Interrogate the boundaries of existing and emerging fields of knowledge.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Rhetoric in the College of Letters & Science 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.
Highlights
- Connect with passionate, expert Rhetoric professors who inspire curiosity and critical thinking.
- Get involved with student organizations such as Rhetoric Society, California Mock Trial, and Debate Society of Berkeley.
- Work on an independent research project of your choosing in the Rhetoric Honors Program.
Curriculum
The Rhetoric undergraduate program offers a blend of theoretical and practical coursework centered on critical thinking, argumentation, and discourse. RHETOR 10 Introduction to Practical Reasoning and RHETOR 20 Rhetorical Interpretation form the lower division core courses, followed by the upper division core of RHETOR 103A and 103B Approaches and Paradigms in the History of Rhetorical Theory.
In addition to core courses, students also take upper division coursework towards an area of concentration. Concentration areas include 1) history and theory of rhetoric, which explores the evolution of rhetorical traditions; 2) public discourse, which focuses on the role of rhetoric in shaping civic and political life; and 3) narrative and image, which examines the relationship between storytelling, media, and culture.
Learn more at rhetoric.berkeley.edu/undergraduate-programs
Options in Rhetoric
In addition to the major, the Rhetoric department offers the following options:
- Minor program consisting of five courses: RHETORIC 10, 20, 30, 50 or 60; 103A or 103B; and three upper division electives in Rhetoric.
- Law & Humanities Course Thread that allows students to consider what law is and where it resides through courses across the humanities and social sciences.
- Courses that fulfill L&S breadth as well as Reading and Composition (R&C) requirements.
Declaring the Major
Upon acceptance to UC Berkeley, you are admitted to the College of Letters & Science as an undeclared student. You may declare the Rhetoric major once you have completed either RHETOR 10 or 20 with a letter grade of C or better, and after you have completed at least 30 units. To declare, submit the Rhetoric Application to Declare form. This applies to both four-year and/or transfer students.
Rhetoric’s inherent multidisciplinary subject matter makes it an ideal major for students seeking to obtain the sort of liberal arts education that will prepare them for the diversity of careers requiring advanced critical thinking and communications skills, such as law, business, civil service, education, medicine, science, and more.
UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying Rhetoric. The College of Letters & Science spotlights career pathways for students in the Arts & Humanities, and offers advising for undergraduates pursuing medical or health professions programs, law school, or masters and PhD programs. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after completing graduation. Examples include:
- Business Analyst
- Community Manager
- Digital Marketer
- Grants Coordinator
- HR Associate
- Junior Venture Partner
- Language Teacher
- Management Consultant
- Producer
- Program Analyst
- Project Manager
- Researcher
- Teacher
- Tech Blogger
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- Applied Economics
- Art History
- Communication
- Counseling Psychology
- Drama
- English Literature
- Humanities
- Law
- Public Policy Management
- Rhetoric
- Secondary Education
- Sociology
Nasser Zakariya, Faculty
Nasser Zakariya is an Associate Professor of Rhetoric. His research interests concern science and narrative, as well as varied topics in the history and philosophy of science.
"Professor Zakariya is one of the most engaging lecturers I have ever encountered….I always felt like each day of class opened a new window into my own inquiry of the world….He teaches with contagious enthusiasm and urgency that leaves students continuing discussions outside of the classroom."
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Start exploring with L&S 1 and first-year guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities
- Visit L&S Advising for help with major exploration and degree requirements.
- Familiarize yourself with the Rhetoric major; start on lower division prerequisites RHETOR 10 and 20.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar (RHETOR 24), Berkeley Changemaker, or A&H Compass or Gateway course.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a student organization like the Rhetoric Society
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Find community service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities website.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
-
Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
-
Declare the major once you have completed RHETOR 10 or 20; decide on an area of concentration.
-
Continue exploring with a Sophomore Seminar or Big Ideas course.
-
Consider studying abroad and learning a foreign language.
- Enrich your studies with a minor, certificate, or course thread such as Law & Humanities
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend a Rhetoric department event
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Check out the Townsend Center for the Humanities.
- Join a tournament hosted by California Mock Trial or Debate Society of Berkeley
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Begin building your network and exploring career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; look into the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Start on upper division requirements, including RHETOR 103A and 103B, and courses for your concentration.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
- Consider applying to the Rhetoric Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team
- Check out College Corps and the Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Volunteer at the Rhetoric table on Cal Day
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Join a professional association such as Rhetoric Society of America.
- Interested in public service? Look into the John Gardner Fellowship, Peace Corps, Teach for America, and US Department of State.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Receive thesis guidance in the Townsend Center Honors Thesis Workshop.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services
Summer
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course such as RHETOR 120.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Digital Humanities, Teaching English, and Journalism.
- Learn about applying to graduate school with the PhD Admissions Bootcamp
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with L&S 198 Transitioning to Cal and transfer guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Read the department’s message to transfers; enroll in RHETOR 10 and 20 and think about an area of concentration.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Explore new interests in a Berkeley Changemaker or DeCal course.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with student organizations such as the Rhetoric Society
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Find support at the Transfer Student Center or Re-entry Student Program.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement
- Begin exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities website.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Declare the major as soon as your grades post from RHETOR 10/20.
- Start on upper division requirements, including RHETOR 103B and courses for your concentration.
- Consider studying abroad and learning a foreign language.
- Enrich your studies with a minor, certificate, or course thread such as Law & Humanities.
- Consider applying to the Rhetoric Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend a Rhetoric department event
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Find community service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
- Join a tournament hosted by California Mock Trial or Debate Society of Berkeley.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Begin building your network and exploring career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews
- Pursue an internship to develop skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Complete RHETOR 103A and continue with upper division requirements
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
- Receive thesis guidance in the Townsend Center Honors Thesis Workshop
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a Transfer Peer Advocate or member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Check out College Corps and the Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
Pursue Your Career Goals
-
Check in with a BCE career educator
-
Join a professional association such as Rhetoric Society of America.
-
Interested in public service? Look into the John Gardner Fellowship, Peace Corps, Teach for America, and US Department of State.
-
Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Volunteer at the Rhetoric table on Cal Day
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize
Pursue Your Career Goals
-
Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs
-
Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
-
Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
-
Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
-
Get ready for Berkeley with RHETOR 100 Writing at the University
-
Thinking about a PhD? Apply to the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship the summer before your first semester.
-
Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course such as RHETOR 120.
-
Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
-
Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
-
Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Digital Humanities, Teaching English, and Journalism.
-
Learn about applying to graduate school in the PhD Admissions Bootcamp.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about Rhetoric or choosing a major?
The Department of Rhetoric offers undergraduate advising for students interested in Rhetoric. The Undergraduate Major Advisor is located at 7406 Dwinelle Hall and can answer questions about the major and minor, transfer credit, enrolling in classes, studying abroad, and progress toward the degree. Contact rhetoricugadvising@berkeley.edu for advising hours and more information.
The College of Letters & Science helps students with non-major-specific academic topics, including major exploration, general program planning, finding campus resources, and pre-professional graduate programs. L&S College Advisors are available for in-person and virtual meetings. Visit lsadvising.berkeley.edu or email asklns@berkeley.edu
Related Programs
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