[Theater and Rhetoric]

The major in rhetoric offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of human communication. Students complete a series of core courses in rhetorical theory and criticism, history of public address, and film and television studies, complemented by courses on language, media, and communication drawn from the curricula of other departments. All students complete a senior thesis.

Cross-listed Courses. Note that unless otherwise specified, when a department/program references a course or unit in the department/program, it includes courses and units cross-listed with the department/program.

Major Requirements. Students must choose a concentration in either rhetorical theory and criticism or in film and television studies. Each major consists of eleven courses distributed as follows:

Rhetorical Theory and Criticism. Required core courses:
1) RHET 155. What is Rhetoric?

2) One of the following:
    RHET 185. Public Discourse.
    RHET 291. Introduction to Argumentation.

3) One of the following:
    RHET 257. Rhetorical Criticism.
    RHET 276. Television Criticism.

4) One of the following:
    RHET 260. Lesbian and Gay Images in Film.
    RHET 265. The Rhetoric of Women's Rights.

5) One of the following:
    RHET 162. White Redemption: Cinema and the Co-optation of African American History.
    RHET 275. African American Public Address.
    RHET 386. Language and Communication of Black Americans.

6) One of the following:
    RHET 390. Contemporary Rhetoric.
    RHET 391. Topics in Rhetorical Criticism.

7) RHET 457 and/or 458. Senior Thesis.

8) Students are also required to complete at least one course from each of the following areas. No single course may be used to complete more than one requirement. No more than one Short Term unit may be counted toward the major.

a) Theories of Communication:
    ANTH 333. Culture and Interpretation.
    CMS 231. Litigation in Classical Athens.
    PHIL 195. Introduction to Logic.
    PHIL 235. Philosophy of Mind and Language.
    PSYC 380. Social Cognition.
    RHET 150. Trials of Conscience.
    RHET 160. Classical Rhetoric.

b) Representation:
    ART 225. Iconography: Meaning in the Visual Arts from Late Antiquity to the Renaissance.
    ART 287. Women, Gender, Visual Culture.
    ART 288. Visualizing Race.
    ART 375. Issues of Sexuality and the Study of Visual Culture.
    ART s32. The Photograph as Document.
    RHET 195. Documentary Production.
    RHET s18. Goldberg's Canon: Makin' Whoopi.
    RHET s30. Television Criticism: Prime-Time Women.
    RHET s32. Conspiracy Rhetoric.
    THEA 102. An Introduction to Film.
    THEA 110. Women in Film.
    THEA 225. The Grain of the Black Image.
    THEA 226. Minority Images in Hollywood Film.

c) Social and Political Movements:
    HIST 261. American Protest in the Twentieth Century.
    PHIL/REL 212. Contemporary Moral Disputes.
    POLS 346. Power and Protest.
    POLS 352. Women as Political Subjects.
    REL 247. City upon the Hill.

d) Critical Methods:
    ENG 295. Critical Theory
    INDS 250. Interdisciplinary Studies: Methods and Modes of Inquiry.

Film and Television Studies. Required core courses:
1) RHET 155. What is Rhetoric?

2) RHET 162. White Redemption: Cinema and the Co-optation of African American History

3) One of the following:
    RHET 185. Public Discourse.
    RHET 291. Introduction to Argumentation.

4) RHET 260. Lesbian and Gay Images in Film.

5) RHET 276. Television Criticism.

6) One of the following:
    RHET 390. Contemporary Rhetoric.
    RHET 391. Topics in Rhetorical Criticism.

7) RHET 457 and/or 458 Senior Thesis.

8) Students are required to complete three film and television studies courses from among the following. No more than one Short Term unit may be counted toward the major.
    ANTH 155. Cinematic Portraits of Africa.
    ENG 395W. Lyric Film.
    FRE s36. The Evolution of French Cinema.
    HIST s25. The German Cinema.
    MUS s29. American Musicals in Film.
    POLS s22. Politics of Cultural Production: African Films and Filmmaking.
    REL 100. Religion and Film.
    RHET s18. Goldberg's Canon: Makin' Whoopi.
    RHET s30. Television Criticism: Prime-Time Women.
    RUSS s26. Russian and Soviet Film.
    SPAN 355. Un curso de cine.
    THEA 102. An Introduction to Film.
    THEA 110. Women in Film.
    THEA 226. Minority Images in Hollywood Film.
    THEA 242. Screenwriting.

