Rhetoric

Undergraduate Program

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

By combining so many disciplines under one umbrella, Rhetoric expanded my brain in ways I never anticipated when I first encountered the major.
Sophie Golub, class of '16

Four-Year Student Timeline

First Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Second Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

  • Join a Rhetoric student organization like the Rhetoric Society.

  • Attend a Rhetoric department event.

  • Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Third Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

  • Find research and funding opportunities in the OURS database.

  • Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF.

  • Look into fieldwork with faculty or summer internship opportunities.

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Fourth Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

  • Teach your own DeCal course.

  • Take a leadership role with Rhetoric Society and contribute to the Rhetoric Journal.

  • Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

What Can I Do With My Major?

Jobs and Employers

  • Advisory Associate, KPMG

  • Business Develop. Assoc., Gagosian

  • Comms. Assoc., Global Envir. Institute

  • Dept. Manager, MOMA

  • Grants Coord., Dwntn. Women's Ctr. 

  • HR Associate., Visa

  • Junior Venture Ptnr., Dream Ventures

  • Lang. Teacher, Spanish Ministry of Ed.

  • Marketing and Comm. Admin., iTVS

  • Producer, NPR/KQED Public Radio

  • Program Analyst, UCSF

  • Program Coord., UC Berkeley

  • Project Manager, Hewlett Packard

  • Researcher, Local 2850

  • Teacher, Teach for America

  • Technical Sourcer, Mulesoft

Graduate Programs

  • Applied Economics, Masters

  • Art History, PhD

  • Communication, Masters 

  • Counseling Psych., Masters

  • Drama, Masters

  • English Literature, PhD

  • History and Phil. of Science, PhD

  • Humanities, PhD

  • Law, JD 

  • Mass Comm. & Media Studies, PhD

  • Public Policy Management, Masters

  • Secondary Education, Masters

  • Social Thought, PhD

  • Sociology, PhD

Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.

Learn More

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.