Communication and Rhetorical Studies
Professor Adrienne E. Hacker Daniels
Associate Professor Adam C. Jones
Associate Professor Christopher J. Oldenburg
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
Courses
CO 101: Speech Fundamentals
CO 204: Communication Theory
CO 210: Business Communication
CO 214: Advertising and Public Relations
CO 220: The Rhetorical Tradition
CO 224: Rhetorical Criticism
CO 225: Interpersonal Communication
CO 226: Intercultural Communication
CO 230: Organizational Communication
CO 235: Strategic Communication and Social Media
CO 240: Introduction to Mass Communication
CO 252: Competitive Debate and Speech
CO 260: Communication Research & Methods
CO 311: Argumentation & Debate
CO 314: Freedom of Expression
CO 315: Communication Ethics
CO 324: American Public Address
CO 325: Public Relations in Practice
CO 330: Developing Talent and Intercultural Competence
CO 336: Rhetoric of Women’s Discourse
CO 353: Communication and Leadership in Teams
CO 381: Health Communication
CO 388: Special Topics in Communication Studies
CO 415: Senior Seminar in Communication
This course will serve as the capstone course for all Senior-level students majoring in Communication and Rhetorical Studies. In addition, a strong emphasis will be placed on undergraduate research. Specifically, students will be asked to research relevant communication topics from either the social scientific or humanistic perspectives during the semester and formally present their scholarly findings. As part of the capstone experience in this course, students will also be asked to synthesize their previous coursework and critically reflect on their experiences in the Communication and Rhetorical Studies program.
CO 461: Independent Study in Communications
Advanced study in some aspect of the communications field.
CO 462: Independent Study in Communications
Advanced study in some aspect of the communications field.
CO 463: Internship in Communications
An internship in some aspect of the communication field.
CO 464: Internship in Communications
An internship in some aspect of the communication field.
CO 520: Leadership and Instructional Communication
The overall focus of this course is to help students explore the various leadership and instructional communication skills and knowledge that are foundational for effective learning to occur across any and all educational settings. Specifically, students will learn about the founding perspectives of leadership and instructional communication scholarship, examine the different contexts of leadership and instructional communication research (e.g., leadership styles, teacher effectiveness, instructional strategies, teacher immediacy and credibility behaviors, etc.), and then apply the lessons learned in this course to the nursing educational setting. After completion of this course, students going into nursing leadership or educator roles will leave with a broad, interdisciplinary set of leadership and communication skills and knowledge that will help them be more clear, interesting, and engaging instructors. This, in turn, will ultimately help produce an even better “next generation” of nurses in the future.