Learning Outcomes

  • Students will possess knowledge and proficiency in communication ethics.
  • Students will possess professional knowledge and intellectual agility within their chosen area of applied communication study.

Requirements for the
Ph.D. Degree

The Ph.D. in Rhetoric invites students to understand and engage rhetorical and philosophical communication assumptions. The 36 credit curriculum frames a "Rhetoric & Philosophy of . . ." communication program emphasizing a praxis understanding of communication that moves theory into application. After completing a core of theoretical courses, students will develop two major emphases of study in areas of applied communication, explored through rhetoric and the philosophy of communication.

Theoretical Core

The theoretically rigorous core in Rhetoric & the Philosophy of Communication is distinctive because it effectively applies enduring and emerging ideas from the humanities (rhetoric & philosophy) to marketplace problems and practices. Through completing the core curriculum, all graduates of the program will be qualified specialists in Rhetoric & the Philosophy of Communication.

The core includes the following courses:

  • COMM 604 Communication Ethics
  • COMM 609 Rhetorical Theory
  • COMM 611 Rhetoric & Hermeneutics
  • COMM 659 Philosophy of Communication

Applied Emphases

Each area of emphasis consists of three courses beyond the core. Select courses in two of the three areas.

Communication Ethics and Crisis in the Public Sphere

  • COMM 614 Rhetoric & Philosophy of Crisis Management
  • COMM 616 Rhetoric & Philosophy of Interpersonal/Intercultural Communication
  • COMM 626 Rhetoric & Philosophy of Free Speech

Integrated Marketing Communication/ Corporate Communication

  • COMM 605 Rhetoric & Philosophy of Public Relations and Advertising
  • COMM 617 Rhetoric & Philosophy of Organizational Communication and Leadership
  • COMM 636 Rhetoric & Philosophy of Integrated Marketing Communication

Rhetoric of Technology/Media Ecology

  • COMM 610 Rhetoric & Philosophy of Cyberspace
  • COMM 618 Rhetoric & Philosophy of Humanities and the Marketplace
  • COMM 628 Rhetoric & Philosophy of Technology

Comprehensive Examination

There are four areas of examination:

  • One area from the Core Curriculum
  • One area addressing the rhetorical and philosophical mission & praxis of the Ph.D. in Rhetoric
  • Two areas addressing the student's selected program emphases

The following elements describe the comprehensive examination process:

  • Students receive comprehensive exam questions at the beginning of the Spring semester
  • Students write exams over a two-day period
  • Faculty evaluate written examinations

Languages

In addition to satisfactory completion of all required coursework, students must demonstrate language proficiency by completing either of the following options:

  • Reading knowledge of one language
  • Six semesters of COMM 632 Hermeneutic Phenomenology (0 credits)

Dissertation

Students will work with their dissertation director to come up with a topic for the dissertation. The dissertation is defended to the dissertation director and committee members.