Arts & Sciences
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Communication Arts & Sciences |
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Programs: Rhetoric and Communication | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Introduction The study of rhetoric and communication is anchored in the liberal-arts. The 2,500 year history of rhetoric, as lively and stimulating today as it ever was, begins with the ancient Greeks. In our own century theorists have learned much about interpersonal and group communication, about communication between cultures and within organizations. The specialization in Rhetoric and Communication develops both practical communication skills and a solid theoretical understanding of human communication. Students take courses to refine their ability to give excellent public presentations in business, educational, political, and social settings. They also study the history, theory, and ethical requirements of communication. And they have opportunity to develop knowledge and skills through internships. Some students intern in Grand Rapids, others in Chicago or Washington, DC. The ability to communicate effectively is a marketable skill in today's world. CAS majors find careers in professions such as law or the ministry, in business, government service, or the media. Some enter service fields, working as counselors, managers, and supervisors in non-profit organizations. More than simply preparing people for careers, however, the Rhetoric and Communication specialization aims to graduate articulate Christians able to make a difference in a world where communication is the process that both holds us together and drives us apart. Studying communication is one helpful course of study in a world of hurting people. Communicating well assists in the healing that God calls His people to provide in the modern age. Rhetoric and Communication courses at Calvin prepare students to communicate, and to understand how communication occurs. In addition to courses that develop communication skills, the department's faculty advise students to enroll in courses in telecommunications, theatre, English and philosophy. RHETORIC AND COMMUNICATION CURRICULUM 101 Oral Rhetoric (3). Students examine the principles of oral and visual rhetoric in this course, with an emphasis on guided practice in the development of effective speeches. The course leads students to understand the role of rhetoric in society, to think critically about rhetorical situations and pracitices, and to gain proficiency in the art of rhetoric. 140 Communication and Culture (3). This course examines the ways in which communication is used to create, maintain, and change culture. Students have the opportunity to apply a basic understanding of the concepts of communication and culture to a range of contemporary social issues, cultural texts, and communication practices. Emphasis is given to rhetorical and discussion methods to help students learn about analyzing and constructing oral and written arguments and to work cooperatively doing a research project for class presentation. 141 Visual Rhetoric (3). This course is a study of the rhetoric of images, how images create meaning, and how images are used to persuade. It leads students to understand the relationship between the rhetoric of images, the various audiences for those images, and their social contexts. Students learn to critique the construction of images, the ethical use of images, and the various meanings of images. 205 American Voices (3). This course examines American oratory as an art form, an influence on the American experience, and a reflection of American culture. Students will develop an understanding of oratory as an aesthetic and practical art, deepen their knowledge of the American rhetorical tradition in its historical and intellectual contexts, and learn how the art of public speaking shapes our understanding of ourselves and our world. Emphasis is given to methods of critical listening and analysis and to how oratory has been transformed by the electronic age and its focus on the image. 238 Theory and Communication (3). An examination of the significance and role of theory in understanding the nature of human communication. The course focuses on the fundamental elements of communication processes, the assumptions that underlie communication theory, the similarities and differences between theoretical approaches, and the means of evaluating theoretical perspectives, including a Christian critique of communication theories. Prerequisite: CAS 140. 305 Persuasion and Propaganda (3). The theory and practice of persuasive communication. Topics include theory and research of persuasion, improving personal persuasive abilities, recognizing and resisting persuasive strategies, and the role of propaganda in modern society. Examples for analysis are taken from advertising, religion, sales, political campaigns, and democratic and totalitarian propaganda. 327 Rhetorical Criticism (3). S, alternate years. A study and application of principles for the analysis and evaluation of public discourse. Working within the humanistic tradition, students will investigate how humans use symbols to assign meaning to the world and attempt to induce others to share those meanings. The course will help students explain and interpret the dynamic relationship between author, text, context, and audience involved in any rhetorical act. Students read a variety of types of criticism and develop their own strategies for analysis. 352 Communication Ethics (3). This course examines the moral dimensions of human communication, exploring dilemmas in interpersonal, group, and mediated communication, with special reference to problems encountered in communications professions. While wrestling with cases and controversies, students also review and apply historic criteria for coming to reasoned moral judgment, including the contemporary voices of feminist, determinist, post-modern, and naturalist ethicists. Major Christian positions are reviewed and applied. Case studies are the focus of the class, with a variety of learning opportunities and encouragement for students to pursue personal learning objectives. Prerequisites: Biblical Foundations I, Developing a Christian Mind, and Philosophical Foundations. Other Possible Courses 200 Advanced Oral Rhetoric (4). Composition and presentation of types of speeches, participation in various types of speeches, participation in various types of discussion, readings in rhetorical theory, and criticism of selected contemporary speeches. Prerequisite: CAS 100, 101, or equivalent. 203 Introduction to Performance Studies (3). An introduction to performance as a means of analyzing, appreciating, and celebrating literature. By providing training in the principles and techniques of performing literature before an audience, this course expands students’ understanding of the relationships between text and performance, literature and human action, and written and oral forms of discourse. Genres of literature examined include poetry, prose, and oral history. This course is designed for students considering careers in theatre, rhetoric, radio, television, or education. 211 Argumentation and Advocacy (3). A study and application of basic principles of argumentation and advocacy. This course focuses on the dynamics of oral argument—ethical dimensions, use of language, informal logic, use of evidence and appeals, structure, and interactions with other arguments. Through analysis and practice, students will learn not only how to argue within academic contexts, but how to apply argumentative reasoning to everyday communication. 