Ph.D. in Rhetoric

Program Overview

Duquesne University's Ph.D. in Rhetoric program equips students with a comprehensive understanding of rhetoric, its theoretical foundations, and practical applications. Through a core curriculum and specialized emphasis areas, students develop expertise in communication ethics, integrated marketing, and rhetoric of technology. The program prepares graduates for careers in academia, government, and the private sector, where they can effectively use language to influence, inform, and persuade.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Program Objectives:

• Train students in the nuances of classical rhetoric, modern rhetorical theory, political rhetoric, and how rhetoric comes to bear in the digital, cultural, and political landscapes of our time.
• Develop expertise in the art and study of using language effectively and persuasively to influence, inform, or persuade an audience.
• Foster a deep understanding of how different forms of communication can be used to create meaning and influence.
• Explore the ways in which language and communication shape our perception of the world and how we interact with others.
• Provide a broad liberal arts foundation in communication research and development, technical and professional communication, preparing students for life after graduation.
• Create an environment attentive to narrative ground and the historical moment, where students learn to discern and offer answers to questions confronting the human condition from the perspective of a humanities-grounded rhetoric and philosophy of communication.
• Prepare students for a life of intellectual pursuit, academia, and rhetorical exploration as the next generation of communication professors educating undergraduate students.

Program Description:

The Ph.D. in Rhetoric program at Duquesne University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of rhetoric and its applications in various fields. The program emphasizes the theoretical foundations of rhetoric, as well as its practical applications in communication and persuasion. Students will gain expertise in classical rhetoric, modern rhetorical theory, political rhetoric, and the digital, cultural, and political landscapes of our time. The program is structured around a core curriculum that provides students with a solid foundation in the history, theory, and practice of rhetoric. Students will also choose one of three areas of emphasis: Communication Ethics & Crisis in the Public Sphere, Integrated Marketing Communication/Corporate Communication, or Rhetoric of Technology/Media Ecology.

Outline:

Core Curriculum:

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

Emphases:

• Communication Ethics & Crisis in the Public Sphere:
• COMM 626 Rhetoric & Philosophy of Free Speech
• COMM 616 Rhetoric & Philosophy of Interpersonal/Intercultural Communication
• COMM 614 Rhetoric & Philosophy of Crisis Management
• Integrated Marketing Communication/Corporate Communication:
• COMM 636 Rhetoric & Philosophy of Integrated Marketing Communication
• COMM 617 Rhetoric & Philosophy of Organizational Communication and Leadership
• COMM 605 Rhetoric & Philosophy of Public Relations and Advertising
• Rhetoric of Technology/Media Ecology:
• COMM 628 Rhetoric & Philosophy of Technology
• COMM 610 Rhetoric & Philosophy of Cyberspace
• COMM 618 Rhetoric & Philosophy of Humanities and the Marketplace

Course Schedule:

Students will typically take two courses per semester, with the core curriculum being completed in the first two years of the program. The third and fourth years will be dedicated to coursework in the chosen emphasis area and the completion of the dissertation.

Assessment:

Students will be assessed through a variety of methods, including:

• Written assignments: Students will write essays, research papers, and other assignments that demonstrate their understanding of rhetorical theory and practice.
• Oral presentations: Students will give presentations on their research and other topics related to rhetoric.
• Comprehensive examination: Students will take a comprehensive examination that covers the core curriculum and their chosen emphasis area.
• Dissertation: Students will write a dissertation that makes an original contribution to the field of rhetoric.

Teaching:

The Ph.D. in Rhetoric program is taught by a team of experienced faculty who are experts in the field. The faculty are committed to providing students with a supportive and challenging learning environment.

Careers:

Graduates of the Ph.D. in Rhetoric program have gone on to careers in academia, government, and the private sector. They work as professors, researchers, speechwriters, public relations professionals, and marketing executives.