Objectives
Rhetoric is the theory of persuasive communication, both written and spoken. The minor in rhetoric has been designed for students who want to know the principles and skills of practical persuasion in its varied contexts. The program will be of value for all students wishing to improve their writing and speaking skills and especially useful for those students who plan careers in business, management, law, government, and education. The minor in rhetoric is an interdisciplinary program offered through the cooperation of the Department of English and the Department of Communication.
Requirements for a Minor in Rhetoric
*Please note that students who add the rhetoric minor after February 1, 2017 are required to abide by the 2017 requirements. Students who added the rhetoric minor before February 1, 2017 can choose whether to follow the 2017 requirements or the 2000-2016 requirements. For the 2000-2016 requirements, please see the menu on the left side of the screen. If you have any questions about the requirements, please contact the adviser in the department that advised your admission.
2017 Requirements for a Minor in Rhetoric
Fifteen semester hours of coursework are required.
- A grade of a C- or better is required in each of the courses making up the 15 credits of the minor.
- Six semester hours from the course list in Rhetorical Theory and Analysis of Discourse
- Six semester hours from the course list in Writing and Speaking Skills
- Three semester hours in electives from either section of the Rhetoric Course List
- At least nine credits must be 300-level or higher, and at least six of those credits must be taken at UMD.
- No more than six transfer credits may be applied to the minor.
- No more than six credits may overlap with the student’s major, supporting courses, or college requirements.
- At least three credits must be taken from the English Department and at least three from the Department of Communication.
- No course used to satisfy a Fundamental Studies requirement may count toward the minor.
- No course used to satisfy the requirements of another minor may count toward the rhetoric minor.
- An overall GPA of 2.0 in the minor is required for graduation.
Advising
Prospective Rhetoric Minors
If you are interested in learning more about the minor, please complete the ARHU rhetoric minor form, which you can access at: https://www.arhu.umd.edu/undergraduate/academics/minors/. After completing this form, you will be contacted by the Office of English Undergraduate Studies to schedule an advising appointment.
University regulations specify “to ensure appropriate academic advising, students who wish to pursue a minor should inform both the college responsible for their major and the unit offering the minor as early as possible, but in no case later than one full academic year before the expected date of graduation.” We recommend you seek admission to the minor and receive advising within the first six credits of your minor.
Current Rhetoric Minors
Current rhetoric minors who have questions about their degree progress should contact the Office of English Undergraduate Studies.
Office of English Undergraduate Studies
University of Maryland College Park
Department of English Language and Literature
1128 Tawes Hall
7751 Alumni Drive
College Park, MD 20742
(301) 405-3825
Students who have questions about the content of specific rhetoric minor courses provided by the English Department should contact:
Melanie Kill, Ph.D.
Department of English
3202 Tawes Hall
Students who have questions about the content of specific rhetoric minor courses provided by the Department of Communication should contact:
Michelle Murray Yang, Ph.D.
Department of Communication
2114 Skinner Building
