS 325 Medieval to Modern Rhetorics
RHCS 327 Contemporary Perspectives on Rhetoric
RHCS 333 Theory and Pedagogy
RHCS 341 Speech Writing
RHCS 343 Rhetoric and Politics
RHCS 345 Rhetoric of Terrorism, (In)Security and the State
RHCS 353 Rhetoric and Law
RHCS 363 Rhetoric and Culture
RHCS 387 Independent Study in Rhetoric
RHCS 413 Rhetoric Seminar
Communication Studies Courses
RHCS 210 Group Communication
RHCS 300 Communication Theory
RHCS 302 Advanced Theories in Interpersonal Communication
RHCS 330 Organizational Communication
RHCS 340 Culture and Communication
RHCS 342 Gender and Communication
RHCS 350 International Communication
RHCS 352 Family Communication
RHCS 386 Independent Study in Communication Studies
RHCS 412 Communication Studies Seminar
Courses
RHCS
101 Rhetoric and Public Address
Introduction to rhetoric as an idea and a practice. Emphasizes theories of rhetorical design processes, in particular, theories of invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery. Includes weekly practicum.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
102 Interpersonal Communication
Survey of theory and practice relating to one-to-one communication. Exploration of role of communication and meaning in development of self, perceptions and relationships. Introduction to social scientific study of communication. Includes lab-based practicum.
General Education Requirement: (FSSA)
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
201 Argumentation and Debate
In-depth introduction to principles of public advocacy. Emphasizing both theory and skills, the course includes casewriting, presentation, analysis, refutation, cross-examination, and logical fallacies.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
210 Group Communication
Group communication theory and methodology; participation in group discussion relating theory to specific communication problems.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
221 Business and Professional Speech
Making the business presentation and giving the corporate advocacy speech. Application to workplace of skills in listening, problem solving, interviewing, conducting meetings.
Prerequisite(s): Rhetoric and Communication Studies 101.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
295 Topics in Research
These topical courses focus on theory and practice of selected research methods (e.g. rhetorical criticism, ethnography, interview and survey methods, etc.), providing students with critical understanding of published research, a grounding in research methodology, and a working knowledge of the research process. Majors are required to take two units of RHCS 295, minors one unit. May be repeated for credit when topics differ.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
300 Communication Theory
Survey of leading human communication theories put forward in varied areas of communication behavior, including interpersonal, group, and public communication.
Prerequisite(s): Rhetoric and Communication Studies 102.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
302 Advanced Theories in Interpersonal Communication
In-depth exploration of specific theories in area of interpersonal communications. Will focus on role of communication in creating, maintaining, repairing, and transforming individual's sense of self and other. From this foundation, students will explore essence of dialogue through works of Buber, Bakhtin, Arnett, and Baxter.
Prerequisite(s): Rhetoric and Communication Studies 102.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
323 Classical Rhetoric
Roots of modern rhetorical theory in writings of Greek and Roman teachers of rhetoric.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
325 Medieval to Modern Rhetorics
Introduction to nature, scope, function and value of rhetorical theory in Medieval, Renaissance, and Enlightenment cultures. Key figures include St. Augustine, Boethius, Trebizond, Peter Ramus, Giambattista Vico, George Campbell, Hugh Blair, and Richard Whately.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
327 Contemporary Perspectives on Rhetoric
Survey of leading contemporary rhetorical theorists with emphasis on those who provide alternative views to classical and neo-Aristotelian theories, including symbolic interactionist approaches, postmodern approaches, and critical approaches.
Prerequisite(s): Rhetoric and Communication Studies 101.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
330 Organizational Communication
Presents fundamental principles of organizational communication theory, methods, and practices, applied to concrete examples from organizational experience.
Prerequisite(s): Rhetoric and Communication Studies 102.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
332 Practicum
Understanding communication through practical oral performance, debate, oral interpretation, public address. Fifty hours of work for one quarter unit of practicum credit. Includes research and written work appropriate to the speech activity involved. Two units maximum credit. Graded pass/fail only. Does not count for rhetoric and communication studies major or minor.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of department.
Unit(s): .25-1
RHCS
333 Theory and Pedagogy
For students who have successfully applied for positions as student consultants and speech fellows at the speech center.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
340 Culture and Communication
Studies dynamics of intercultural communication. Emphasis on familiarizing students with issues relating to diversity and improving students' skills in communicating across cultural barriers.
Prerequisite(s): Rhetoric and Communication Studies 102.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
341 Speech Writing
History of professional speech writing from classical times to present. Attention to status and impact of modern political and business speech writers. Emphasis on writer/speaker relationship, audience analysis, speech structure, use of data, and writing in an oral style.
