Communication and Rhetorical Studies
Professor Adrienne E. Hacker Daniels
Associate Professor Adam C. Jones
Associate Professor Christopher J. Oldenburg
Assistant Professor Anna Wright
Assistant Professor Mizuki Wyant
Instructor Shawna Merrill
The mission of the Communication and Rhetorical Studies Program is to cultivate in students theoretically grounded and highly developed competencies in the production, delivery, and criticism of diverse forms of human communication. It is the expectation of the department that students will use their communication expertise ethically in the pursuit of both personal growth and professional advancement as well as in the fulfillment of their duties as responsible citizens and community leaders.
Studies in Communication and Rhetorical Studies are the heir of a long and honored tradition. Since its inception in ancient Greece, the art of rhetoric (effective discourse) has consistently been recognized as a pillar of humane learning and assigned a foundational role within the liberal arts. Contemporary studies of communication and rhetoric focus on the construction, evaluation and use of communication theories, the criticism of communication practices, and the refinement of skills necessary for communicating effectively in a technology-permeated, multicultural world.
While the heart of the field’s self-understanding remains the humanistic rhetorical tradition, its broader contours also seek to integrate methodologies from the social sciences as well as to extend its collective insights into the application and criticism of diverse communication media.
Education in the rhetorical tradition and its intrinsically adaptive dynamics thus constitutes the conceptual core of the curriculum which integrates theory and practice and combines work in the classroom with co-curricular activities. Majors also learn to advance their understanding of communication processes through the use of empirical research methods as well as have an opportunity to develop communication expertise for a variety of contexts (interpersonal, professional, organizational, small group, and intercultural).
Majors & Programs
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Communication and Rhetorical Studies, Major -
Organizational & Strategic Communication, Major -
Communication and Rhetorical Studies, Minor