The program will prepare graduates to:
Demonstrate the ability to analyze,
evaluate, and critique rhetorical messages.
- Analyze a rhetorical message taking into account its context,
purpose or genre, source credibility, content, structure and
style.
- Evaluate the efficacy of the message as to both its intrinsic
artfulness and extrinsic effects.
- Demonstrate understanding of rhetorical history.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the classical roots of rhetorical
practice and its development in European culture.
- Identify both the major periods and important figures in the
rhetorical tradition.
- Identify significant American rhetorical artifacts.
- Identify American rhetorical movements.
- Identify recurring rhetorical forms and themes.
Demonstrate understanding of rhetorical
theory.
- Demonstrate knowledge of theoretical perspectives, including
both classical (Aristotelian, Ciceronian) and contemporary
approaches (Burke, postmodern, feminist).
- Identify and order the central principles of rhetoric.
- Apply appropriate theoretical concepts to the understanding of
particular rhetorical messages.
Demonstrate skill and development in
rhetorical performance.
- Prepare and present rhetorical messages appropriate to
particular audiences.
- Demonstrate the ability to analyze an audience.
- Select methods and materials appropriate to influencing
particular audiences.