9) Students are also required to complete one critical methods course from the following:
    ENG 294. Storytelling.
    ENG 295. Critical Theory.
    INDS 250. Interdisciplinary Studies: Methods and Modes of Inquiry.

Pass/Fail Grading Option. There are no restrictions on the use of the pass/fail option within the major.

Secondary Concentration in Rhetoric. The secondary concentration consists of six courses. A coherent program for each student's secondary concentration is designed in accord with the following guidelines and in consultation with a member of the rhetoric faculty who is chosen or appointed as the student's departmental advisor for the secondary concentration.

The courses or units required for the secondary concentration in rhetoric include:
1) RHET 155. What is Rhetoric?

2) One of the following:
    RHET 255. Rhetorical Criticism.
    RHET 276. Television Criticism.

3) One of the following:
    RHET 162. White Redemption: Cinema and the Co-optation of African American History.
    RHET 275. African American Public Address.
    RHET 386. Language and Communication of Black Americans.

4) One of the following:
    RHET 260. Lesbian and Gay Images in Film.
    RHET 265. The Rhetoric of Women's Rights.

5) One of the following:
    RHET 185. Public Discourse.
    RHET 291. Introduction to Argumentation.

6) One of the following:
    RHET 390. Contemporary Rhetoric.
    RHET 391. Topics in Rhetorical Criticism.

General Education. Any one rhetoric Short Term unit may serve as an option for the fifth humanities course.

Courses

RHET 155. What is Rhetoric? Although the oldest discipline, rhetoric may be the least understood. Aristotle defined rhetoric as "the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion." In this course, students conduct a historical survey of rhetorical theory from classical times to the present. Rhetorical artifacts examined include political speeches, television programs, print advertisements, editorials, music, film, and Internet sites. Required of all majors. Enrollment limited to 30. Normally offered every year. S. Kelley-Romano.

CM/RH 160. Classical Rhetoric. The Romans ran the ancient world by the sword, but also by the word. This course explores how they did the latter. Readings include classical works about rhetoric, examples of classical oratory, and the variety of exercises by which the practice of rhetoric was taught. Writing assignments include analyses of speeches by classical orators, as well as a range of ancient rhetorical exercises such as fables, speeches of praise and invective, persuasive speeches to historical figures, and mock courtroom speeches. The course concludes with an examination of the Gettysburg Address and consideration of its debt to classical rhetorical theory. All readings are in English. Not open to students who have received credit for Classical and Medieval Studies 160 or Rhetoric 160. Offered with varying frequency. M. Imber.

AA/RH 162. White Redemption: Cinema and the Co-optation of African American History. Since its origins in the early twentieth century, film has debated how to represent black suffering. This course examines one aspect of that debate: the persistent themes of white goodness, innocence, and blamelessness in films that are allegedly about black history and culture. Historical and cultural topics examined in film include the enslavement of Africans, Reconstruction, and the civil rights movement. Particular attention is given to films in the interracial male buddy genre. Not open to students who have received credit for African American Studies 160 or Rhetoric 160. Normally offered every year. C. Nero.

RHET 185. Public Discourse. This course is designed to develop an awareness of and skill in the techniques needed by a speaker in varying situations, from the large gathering to the small group. Students analyze and compose public speeches on various political issues. Enrollment limited to 24. Normally offered every year. Staff.

RHET 195. Documentary Production. This course provides an introduction to documentary production, including videography, sound, lighting, and editing. Students learn both to produce documentaries and to recognize the importance of production decisions in shaping the meanings and influence of documentaries. Students collaboratively produce short documentaries on subjects of their own design. Recommended background: prior production experience and course work in film criticism. Enrollment limited to 16. Written permission of the instructor is required. Offered with varying frequency. Staff.

RHET 257. Rhetorical Criticism. In this course, students apply rhetorical theories to a variety of artifacts to understand the unique insights afforded by rhetorical studies. Students write, present, and discuss papers in which they apply and analyze different rhetorical perspectives. Rhetorical artifacts examined include political speeches, campaign advertising, television, print advertisements, editorials, music, film, Internet sites, and social movement rhetoric. Prerequisite(s): Rhetoric 155. Open to first-year students. Normally offered every other year. S. Kelley-Romano.

RHET 260. Lesbian and Gay Images in Film. This course investigates the representation of lesbians and gays in film from the Golden Age of Hollywood to the contemporary independent filmmaking movement. Topics may include the effect of the "closet" on Hollywood film, homophobic imagery, international queer films, "camp" as a visual and narrative code for homosexuality, the independent filmmaking movement, and the debates about queer visibility in contemporary mass market and independent films. Open to first-year students. Normally offered every other year. C. Nero.

