History of Rhetoric

[Historiogaffe]

Hi all,

I'm looking for graduate programs with a strong focus in the history of rhetoric, particularly the early history (Sophists to medievals). I'm not looking for rhetoric programs per se, though they would be ideal — and are partly why I'm asking here. I'd be grateful for any recommendations!

[RockDenali]

Hi all,

I'm looking for graduate programs with a strong focus in the history of rhetoric, particularly the early history (Sophists to medievals). I'm not looking for rhetoric programs per se, though they would be ideal — and are partly why I'm asking here. I'd be grateful for any recommendations!

Off the top of my head, I can't think of any programs that "do" history of rhetoric. Maybe some other posters can point you in a better direction than I.

From what I've seen, each program will have one specialist in that subject; it's just a matter of finding a scholar you like. For example, Edward Schiappa is in Minnesota's Communication Studies Department. In no way is that department a "history of rhet" department, but Schiappa is a leading authority on the Sophists. Susan Jarratt, who has done much lauded work on the Sophists (though I disagree with a lot of what she says), is at UC Irvine, but obviously Irvine isn't "known" for Sophistic studies!

So I think it's going to come down (as it always does, eh?!) to an individual with whom you want to work. If you're interested in medieval or Renaissance rhetorics, check out Catholic schools. Walter Ong, S.J., did great work in that arena at St. Louis U, and there may be people there doing similar work.

[Ballardesque]

Hi all,

I'm looking for graduate programs with a strong focus in the history of rhetoric, particularly the early history (Sophists to medievals). I'm not looking for rhetoric programs per se, though they would be ideal — and are partly why I'm asking here. I'd be grateful for any recommendations!

I was going to suggest UC Berkeley's Rhetoric dept, because the first of two required undergrad seminars is pretty much what you described--lots of Greeks and Romans (lots of them). But I'm not sure they do much of that at the graduate level. My impression (I was an English major at Cal who had a foot in the water at Rhetoric and Anthropology) is that they focus more on abstract philosophy--post-structuralism/post-modernism--at the graduate level (which is the focus of the second of those undergrad seminars). It's worth a look, however. Otherwise, have you thought about Classics or European History?

[runonsentence]

I think that a previous poster was correct in that a program that "does" history of rhetoric will be a program that has one (or possibly two?) scholars in your area. While I'm personally not ever an advocate of choosing a university based on one person you want to work with, looking up programs attached to scholars you have read might be a good starting point.

But something else for you to look for might be programs that are known for archival work. I think that Penn State has some strong archival work being done, but someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[runonsentence]

P.S. I'm also curious as to why you're "not looking for rhetoric programs per se"? Are you trying to make something more interdisciplinary/blended work with medieval studies? Or are you not decided yet whether to move in a lit or a rhet/comp direction?

[Historiogaffe]

P.S. I'm also curious as to why you're "not looking for rhetoric programs per se"? Are you trying to make something more interdisciplinary/blended work with medieval studies? Or are you not decided yet whether to move in a lit or a rhet/comp direction?

Hello! Sorry, this is quite the late reply.

For the first reason. I've ended up with a kind of mixed bag of rhetoric, medieval studies, and English programs. I do have a pedagogical angle to my interests, which I can hopefully sneak in/sell to a literary department. (Or into a medieval studies department under the ever-flexible label of medievalism.) Though wooing UT-Austin still lingers near the top of my list...

And thanks to all who've replied—I'll prowl for specific profs.

Edited June 7, 2011 by speakwrite_