The Department of Communication and Rhetorical
Studies administers a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in
Communication and Rhetorical Studies, with emphases in Organizational
Communication or Rhetorical Studies, and minors in Organizational
Communication and Rhetorical Studies.
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in
Communication and Rhetorical Studies
The primary objectives related to the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of
Science programs in Communication and Rhetorical Studies are to help
all students develop the following:
1. The ability to engage in critical
thinking.
2. The ability to communicate effectively in writing.
3. The ability to communicate effectively through
oral presentation.
4. The ability to construct and evaluate persuasive
messages.
5. The ability to use effective information research
strategies.
6. An understanding of the role of communication in
interpersonal settings.
7. An understanding of the role of communication in
group settings.
8. An understanding of the role of communication in
organizational settings.
9. An understanding of the role of communication in
historical/current events.
10. Knowledge and skill applicable in graduates’ professional
lives.
11. Knowledge and skill applicable to graduates’ personal lives.
The Communication and Rhetorical Studies curriculum is structured on
the basic assumption that people’s ability to communicate
orally in an effective manner is vital to successful social
interaction. Two areas of emphasis are offered: Rhetorical Studies and
Organizational Communication. The area of Rhetorical Studies is
the humanistic study of speech from its origins in ancient Greece to
the role of rhetoric in shaping the modern world. Organizational
Communication is the social scientific study of the role of
communication in the creation of interpersonal, small group, and
organizational structures. In both areas of emphasis, our
program is designed to meet a fourfold purpose: to study the nature and
process of oral communication; to develop the student’s ability
to communicate clearly, confidently, and rationally; to understand the
critical role of rhetoric in shaping historical events; to understand
the methods of the social sciences and analyze communication
situations according to those methods. Students who study in our
program receive a broad liberal arts background which may lead to
careers in law, business, public relations, management, teaching, the
ministry, politics, broadcasting, personnel work, and public
administration.
Select one of the following emphases --
Organizational Communication
or
Rhetorical Studies
Emphasis in Organizational
Communication
Required Major Core Courses:
COMM 2201 Business and Professional Speaking 3 cr
COMM 2208 Group Communication 3 cr
COMM 3305 Argumentation and Debate 3 cr
COMM 3308 Persuasion 3 cr
COMM 4408 Communication Theory 3 cr
COMM 4436 Rhetorical Criticism 3 cr
COMM 4437 Rhetorical Theory 3 cr
COMM 4441 Interpersonal Communication 3 cr
Required Organizational Communication Emphasis Courses:
COMM 2254 Organizational Communication 3 cr
COMM 4452 Conflict Management 3 cr
COMM 4454 Management Communication 3 cr
Organizational Communication Emphasis Electives: (Must take 12
credits from the following:)
COMM 3313 Academic Internship 1-6 cr
COMM 3355 Nonverbal Communication 3 cr
COMM 4440 Gender and Communication 3 cr
COMM 4442 American Rhetoric and Public Address 3 cr
COMM 4447 Rhetoric of Hitler and Churchill 3 cr
COMM 4451 Recent Rhetorical Issues 3 cr
TOTAL: 45 cr
Emphasis in Rhetorical Studies
Required Major Core Courses:
COMM 2201 Business and Professional Speaking 3 cr
COMM 2208 Group Communication 3 cr
COMM 3305 Argumentation and Debate 3 cr
COMM 3308 Persuasion 3 cr
COMM 4408 Communication Theory 3 cr
COMM 4436 Rhetorical Criticism 3 cr
COMM 4437 Rhetorical Theory 3 cr
COMM 4441 Interpersonal Communication 3 cr
Required Rhetorical Studies Emphasis Courses:
COMM 4442 American Rhetoric and Public Address 3 cr
COMM 4447 Rhetoric of Hitler and Churchill 3 cr
COMM 4451 Recent Rhetorical Issues 3 cr
Rhetorical Studies Electives (Must take 12 credits from the
following:)
COMM 2254 Organizational Communication 3 cr
COMM 3313 Internship 1-6 cr
COMM 3355 Nonverbal Communication 3 cr
COMM 4440 Gender and Communication 3 cr
COMM 4452 Conflict Management 3 cr
COMM 4454 Management Communication 3 cr
TOTAL: 45 cr
The Department offers Minors in
Organizational Communication
and in
Rhetorical Studies.
