Rhetoric majors are trained in the theory and history of rhetorical practice. With a grounding in argumentation and in the analysis of the symbolic and institutional dimensions of discourse, Rhetoric students study how meaning and persuasion function in a wide variety of specific contexts - from legal discourse and philosophical argumentation, to literary narratives and popular media culture. The major includes courses in three different areas of study:

History and Theory of Rhetoric
Public Discourse
Narrative and Image