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Program Description
The Rhetoric Minor provides undergraduate students an opportunity to acquire special competence in the history, theory, and criticism of civic discourse and cultural practices. It brings together courses from both the Department of English and the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences, from which students may learn about the nature and function of rhetoric in politics, the professions, the classroom, and the media. The list of course offerings is designed to feature applied as well as theoretical approaches, and allows students to explore the subject in breadth as well as depth. Students completing the minor will command a greater knowledge of an appreciation for the significance of rhetoric as a central component of civic life.
You Might Like This Program If...
- You want to develop effective writing and speaking skills.
- You are interested in learning about persuasive communication.
- You want to learn effective methods of influence.
Program Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Requirements for the Minor | 18 |
Requirements for the Minor
A minimum of 6 credits at the 400 level; maximum of 6 credits may be double-counted.
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| CAS 301 | Rhetorical Theory  | 3 |
| ENGL 471 | Rhetorical Traditions | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Persuasion and Propaganda | ||
| Methods of Rhetorical Criticism | ||
| Rhetoric and Law | ||
| Rhetoric and Public Controversy | ||
| Rhetorical Criticism | ||
| Rhetoric of Film and Television | ||
| Rhetorical Theory | ||
| Communication Ethics | ||
| Studies in Public Address | ||
| Contemporary U.S. Political Rhetoric | ||
| Advanced Nonfiction Writing | ||
| Science Writing | ||
| The Editorial Process | ||
| Writing for the Web | ||
| Current Theories of Writing and Reading | ||
| Rhetorical Approaches to Discourse | ||
| Issues in Rhetoric and Composition | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 3 credits of the following in consultation with adviser: | 3 | |
| Research Topics | ||
or ENGL 310 | ||
| Foreign Studies | ||
or ENGL 499 | Foreign Study--English | |
| Senior Seminar | ||
| Undergraduate Field Experience or Practicum | ||
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Liberal Arts Academic Advising
814-865-2545
Use the Liberal Arts Meet the Academic Advisers web page to see the contact information for the specific adviser(s) of this program
Career Paths
CAS students are change makers: analysts, strategists, persuaders, facilitators, collaborators, connectors, and scholars. The CAS minor serves as a valuable supplement to a wide array of majors, and helps to equip students for success in the work force, graduate school, and civic life. CAS courses provide students with the theories, methods, practical tools, and experiences to understand the roots of social conflict and the sources of well-being.
Careers
A CAS undergraduate minor helps to prepare students for careers in academics, law, sales, corporate communication, health and human services, community activism, and digital technology. Students graduating from CAS studies may work as analysts, strategists, facilitators, collaborators, or negotiators.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES WITH A MINOR IN RHETORIC
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
The CAS minors supplement a wide variety of major fields in its preparation of students for graduate study in communication science or rhetoric, as well as in law, public policy, behavioral science, health and human services, human development, business, social work, and other related fields.
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION ARTS AND SCIENCES
234 Sparks Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-3461
sas519@psu.edu