RHET 265. The Rhetoric of Women's Rights. Prior to the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920, women were almost totally without political, economic, or social power. Because of their situation, women necessarily employed rhetorical means to attain the goal of women's suffrage. This course is a study of the oratory of the women's suffrage movement. Specifically, it highlights the barriers women faced and how they dealt with those difficulties rhetorically. Students learn and apply the tools of rhetorical criticism in order to identify, describe, and evaluate the speakers of the movement and their ideas. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 30. Normally offered every other year. S. Kelley-Romano.

RHET 275. African American Public Address. This course is a study of the history of oratory by African American women and men. Students examine religious, political, and ceremonial speeches. Historical topics include the abolition of slavery, Reconstruction, suffrage, the black women's club movement, Garveyism, and the civil rights and Black Power movements. Contemporary topics include affirmative action, gender politics, poverty, education, and racial identity. Open to first-year students. Normally offered every year. C. Nero.

RHET 276. Television Criticism. This course examines the representational strategies employed by television to convey social messages. The goals of the course are twofold: first, to acquaint students with the basic theoretical premises of rhetorical approaches to television; and second, to provide students an opportunity for critical and original research. Possible televisual texts include prime-time dramas, situation comedies, soap operas, talk shows, news programming, and sporting events. Prerequisite(s): one of the following: Rhetoric 155, 185, or 291. Open to first-year students. Normally offered every other year. S. Kelley-Romano.

RHET 291. Introduction to Argumentation. An examination of the theory and practice of argumentation. This course explores argument theory from antiquity to the present and gives students the opportunity to develop skills in structured academic debates. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 20. Normally offered every year. R. Brito.

RHET 360. Independent Study. Students, in consultation with a faculty advisor, individually design and plan a course of study or research not offered in the curriculum. Course work includes a reflective component, evaluation, and completion of an agreed-upon product. Sponsorship by a faculty member in the program/department, a course prospectus, and permission of the chair are required. Students may register for no more than one independent study per semester. Normally offered every semester. Staff.

RHET 365. Special Topics. Offered occasionally in selected subjects. Offered with varying frequency. Staff.

RHET 386. Language and Communication of Black Americans. Charles Dickens wrote in 1842 that "all the women who have been bred in slave states speak more or less like Negroes, from having been constantly in their childhood with black nurses." This course examines the linguistic practices of African Americans alluded to by Dickens. Readings focus on the historical development of "Black English" as a necessary consequence of contact between Europeans and Africans in the New World; on patterns and styles of African American communication such as call-and-response, signifying, and preaching; and on sociopolitical issues such as naming traditions, racial/ethnic identity, gender and language acquisition, and education and employment policy. Enrollment limited to 15. Offered with varying frequency. C. Nero.

RHET 390. Contemporary Rhetoric. A seminar devoted to the close textual analysis of recent and provocative political discourse. The texts for analysis are drawn from various media, including controversial political speeches, documentaries, music, and advertising. This course is designed to offer students extensive personal experience in criticism and to introduce key concepts in critical theory and practice. Enrollment limited to 15. Written permission of the instructor is required. Offered with varying frequency. Staff.

RHET 391. Topics in Rhetorical Criticism. The topic varies from semester to semester. The seminar relies largely upon individual student research, reports, and discussion. Enrollment limited to 15. Offered with varying frequency.

RHET 391A. The Rhetoric of Alien Abduction. This seminar examines the discourse surrounding UFOs and alien abduction. Texts are drawn from various media including print, television, film, and the Internet. Topics for discussion revolve around issues of social influence and popular culture. The course examines conspiracy, narrative, television criticism, the Internet, the rhetoric of outer space, and intertextuality. Prerequisite(s): one course in rhetoric. Recommended background: Rhetoric 331 or a criticism course. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 15. Offered with varying frequency. S. Kelley-Romano.

RHET 391B. Presidential Campaign Rhetoric. In this course, students explore the wide array of discourse surrounding presidential campaigns. Texts examined include political speeches, political advertisements, debates, and news reporting on the campaign. Special attention is paid to newspaper and television coverage of candidates and the development of image. Prerequisite(s): Rhetoric 155 or 185. Offered with varying frequency. S. Kelley-Romano.

