Rhet/Comp--Eng. Depart. vs. Comm. Depart.

[BradS]

For anyone who can shed light on this topic, thank you tenfold.

I have noticed that rhet/comp programs seem to be housed in either English or Communication departments. As an English major starting the grad-school process, this dichotomy simply adds a little more confusion/frustration. While my mentor advised me to seek out programs couched within english departments, I have noticed that the differences between the two seem, at times, somewhat negligible. However, as "fit" is king, I want to be certain that my interests conincide nicely with faculty members as well as the department's more unified vision (I have already e-mailed quite a few faculty members form various institutions).

I am paritcularly interested in feminist and visual rhetorics. My current project merges both of these frameworks as I look at reality-"inspired" television programming (a particular network), and how, by reappropriating earlier critical discourse, they construct narratives of mother-blaming/shaming adapted to more contemporary audiences.

Lastly, I wasn't going to give much attention to the quantitative portion of the GRE. I suck at math. Done. However, this was before I considered applying to rhet/comp programs within communcation departments. Do you suppose communciation departments will place much precedence on the quantitative section?

For all your help, thank you!

[ProfLorax]

Hi there! I am also applying to PhD programs in rhet/comp. I am only applying to English programs because they have stellar placement rates, and ultimately, I want to end up teaching in an English department. I would be interested in knowing where rhet/comp graduates from communications departments end up: English or Communications departments? Even if the coursework is similar between the departments, job placement may vary.

[BradS]

Hi there! I am also applying to PhD programs in rhet/comp. I am only applying to English programs because they have stellar placement rates, and ultimately, I want to end up teaching in an English department. I would be interested in knowing where rhet/comp graduates from communications departments end up: English or Communications departments? Even if the coursework is similar between the departments, job placement may vary.

That is a great question, proflorax. I am skyping with my advisor at 3:30 today, and plan on asking her about this. Hopefully, she can offer some insight. If she does, I'll be sure to post it here for you as well.

Also, I guess I didn't need to initially quote this considering you're the only one who responded to my query, lol.

Edited June 8, 2012 by BradS

[ComeBackZinc]

Certainly an essential question is whether you want to teach in an English or comm program in the future. Internal to the discipline, there won't be much difference in whether you're in comm or English; if you go to a conference, for example, most people there won't care much. But what department you're a part of will make a huge difference for your career, your day-to-day life, your promotion, etc. Which culture do you prefer? Which seems to be a healthier field overall? Hard to say now, of course.

One thing to bear in mind is that most of the English jobs you're going to apply for as a rhet/comp candidate won't be in schools with distinct rhet/comp programs. You'll often be applying for positions as the lone compositionist in a given English department.

[BradS]

Certainly an essential question is whether you want to teach in an English or comm program in the future. Internal to the discipline, there won't be much difference in whether you're in comm or English; if you go to a conference, for example, most people there won't care much. But what department you're a part of will make a huge difference for your career, your day-to-day life, your promotion, etc. Which culture do you prefer? Which seems to be a healthier field overall? Hard to say now, of course.

One thing to bear in mind is that most of the English jobs you're going to apply for as a rhet/comp candidate won't be in schools with distinct rhet/comp programs. You'll often be applying for positions as the lone compositionist in a given English department.

Thanks for the inside scoop, ComeBackZinc. My advisor stated the same. While there is one professor working with the English department whose degree is not in English at my university, he is by far by the exception and not the rule.

[sr0304]

so, i've gotten my MA in rhet/comp as well as an MA that was more communication-centered. and i spent my undergrad in the english department. i've been to oodles of conferences (NCA, RSA, CCCs, ISHR)

given your interests, I would say you most definitely should explore the communication side of things.

in composition programs, you will find yourself almost always--lets go ahead and say always--writing about pedagogy, teaching freshman comp, writing in the classroom, writing across the curriculum. rhetorical theory is typically considered in the context of teaching writing. questions about politics are typically grounded in the context of politics in the university or the politics concerning different writing voices.

 

if you do not want to deal with this pedagogical imperative, go communication.

if you are very much invested in teaching, writing centers, and literacy, then go for composition-focused programs.