Courses

Most courses are considered either a rhetoric or communication studies course. Check major and minor requirements and course groupings for more information.

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