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*What is rhetoric?
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The MA in Rhetoric at UCLAN is unique in the UK. It provides you with the opportunity to study the rich history and theory of the art of effective communication – and to master that art yourself.
From a rhetorical perspective, human communication is inextricably bound up with reason, emotion and action. Rhetoric has been at the heart of Western culture since its beginning and is a fascinating, serious and intellectually challenging topic in its own right, as well as an excellent preparation for a career in many fields of professional activity.
The ability to express your thoughts and motivations, reason convincingly, speak persuasively and deliberate with others constructively is crucial in politics, art, science and business - in all fields of public life. In the personal sphere too, it is in language that we shape who we are and how we live. Whenever language is used to investigate, express, influence, shape and contest identities and truths, to relate people to each other, to overcome, respect or indeed create differences and to create and disseminate knowledge, rhetoric is at work.
In today's fast-changing society, communication and communicative competence are more important than ever before. Understanding and mastering the rhetorical dimension of communication is both personally enriching and crucial to the role you play in the world.
*What are students and experts saying about the course?
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- Inspiring, challenging and most rewarding (I've even been invited to be a judge for a national debating competition!). The course will prepare you for a multitude of careers – the ability to communicate effectively is becoming increasingly vital in the world of work. Angela Kilpatrick, MA Rhetoric student
- The MA in Rhetoric has made me see the world in a completely different light, while effectively training me to read rhetorically, write concisely and speak persuasively. I've learnt more in this one year than I have in my past seventeen in education. Scott Mason, MA Rhetoric student
- Working for a top London-based speechwriting company offered me a perfect opportunity to put my study of rhetoric into practice and gain hands-on experience of the communications industry - just one of the career doors that the course can open up for you. Scott Mason, MA Rhetoric student
- Looking in depth at the role that rhetoric plays in politics, literature and society has been deeply fascinating. The combination of theory and practice is challenging, stimulating and hugely enjoyable. Louise Steggals, MA Rhetoric student.
- The UCLan course goes beyond reviving rhetoric, showing it at work in
politics, literature, art and culture in a 21st century world. I'd recommend this course to anyone interested in communicating effectively and persuasively in any medium. Dr Susan Jones, speech writer and communication expert; consultant for the BBC series - The Speaker.
"Speechwriters today must be highly-trained, highly-skilled and
highly-adaptable if they are to succeed in business or politics. I'm
delighted that Johan is leading this new MA course in Rhetoric which will give students an excellent grounding in this ancient art. It will ensure there is a new generation of speechwriters ready to take up the mantle when I pop my clogs." Simon Lancaster, Bespoke Speechwriting Ltd.
*Media coverage
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http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=408317§ioncode=26
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8149765.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8149765.stm
*About the course
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The MA Rhetoric has both a theoretical and a practical dimension. The course gives you the opportunity to acquire an in-depth understanding of a range of critical perspectives on rhetoric, as well as to develop your own communication skills, both in speaking and writing. The course is housed in the Linguistics Division of the School of Journalism, Media and Communication. The Linguistics Division is highly regarded for the quality of its teaching and research: following the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), the *THE* ranked it 10th equal in the UK. There is a lively postgraduate community, with a range of extracurricular lectures, workshops, research seminars and other events. The course team maintains intensive contacts with similar courses in several EU countries, creating an international atmosphere and opportunities for study or research abroad. Communication professionals regularly visit us to give master classes.
The MA Rhetoric aims to give you:
1. Comprehensive understanding of the history, theory and current status of the field of rhetoric.
2. Ability to apply rhetorical theory and skills in a critical and reflective manner to the functioning of discourse in culture and society broadly construed and in a variety of personal and professional settings.
3. Ability to carry out research at MA level in aspects of rhetoric.
The course is one year long (three semesters) and consists of the following modules, delivered through intensive reading and discussion seminars:
History and Theory of Rhetoric 1 (antiquity to 19th century)
History and Theory of Rhetoric 2 (20th century and contemporary developments)
*These two modules introduce you to the main concepts, theories and instruments of rhetorical analysis and composition as they have developed from classical antiquity to the present day.*
Rhetoric in Politics
*This module combines critical analyses of concrete examples of political communication with debates on controversial issues.
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Rhetoric of Narrative and Image
*An introduction to the study of narrative (fictional and non-fictional) and images (including film) from a rhetorical perspective
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Power in Talk
*This module introduces students to the concept of "power" and the way that power influences both everyday and institutional interaction* .
Linguistics Research and Methodology Seminar / Guided Research Topic
*Regular seminars with guest speakers and research methods training
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Dissertation
*The third semester of the course is devoted to a substantial research
project. This can take the form of either a purely academic project, or a reflective project involving a practical component.*
You can apply online by going to:
www.uclan.ac.uk/information/courses/ma_rhetoric.php
You can also request an application form from Course Enquiries by calling +44 (0)1772 892400 or emailing cenquiries@uclan. ac.uk.
Entry requirements: upper second class BA/BSc in a relevant discipline (e.g. Languages or other Humanities disciplines, Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology, Law, Politics, Media and Communication related disciplines) . We welcome applications from international students. If English is not your first language, you will need to have an IELTS score of 7.0 or higher, or equivalent (e.g. by successfully taking UCLAN’s own English proficiency test). For an informal chat about the course, email the course leader, Johan Siebers,jisiebers@uclan. ac.uk.
MA Rhetoric
School of Journalism, Media and Communication
University of Central Lancashire
Preston
PR1 2HE
United Kingdom
www.uclan.ac.uk/information/courses/ma_rhetoric.php
Course leader: Johan Siebers jisiebers@uclan.ac.uk
dr. Johan Siebers
m | +44 (0)7894 741174
o | +44 (0)1772 201201
p | +44 (0)20 8883 7579
w | www.philosophy-of-communication.eu
Please quote 10 Academic Resources Daily in your application to this opportunity!
