From the Chair

Welcome to the Department of Speech Communication, Rhetoric, and Performance Studies. Ours is a rich program that blends theory, history, critical practice, and analysis to explore how meaning is created and shared in the social world through verbal and visual languages and embodied performance. Our varied course offerings include public speaking, argumentation and debate, interpersonal communication, communication and gender, performing history, and rhetoric and popular culture.

In the tradition of the liberal arts, we promote skills and knowledge to enable intellectual growth as well as professional satisfaction. Our mission is to help students become clear, sharp thinkers and eloquent spokespersons for the things that matter to them - personally, professionally, and politically.

Mary Anne Trasciatti
Chair
Speech Communication, Rhetoric & Performance Studies