Prerequisite(s): Rhetoric and Communication Studies 101.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
342 Gender and Communication
Focus on how gender is constructed and communicated in our daily lives through influences and institutions such as interpersonal relationships, the family, media, education, and religion. Theoretical work, empirical research, personal experiences and media all will be utilized in discussions of gender and its impact on everyday interactions. Students will explore major theoretical developments concerning gender and communication from varied perspectives and disciplines.
Prerequisite(s): Rhetoric and Communication Studies 102.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
343 Rhetoric and Politics
Analysis of American political systems from rhetorical perspective using several theoretical frameworks and applied research. Examine interpretive processes on which political arguments and ideologies are based. Study impact of language on issues, candidates, and campaigns. Develop perspective of government's role in the "ongoing conversation" of politics and evaluate rules, choices and strategies employed in different political arenas.
Prerequisite(s): Rhetoric and Communication Studies 101.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
345 Rhetoric of Terrorism, (In)Security and the State
Expands student perspectives and broadens their bases of information regarding violence, terrorism, and homeland security. What is violence? Is it avoidable? Can it ever be justified? Does terrorism operate exclusively through fear? Can speech be violent, "terroristic" or fear-inducing? How does a rhetorical perspective tie together the symbolic and the real? What is homeland security and how can it be achieved? These and other questions will be addressed.
Prerequisite(s): Rhetoric and Communication Studies 101.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
350 International Communication
Examines the elements shaping international communication in contemporary society. Focuses on ways in which technology, media and nation influence one's identity and reality. Specifically examines communication between nations and cultural groups.
Prerequisite(s): Rhetoric and Communication Studies 102.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
352 Family Communication
Critical exploration of the communication processes that create, define, and maintain the family, with attention to relevant social scientific and humanistic theory and research.
Prerequisite(s): Rhetoric and Communication Studies 102.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
353 Rhetoric and Law
Inquiry into the law from rhetorical perspectives, using the history and theory of rhetoric and its long-standing association with law and justice. Examination of interpretive processes on which legal arguments and ideologies are based. Exploration of the language of legal argument, court decisions, and of the role of rhetoric and the law in shaping of public life and social justice.
Prerequisite(s): Rhetoric and Communication Studies 101.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
363 Rhetoric and Culture
Engages students in an inquiry into the rhetoric of culture. Includes exploration of rhetoric of cultural performance ranging from popular culture in various media to the public memorials, rituals and institutions that shape norms of culture. Also explores the rhetoric of elements of culture such as race, class, gender, and sexual orientation.
Prerequisite(s): Rhetoric and Communication Studies 101.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
386 Independent Study in Communication Studies
No more than one unit of independent study may count toward the major or minor.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
Unit(s): .25-1
RHCS
387 Independent Study in Rhetoric
No more than one unit of independent study may count toward the major or minor.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
Unit(s): .25-1
RHCS
388 Individual Internship
Practical application of speech communication principles and skills in a supervised, out-of-class environment. Graded pass/fail only. No more than one unit of internship may count toward rhetoric and communication studies major. Open to majors and minors only, but does not count toward the rhetoric and communication studies minor. No more than 1.5 units of internship in any one department and 3.5 units of internship overall may be counted toward required degree units.
Prerequisite(s): Faculty approval before beginning work.
Unit(s): .25-1
RHCS
412 Communication Studies Seminar
Special topics courses in areas such as conflict management, interpersonal communication and family communication. May be repeated for credit when topics differ.
Prerequisite(s): Rhetoric and Communication Studies 102.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
413 Rhetoric Seminar
Special topics courses in areas such as rhetoric in film, history of rhetoric, and rhetorical theory. May be repeated for credit when topics differ.
Prerequisite(s): Established by instructor.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
490 Senior Capstone
Capstone experience for rhetoric and communication studies majors examining major themes of interrogation relevant to scholars across the discipline. Themes range across questions of communication and culture, identity, power, agency, language, behavior, performance, and ethics. Weaves together theories and histories to provide students with a culminating and integrative experience in the major. Student work will focus on critical response to selected questions, presentation of a six to eight minute extemporaneous speech in defense of a thesis, and additional defense of the thesis in a question and answer session with a faculty panel.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing. Rhetoric and communication studies majors only.
Unit(s): 1
RHCS
498-499 Honors Thesis Writing
Advanced research and writing opportunity for departmental honors students. Requires completion and presentation of honors thesis.
Prerequisite(s): Participation in department honors program.
Unit(s): 1-1
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