In addition to developing a critical consciousness of their own language use, students explore how rhetorical actions develop and are reinforced within communities, cultures, workplaces, professions, and classrooms. Core courses provide students with a foundation in rhetorical theory and advanced study in style, genre, writing for multiple audiences, and research technology. Students also have the opportunity for specialized study in public writing, technical writing, linguistics, legal writing, and teaching English as a second or foreign language. The concentration allows students the flexibility to combine work in rhetoric with work in literary studies, women s studies, critical theory, and ethnic and cultural studies. Students take two courses from the department's offerings, one of them in language, theory, cultural, ethnic, or gender studies, including teaching English as a second or foreign language.
Students also take four courses in literature from designated periods.
The writing and rhetoric concentration provides students with broad range of practical skills and a foundation for analyzing communication, culture, and technology. Students in this concentration have gone on to careers in college and university teaching. Students also take this concentration to prepare for a variety of professions, including law, medicine, professional writing, business, library science, political consulting, research, evaluation, public relations, advertising, publishing, editing, consulting, grant writing, labor organizing, and non-profit management. Top of Page Requirements 1. One other course in rhetoric or writing.