230 History of North American Media (3). This course emphasizes changes in the means of communication, the control of media systems, the audiences for media products, and the changes introduced into North American life (Canadian, Mexican, U.S. ) by the press, telegraph, telephone, phonograph, photograph, cinema, wireless, radio, television, cable and satellite, and computers. It concentrates on the history of technological development, programming, audience development, representation of constituent groups in society – especially minorities – and changes in law and regulation that have affected media institutions. 240 Group Communication (3). Small group communication theory and practice. Students participate in group projects leading to class presentations. Topics include leadership, discussion, roles, consensus, organization, decision-making, and persuasion. Standards for ethical conduct are considered throughout the course. 253 Intercultural Communication (3). An examination of the anthropological principles relating to cross-cultural communication. This examination requires an extensive comparison of the components of cultural systems and the nature of cultural dynamics. The areas of application include government, business, Peace Corps, development, and mission work, with special emphasis on the last two. Special topics include developing an appropriate attitude regarding indigenous cultures and the management of culture shock. Also listed as Sociology 253. 260 Interpersonal Communication (3). The interpersonal communication opportunities and problems faced by Christians as they seek to live the life of faith in contemporarysociety. The course focuses on the theories and the practice of interpersonal communication. Topics include the elements of dyadic communication, shyness, gender, conflict management, and relational enrichment. 270 Communication and Gender (3). A study and Christian evaluation of the relations between communication and gender, especially in interpersonal relationships, family, business, religious organizations, and educational institutions and religious settings. 318 American Politics and Mass Media (3). A survey of the relationship between American politics and the mass communications media. The course covers the way the federal government, through its regulations and its dissemination of information, affects the operations of the media, and how the media influence the social and political values of Americans and the functioning of the political system. Also listed as Political Science 318. 330 Global Media, Global Culture (3). This course examines communication occurring across international borders, with special attention to the development of a global culture based in media flow. Topics include the history, use and regulation of international communications technologies, information and cultural impacts of media flow, international law, and the role of media in international politics, economics, culture, and religion. It includes significant attention to the development of global media organizations and their impacts on indigenous culture. See the Calvin College Catalog for a listing of all courses. Titles for Some Recent CAS Interim Courses The Totalitarian Temptation A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE ON RHETORIC AT CALVIN COLLEGE One of the key means people use to exercise dominion in the world is rhetoric. Persuasive uses of language bring people to political decisions, environmental activism, choices on deeply personal issues, as well as a reckoning with God's existence and nature and God's will in human life. Rhetoric provides one important means by which to create community and to enter into public life. In our most fallen moments, we pervert the gift of rhetoric by treating others as a means to selfish ends, leading to corrupt forms of persuasion, such as fascist propaganda, false political advertising, and race- and sex-baiting rhetoric. However, if used transformatively, to connect us and to call us to responsibility for the world God gave us, rhetoric can help people become more fully human and grow closer to God. Communication helps orient people to an understanding of themselves in relation to the world for which they were created. As John Calvin says in Book I of the Institutes, people cannot know themselves until they first know themselves in relation to God. Knowing God impresses a person with the need for humility and joy. Humility is called up when we recognize how far we fall short of God's goodness. But joy is also called for when we recognize God created us and loves us enough to give us the Son and Spirit to enable us to escape the judgment our sin surely would call down upon us. We show our love for others through caring communication and rhetoric. When we treat other humans as image bearers of God and equal receivers of grace, we will listen carefully, change when needed, admit our wrongs, and work as partners in taking care of people and the world God gave us. The analytical and critical tools of rhetoric enable discernment of warrants and arguments. Through careful critical thinking, writing and speaking, we can transform culture in ways that serve human needs and God's ends. As they seek ways to enable peace and justice to embrace, rhetoric and communication encourage shalom. The curriculum of the Rhetoric and Communication specialization is designed to enable students to live lives of active Christian love and service. The departmental core (Communication and Culture and Communication Ethics) grounds students in a Reformed perspective on culture and a clear sense of what it means to communicate ethically, both privately and publicly. The specialization requirements (Visual Rhetoric, American Voices, Persuasion and Propaganda, and Messages and Meanings) expose students to a wide range of uses and abuses of symbolic meaning. Two courses in oral performance (drawn from Advanced Oral Rhetoric, Introduction to Performance Studies, or Advocacy and Opposition) prepare students to consider points of views held by audiences and experts, weight them and enter into constructive dialogue. One course in communication in context (drawn from Group, Intercultural, Interpersonal, or Gender Communication) reminds students of the influence exerted by situations and their demands. One theory course (either Rhetorical Theory or Investigating Communication) further develops sophisticated theoretical understanding of an aspect of the discipline. One course from communication and the public sphere (The Media and the Public, American Politics and the Mass Media, or Global Media) provides an understanding of broad social and cultural dynamics that affect people's lives. Finally, two electives drawn from the department round out students' awareness of the diversity of discourse. A Reformed view of communication and rhetoric demands recognition of Jesus' call to love God above all and our neighbor as ourselves. Our speech gives away our attitudes. As John Calvin indicated in "Sermon Eight" of his Sermons on the Ten Commandments, "For it is not enough for [people] to abstain from doing evil, for they were created for the purpose of helping each other and of supporting each other together." Through our ways of speaking and listening, we show our love for God and one another. Students interested in the program may communicate with Professors Randall Bytwerk, Helen Sterk, Garth Pauley or Kathi Groenendyk. Back to top |
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