Public Relations Track:

The Public Relations Society of America has developed guidelines for undergraduates wishing to enter the field of public relations. Students should consult an advisor within the department to determine what additional courses will be necessary to meet these guidelines.

Rhetoric and Public Communication

This concentration introduces students to the history, principles, and practices of traditional rhetoric. The concentration derives its theoretical foundation from the works of classical rhetoric. It is a performance-centered concentration in which students research, write, deliver, and analyze public discourse. Each course emphasizes adaptation of messages to diverse audiences, usually found in formal, deliberative settings.

All students concentrating in Rhetoric and Public Communication are required to take the following three courses (9 credits):

COM 204

Argumentation and Debate

COM 300

Communication Criticism

COM 301

Persuasion

In addition, Rhetoric concentrators will take 9 credits selected from the following courses:

COM 201

Advanced Public Speaking

COM 203

Small Group Communication

COM 206

Business and Professional Communication

COM 302

Fundamentals of Public Relations

COM 398

Topics in Presidential Campaign Rhetoric

COM 399

or

CPE 399

Internship (Only three credits of Internship may count in the concentration.)

Writing Requirement (6 credits):

COM 260

Basic Newswriting

Eng 202

Technical Writing

Up one level:

Department of Communication Studies