Minor in Organizational
Communication
Required Minor Core Courses:
COMM 3305 Argumentation and Debate 3 cr
COMM 3308 Persuasion 3 cr
COMM 4441 Interpersonal Communication 3 cr
Required Organizational Communication Minor Courses:
COMM 2254 Organizational Communication 3 cr
COMM 4454 Management Communication 3 cr
Organizational Communication Minor Electives: (Must take 6 credits
from the following):
COMM 2201 Business and Professional Speaking 3 cr
COMM 2208 Group Communication 3 cr
COMM 3313 Internship 1-3 cr
COMM 3355 Nonverbal Communication 3 cr
COMM 4408 Communication Theory 3 cr
COMM 4452 Conflict Management 3 cr
TOTAL: 21 cr
Minor in Rhetorical Studies
Required Minor Core Courses:
COMM 3305 Argumentation and Debate 3 cr
COMM 3308 Persuasion 3 cr
COMM 4441 Interpersonal Communication 3 cr
Required Rhetorical Studies Minor Courses:
COMM 4436 Rhetorical Criticism 3 cr
COMM 4437 Rhetorical Theory 3 cr
Rhetorical Studies Minor Electives: (Must take 6 credits from
the following):
COMM 2201 Business and Professional Speaking 3 cr
COMM 3313 Internship 1-3 cr
COMM 4408 Communication Theory 3 cr
COMM 4442 American Rhetoric and Public Address 3 cr
COMM 4447 Rhetoric of Hitler and Churchill 3 cr
COMM 4451 Recent Rhetorical Issues 3 cr
TOTAL: 21 cr
Communication and Rhetorical Studies Courses
COMM 1101 Principles of Speech 3 credits. Basic course in oral
communication that emphasizes the theory and practice of informative
speaking, logical argumentation, persuasion, small group discussion,
and interpersonal communication. Designed to explain the humanistic
nature of human communication and to improve a student’s ability
to express ideas orally. Satisfies Goal 2 of the General Education
Requirements. F, S
COMM 1115 Intercollegiate Debate 1-3 credits. Students prepare
for regional- and national-level intercollegiate debate tournament
competition. Students may receive up to eight credits in speech and
drama activities. PREREQ: Debate team member. F
COMM 1116 Intercollegiate Debate 1-3 credits. Students prepare for
regional- and national-level intercollegiate debate tournament
competition. Students may receive up to eight credits in speech and
drama activities. PREREQ: Debate team member. S
COMM 2201 Business and Professional Speaking 3 credits. Advanced
speech course emphasizes practical speaking needs of business and
professional people. PREREQ: COMM 1101. F, S
COMM 2208 Group Communication 3 credits. Examines the process of
human communication among members of organized groups. Topics studied
include leadership development, norms, roles, cohesion, problem-solving
techniques, and conflict. S
COMM 2254 Organizational Communication 3 credits. Survey course
covering the development of the organizational communication field.
Students are introduced to various perspectives and theories for
understanding and evaluating the role of communication in
organizational systems. F
COMM 3305 Argumentation and Debate 3 credits. Study of argument,
analysis, evidence, reasoning, fallacies, briefing, and delivery. S
COMM 3308 Persuasion 3 credits. Advanced theory and performance
course emphasizing principles of message composition, persuasive
campaigns, and methods affecting attitude change in public
communication. F
COMM 3313 Internship 1-6 credits. Department approval required.
Directed field experience with an approved agency. Learning contract
required. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. PREREQ: Permission of
instructor and department. F, S
COMM 3315 Intercollegiate Debate 1-3 credits. Students prepare for
regional- and national-level intercollegiate debate tournament
competition. Students may receive up to eight credits in speech and
drama activities. PREREQ: Debate team member. F
COMM 3316 Intercollegiate Debate 1-3 credits. Students prepare for
regional- and national-level intercollegiate debate tournament
competition. Students may receive up to eight credits in speech and
drama activities. PREREQ: Debate team member. S
COMM 3355 Nonverbal Communication 3 credits. Explores the
various dimensions of human interaction which supplement the verbal
medium. Students study the dimensions of paralinguistics, time, space,
form, and action, and develop an awareness of their own and
others’ behavior. F
COMM 4408 Communication Theory 3 credits. Examines models of
social science and how these contribute to the development of
communication theory. Examines a variety of communication theories in
interpersonal, small group, organizational contexts. Focus on
history of theory development in communication. S
COMM 4436 Rhetorical Criticism 3 credits. Study and application
of various theories and methods of rhetorical criticism including
Aristotelian and Burkeian principles. PREREQ: COMM 4437 or permission
of instructor. S
COMM 4437 Rhetorical Theory 3 credits. Principal rhetorical
theories from the Greeks through the 18th century and contemporary
American theorists. Writings of Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Quintilian,
Campbell, Blair, Whately, and Burke are stressed. F
COMM 4440 Gender and Communication 3 credits. Course examines
communication arenas from a perspective that focuses on gender and
includes study of similarities and differences in female/male patterns.
Topics include nonverbal, organizational, language, family and
friendship. S
COMM 4441 Interpersonal Communication 3 credits. Largely
theoretical course, drawing from research in social sciences as well as
speech. Focuses on communication variables associated with
interpersonal communication including awareness of self/others,
nature/functions of language, nonverbal behavior, norms, and roles. F
COMM 4442 American Rhetoric and Public Address 3 credits. Has a
dual purpose: to study the impact of rhetoric (oral and written
persuasion) on major events in American history; to examine great
speakers and rhetorical documents in their historical context. S
COMM 4447 Rhetoric of Hitler and Churchill 3 credits. Rhetorical
theory and practice of these influential leaders and the impact of
their persuasion. Topics include Hitler’s oratory, Nazi
propaganda, and Churchill’s World War II speeches. F
COMM 4451 Recent Rhetorical Issues 3 credits. Study of the
rhetoric of contemporary issues such as the Vietnam War, the Black
Revolution, and other current political and social topics, including
the rhetoric of ongoing election campaigns. F
COMM 4452 Conflict Management 3 credits. Examines the dynamics of
everyday conflicts across a variety of settings, from personal to
organizational. Principles of conflict, similar across all
communicative contexts, are emphasized. Theory and its application are
given equal importance. F
COMM 4454 Management Communication 3 credits. Examines the
communication goals and functions unique to organizational
managers and leaders. Topics studied include socialization and
training, leader-member relationships, incentive-based systems of
motivation, employee identification and commitment, and organizational
development. S
COMM 4491 Independent Research Projects 1-3 credits. Under the
supervision of professors in the various areas of communication,
students will prepare reports and carry out projects designed to
promote professional growth. May be repeated for up to 6 credits.
PREREQ: Permission of instructor and department. F, S
