Rhetoric

Internal Minor

Students wishing to pursue an internal minor in the Department of Communication Arts must elect to study in one of four graduate tracks:

Communication Science
Film
Media and Cultural Studies
Rhetoric

After consulting with a faculty member in the chosen area of specialization, students must complete 12 credits of course work, all of them above the 400-level and at least two above the 600-level. Note that courses below the 400-level required as prerequisites for advanced courses cannot be counted toward completion of the minor.

Students electing to minor in the Rhetoric area may follow one of three major approaches. The first approach is to gain exposure to the core areas of the discipline: theory, criticism, and public discourse. The second approach is to specialize in one core area of the discipline. The third approach is to consult with a Rhetoric faculty member to design a minor tailored to the student’s major program of study.

Option One

Students pursuing a minor designed to gain competency in the core areas of the field must take the following:

CA 570, Classical Rhetorical Theory or CA 964, Seminar in Classical Rhetorical Theory
CA 571, Modern Rhetorical Theory or CA 966, Seminar in Contemporary Rhetorical Theory
CA 576, Principles of Rhetorical Criticism or CA 674, Rhetorical Analysis
One course in public discourse from among the following:
- CA 470, Contemporary Political Rhetoric
- CA 610, Special Topics in Rhetoric
- CA 667, History of American Public Address
- CA 675, Rhetoric of Women’s Social and Political Discourse
- CA 776, Rhetorical Analysis
- CA 967, Seminar in Public Discours

Option Two

Students pursuing a minor designed to specialize in one particular aspect of the discipline must take 12 credits from among the following:

Theory

CA 572, Theories of Argumentation
CA 570, Classical Rhetorical Theory
CA 571, Modern Rhetorical Theory
CA 670, Rhetoric and Political Theory
CA 774, Feminist Rhetorical Theory and Criticism
CA 962, Philosophy of Rhetoric
CA 964, Seminar in Classical Rhetorical Theory
CA 966, Seminar in Contemporary Rhetorical Theory

Criticism

CA 476, Nature of Criticism: The Public Arts of Communication
CA 576, Principles of Rhetorical Criticism
CA 674, Rhetorical Analysis
CA 774, Feminist Rhetorical Theory and Criticism
CA 976, Seminar in Rhetorical Criticism

Public Discourse

CA 610, Special Topics in Rhetoric
CA 667, History of American Public Address
CA 675, Rhetoric of Women’s Social and Political Discourse
CA 967, Seminar in Public Discourse

Option Three

Students pursuing a minor tailored to their specific program of research should select in consultation with their minor advisor from among the courses listed above.