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English, Speech, & Foreign Languages

Ph.D. Program in Rhetoric

     “the art of winning the soul by discourse” (Plato)
     “the art of persuasion by the available means” (Aristotle)
     “the art of a good person speaking well” (Quintilian)
     “that powerful instrument of error and deceit” (Locke)
     “that art or talent by which discourse is adapted to its end” (George Campbell)

     "the use of language as a symbolic means of inducing cooperation in beings that by nature respond to symbols" (Kenneth Burke)

     "a study of misunderstanding and its remedies" (I. A. Richards)

Fresco of a woman thinkingA list of definitions of the term "rhetoric," or such related terms as "eloquence" during the Enlightenment, or "discourse" today, could be extensive. In the program leading to a Ph.D. in Rhetoric at Texas Woman's University, students, with -- under the guidance of the faculty, explore a multitude of issues that fall under the broad field of rhetoric. As members of various discourses, students in the program of doctoral studies in Rhetoric at TWU engage the history of rhetoric, composition pedagogy, cultural studies, film studies, religious discourse, and more. Likewise, in addition to interests in such figures as Chaucer and Milton (approached from a rhetorical standpoint), students will find opportunities to explore the ideas of such figures as Plato and Aristotle, Cicero and Augustine, Margery Kempe and Christine de Pizan, George Campbell and Hugh Blair, and the likes of more modern figures such as Virginia Woolf, Kenneth Burke, Mikhail Bakhtin, Michel Foucault, Slavoj Zizek, and Gloria Anzaldua. In addition, students find opportunities to explore rhetorical issues related to the use of varying mediums, such as film and electronic literature. A faculty with diverse backgrounds and interests guide students in developing and honing skills that will allow them to participate in diverse discourses as scholars, leaders, administrators, and writers. We invite you to visit the pages here to discover more about our program leading to a Ph.D. in Rhetoric. For instance, take a look at our new doctoral brochure (.pdf).

page updated 3/11/2010 9:07

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THECB 18 Doctoral Characteristics [pdf]

Time to Apply for Scholarships

The 2010 Scholarship Announcements and Application Forms are now available in the CFO Building on the ninth floor (on the hall wall near the ESFL departmental offices) and on the first floor in room 131.  The scholarships mainly are designated for English majors and English and Rhetoric graduate students, but one of them is intended for students who are excelling in their study of Spanish.  The deadline for receipt of all application materials is Thursday, April 1, at 2:00 p.m.  Please follow all instructions carefully to ensure optimal consideration of your application.

Jane Roberts Wood to Read on March 30

The Department of English, Speech, and Foreign Languages is co-sponsoring a talk by writer Jane Roberts Wood on Tuesday, March 30. The event will take place at 11:00 in the Joyce Thompson Lecture Hall 101 of the Blagg-Huey Library.

Advising for Spring 2010

If you are an undergraduate in need of advising, please contact either Dr. Krajewski (bkrajewski@twu.edu) or Dr. West (GWest@twu.edu). Dr. Thomspon (Lthompson2@twu.edu) is the Graduate Advisor.