AA/RH 391C. The Harlem Renaissance. This course examines the New Negro Movement and the extraordinary creativity in the arts and in other aspects of intellectual life by African Americans in the 1920s and 1930s. Although this cultural phenomenon was national in scope, most scholars agree that New York City, and Harlem in particular, was its epicenter. Topics include: racial, gender, and cultural identities in literature, theater, the performing and visual arts; the formation of black queer culture; and the role in promoting the arts by political organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). Prerequisite(s): one of the following: English 250, Rhetoric 275, or History 243. Enrollment limited to 15. Not open to students who have received credit for African American Studies 390A. Offered with varying frequency. C. Nero.

RHET 457, 458. Senior Thesis. A substantial academic or artistic project. Students register for Rhetoric 457 in the fall semester or for Rhetoric 458 in the winter semester. Majors writing an honors thesis register for both Rhetoric 457 and 458. Normally offered every year. Staff.

Short Term Units

RHET s18. Goldberg's Canon: Makin' Whoopi. Whoopi Goldberg has been a locus of cultural contradictions since her arrival in the public's consciousness. Her dark skin and perennially nappy hair defy cultural standards about female beauty, yet she is one of a handful of actresses who can open big budget Hollywood films. The same Hollywood film industry acknowledges her as a "leading lady," yet it has seldom given her "leading lady" roles. This course examines Goldberg's film and television performances, her career as a humorist, and her controversial persona as an antagonistic public figure. Some of the social and cultural issues students address in this unit include skin color and hair texture chauvinism, the grotesque and the comical, racial and gender stereotypes, black lesbianism, and discourses about the black female body. Enrollment limited to 30. Offered with varying frequency. C. Nero.

RHET s21. Documentary Video Production. In this unit, students direct and produce video documentaries on subjects of their own selection. Classic documentaries are viewed and discussed in class. Students make weekly presentations of their work-in-progress and analyze the works of others. Prior coursework or production experience in film or video is recommended. Enrollment limited to 12. Written permission of the instructor is required. Offered with varying frequency. Staff.

EN/RH s29. Place, Word, Sound: New Orleans. This unit offers an interdisciplinary and experiential approach to the study of New Orleans, the most African city in continental North America. The goal of the unit is to understand the impact of place on culture and aesthetic practices, learn how institutions represent New World and creole transformations of Africanity, and introduce students to historical and contemporary debates about African influences in the United States. Students examine cultural memory, questions of power, and definitions of cultural terrain as expressed in literature, art, music, and architecture. In addition to attending the seven-day Jazz and Heritage Festival, students visit various sites of literary, cultural, and historical significance to New Orleans. Recommended background: a course in African American Studies offered in English, Music, Rhetoric, or African American Studies. Enrollment is limited to 16. Written permission of the instructor is required. C. Nero, K. Ruffin. New unit beginning Short Term 2003.

RHET s30. Television Criticism: Prime-Time Women. In this unit, television programs are examined to understand how they negotiate social issues. Specifically, rhetorical approaches to television are employed to underscore the usefulness of critical attention to television discourse. Programs such as The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Bewitched, Charlie's Angels, The Honeymooners, I Dream of Jeannie, and Murphy Brown are examined to reveal how women's roles have been articulated and represented to the American public. The development of feminist themes are then examined in contemporary television programs, such as Law and Order, The X-Files, Ally McBeal, Friends, and Sex and the City, to assess the current condition of "prime-time women." Prerequisite(s): one course in rhetoric. Recommended background: a course in criticism/critical methods. Enrollment limited to 30. Offered with varying frequency. S. Kelley-Romano.

RHET s31. Conspiracy Rhetoric. "Just because you're paranoid does not mean they're not out to get you." This unit examines the rhetoric that has surrounded conspiracy theories in American culture. Specifically students focus on the argumentative form as well as the social functions of conspiracy discourse. Particular attention is paid to those conspiracies that surround UFO and alien abductions discourse. Prerequisite: at least one rhetoric course. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 15. Written permission of the instructor is required. Offered with varying frequency. S. Kelley-Romano.

RHET s50. Independent Study. Students, in consultation with a faculty advisor, individually design and plan a course of study or research not offered in the curriculum. Course work includes a reflective component, evaluation, and completion of an agreed-upon product. Sponsorship by a faculty member in the program/department, a course prospectus, and permission of the chair are required. Students may register for no more than one independent study during a Short Term. Normally offered every year. Staff.

[Theater and Rhetoric]

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Last Modified: 11/26/02 by mkm