Program Goals

The program in Rhetoric and Professional Communication at Iowa State meets the needs of its students, the university, and the community at large by:

• addressing the natural relationship between practical communication and science/technology, since the dissemination of scientific and technical knowledge depends on well-trained communicators;
• advancing research in science and technology through the education of teachers who will in turn train our future scientists and professionals to write;
• serving students in scientific, technical, business, and social science disciplines across the campus;
• expanding the outreach mission of the university to include all those professionals who depend upon communication skills for the effective practice of their professions.

In terms of learning outcomes, students will be able to:

• Comprehend fundamental issues, theories, research methods, and concepts in rhetoric and professional communication.
• Effectively use a variety of media (including oral, written, visual, and electronic) for designing and implementing communication in professional environments.
• Analyze and critique communication in a variety of professional contexts.
• Synthesize multiple perspectives on the value and use of rhetoric and professional communication.
• Design and conduct research that makes a significant contribution to rhetoric and professional communication.

Measures for evaluating a student’s success in meeting these objectives include: performance in coursework in rhetoric and professional communication; portfolio materials, and dissertation; use of technology in internship experiences and in teaching; display of an analytical stance toward rhetoric and professional communication in course papers, portfolio, and comprehensive exams; successful completion of an area of concentration; and completion and defense of the dissertation.