RHET - Rhetoric

This institutional credit course is required for all first-year students. By providing an overview of academic policies, campus resources, and general graduation guidelines, the seminar is designed to help students succeed in their university endeavors. In addition, the seminar will focus on building skills in preparation for completing the major requirements. This course does not count toward the total hours for graduation.

A study of the basic principles governing effective speaking, emphasizing student speeches with informative and persuasive purposes.

A study of leadership, group processes, communication, and management of discussion. Both presentation skills and decision-making skills will be stressed. Course will examine problem solving and conflict resolution through small group dynamics.

Examines speech in the mass media, looking at techniques for effective delivery, intelligibility, and presence.

Prerequisite: RHET 1110. A study of communication theories, systems, models, formulations, and measurements; new dimensions in speech criticism and research methodology; critical study of published reports in the contemporary literature of the field.

Prerequisite: RHET 1110 or permission of instructor. This special topics course will provide the student with an opportunity to practice the skills and principles of rhetoric outside of the university classroom setting. Examples may include but are not limited to the following: facilitating community dialogues examining potential solutions to a variety of problems, organizing college student outreaches, and facilitating community learning projects.

Prerequisite: RHET 1110. A study of the rhetoric of persuasion from its most ethical uses in government, law, and society, to its misuses. Students will present several types of persuasive presentations.

Prerequisite: RHET 1110. Discipline-related or interdisciplinary service-learning project developed in consultation with a faculty advisor or group of faculty advisors with assistance from the Office of Academic Engagement.

Argumentation and debate principles, with application to written analysis, briefs, speeches, and debates. Analysis of an issue, reasoning and evidence, in depth research, and oral delivery.

Prerequisite: RHET 1110. An introduction to the varieties of informative speaking from the briefing to the lecture. Demonstrations, progress reports, and problem analysis will be examined.

Prerequisite: RHET 1110. Examines communication within organizational structures. The course looks at interviewing techniques, conducting group meetings, and making formal presentations.

A study and application of basic communication concepts and theories in interactive communication situations from the personal to the organizational level.

Theory and practice in the process of dialogic engagement with emphasis on the student as performer.

A study of narrative, or storytelling, as a way of communicating in conversation, oral performance, and literature: what stories are told to whom, how stories are told, and the forms and functions of narrative. Considers narrative in a variety of communication settings.

Prerequisite: RHET 1110. Examines communication practices in multi-cultural settings including international, national, regional, ethnic, racial, economic, and religious. The focus will be on observational and research activities involving intercultural communication differences.

Prerequisite: Rhetoric major or minor. This course will examine selected genres and forms of oral traditional narrative through the art of storytelling performance.

A focus on research methodologies, ethical and legal challenges, and approaches in documentary work.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Participation in on and/or off-campus forensics tournaments. Students work with the forensics coaching staff in the areas of debate, limited preparation speaking, public address or interpretation,and participate in tournaments.

Introduction to theory and research in Instructional Communication. Students will explore the major paradigms of recent research on teacher effectiveness and communication in instructional settings, examine a variety of selected lines of programmatic research in Instructional Communication, and conduct an original research project focused on an aspect of communication in the classroom.

Prerequisite: RHET 2350. Historical overview and analysis of the classical foundations of Western rhetorical theory with an emphasis on Greek and Roman contributions. Students will have the opportunity to apply classical rhetorical theories and principles to contemporary issues.

Prerequisite RHET 2350 or permission of instructor. An examination of theory and practice of humor and comedy within a given performative tradition. Looks at various genres of comedic discourse, and examines the implications for the individual and the culture.

Prerequisite: RHET 2350. This course provides a survey of major rhetorical themes and theories in contemporary rhetorical theory. Students will use rhetorical theory as a lens through which to understand their social worlds.

An examination of theory, practice, and history of the performance of poetry. The course covers poetry reading, the oral interpretation of poetry, and slam poetry.

Prerequisite: RHET 2350. A study of significant rhetorical dimensions and issues in American history.

Prerequisite: RHET 2350. A study designed to develop a student's ability to criticize public discourse, including speeches, written work, and the mass media.

Prerequisite: Instructor approval. Topics of special interest not normally offered in the Rhetoric curriculum. This course is repeatable for credit.

Research, writing, and presentation of a substantial scholarly/creative project developed in conjunction with a faculty advisor or group of faculty advisors.

See the International Studies section of the catalog for details. This course is repeatable for credit.

An application of rhetorical praxis to a specific situation. This course is to be taken in the student's last semester.

Research project undertaken as preparation for a scholarly or creative presentation.