Rhetoric combines ethical concern for contemporary issues with artful public persuasion. It reflects our department's strong philosophical and humanities focus. Argumentation and persuasion are skills fundamental to this major and are informed by rhetorical theory and philosophy of communication. As a Rhetoric major, you will analyze the practice of these theories in areas such as religion, free speech, organizational communication, and popular culture.
Rhetoric offers a rigorous liberal arts education with practical implications. Students can develop competencies in areas like debate, argumentation, persuasion, rhetoric and popular culture, philosophy of communication, free speech and responsibility, and political communication. Rhetoric majors pursue careers in law, public policy, health policy and administration, or business and, through an enhanced major, work in countless other fields.