Introduction to the Major
The Rhetoric major trains students in the history of rhetorical theory and practice, grounded in argumentation and in the analysis of the symbolic and institutional dimensions of discourse. Students gain a pragmatic understanding of the elements of rhetorical analysis, with special attention to logic, style, tropes, figures, and images, and receive a thorough grounding in the historical development of these elements in rhetorical theory.
This combination allows students to have a disciplined grasp of the contemporary character of rhetoric and language. Within the framework of understanding classical and contemporary theories and practice of interpretation, students can explore the role of persuasion in pragmatic and aesthetic contexts.
Major Concentrations
Rhetoric majors may choose one area of concentration:
- History and Theory
- Public Discourse
- Narrative and Image
Each concentration has its own required upper division coursework.
Amplify Your Major
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Join the Rhetoric Society to connect with Rhetoric peers and faculty.
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Attend Rhetoric department events like guest lectures and annual colloquia.
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Pursue a Law & Humanities Course Thread and explore the importance of the humanities in relation to law, literature, history, philosophy, music, and the visual arts.
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Undertake an Honors Thesis during your senior year.
First Year
Explore Your Major
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Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
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Familiarize yourself with major and college requirements.
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Enroll in L&S 1and learn about study options in L&S.
Connect and Build Community
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Get 1:1 mentoring with Berkeley Connect.
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Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center.
Discover Your Passions
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Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or student-run DeCal course.
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Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships.
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Find new cross-disciplinary perspectives in the Law & Humanities Course Thread.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
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Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
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Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library.
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Develop a plan for getting career ready.
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Sign up for Handshake and CareerMail.
- Explore career resources on the Arts and Humanities website.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
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Complete lower division prerequisites in Rhetorical Reasoning and Interpretation, and declare the major.
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Select your concentration to give focus to your upper division coursework.
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Review major guidelines for study abroad.
Connect and Build Community
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Join a Rhetoric student organization like the Rhetoric Society.
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Attend a Rhetoric department event.
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Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
Discover Your Passions
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Enroll in a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course.
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Assist faculty in their research through URAP.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Contribute to a community organization with an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course.
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Go on a service-learning trip with the Alternative Breaks Program.
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Consider a Berkeley Global Internship in the United States or abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator.
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Explore careers through the Career Connections Series or Cal Job Shadow Program.
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Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
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Focus on the upper division course sequence in Rhetorical Theory and concentration courses.
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Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
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Consider undertaking an Honors Thesis for your senior year.
Connect and Build Community
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Consider becoming a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
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Consider joining Rhetoric Society if you haven’t already.
Discover Your Passions
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Find research and funding opportunities in the OURS database.
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Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF.
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Look into fieldwork with faculty or summer internship opportunities.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program.
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Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital.
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Look into study abroad options through the UC Education Abroad Program.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Conduct informational interviews with alumni.
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Discuss graduate school options with advisors and professors.
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Attend career and graduate school fairs.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
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Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
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Finish remaining major, college, and campus requirements.
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Audition to speak at the Department Commencement Ceremony.
Connect and Build Community
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Get support for your thesis project in the Townsend Honors Thesis Workshop.
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Connect with alumni groups and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
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Teach your own DeCal course.
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Take a leadership role with Rhetoric Society and contribute to the Rhetoric Journal.
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Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program.
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Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State.
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Look into Fulbright Scholarship opportunities.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
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Utilize job board tools in your job search.
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Attend Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting.
- Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Jobs and Employers
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Advisory Associate, KPMG
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Business Develop. Assoc., Gagosian
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Comms. Assoc., Global Envir. Institute
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Dept. Manager, MOMA
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Grants Coord., Dwntn. Women's Ctr.
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HR Associate., Visa
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Junior Venture Ptnr., Dream Ventures
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Lang. Teacher, Spanish Ministry of Ed.
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Marketing and Comm. Admin., iTVS
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Producer, NPR/KQED Public Radio
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Program Analyst, UCSF
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Program Coord., UC Berkeley
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Project Manager, Hewlett Packard
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Researcher, Local 2850
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Teacher, Teach for America
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Technical Sourcer, Mulesoft
Graduate Programs
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Applied Economics, Masters
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Art History, PhD
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Communication, Masters
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Counseling Psych., Masters
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Drama, Masters
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English Literature, PhD
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History and Phil. of Science, PhD
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Humanities, PhD
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Law, JD
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Mass Comm. & Media Studies, PhD
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Public Policy Management, Masters
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Secondary Education, Masters
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Social Thought, PhD
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Sociology, PhD
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit rhetoric.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Students can reach the Undergraduate Major Advisor Hedi Vafaeenia at 7406 Dwinelle Hall or through email at rhetoricugadvising@berkeley.edu.
Advising Drop-In Hours
Monday - Thursday 9am-12pm, 1-4pm
Friday 10am-12pm, 1-3pm
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
