Course Title: Rhetoric
“Speech is a powerful master” said Gorgias. We shape who we are and how we live by the ways we speak and express ourselves – publicly and privately. Since ancient Greece the theory and practice of “speaking well” has been at the heart of European culture and public life and of our ideals of free speech and human dignity. As communication cultures change, our rhetoric changes as well. This course provides a unique opportunity in the UK to study an exciting and rich field of intellectual and practical relevance and a unique preparation for a wide field of professional careers.
Key Facts
|
Award Type: |
MA |
|
Ancillary: |
|
|
Additional awards: |
|
|
Delivery Method: |
Standard |
|
Course Length: |
Full time: Part time: |
|
School: |
School of Journalism, Media and Communication |
|
Campus: |
Preston |
|
Partner Colleges: |
|
|
Year of Entry: |
2010 |
|
Start Month: |
September |
Entry Requirements
For 2011 entry please contact our course enquiries team for entry requirements as these may differ from 2010.
Entry requirements for postgraduate courses vary and you are advised to check for any specific requirements with Enquiry Management and on our website. Normally the following general entry requirements apply:
Postgraduate Diplomas, Certificates and Conversion Courses:
A recognised British first degree or its equivalent, or a BTEC Higher Diploma/Certificate.
Taught Masters Courses:
A recognised British honours degree to a good standard, or its equivalent.
Applications from all candidates will be considered on their merits and in the light of the nature and scope of the programme or work proposed. Informal enquiries are welcomed and will normally be followed by an initial advisory interview.
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)
Course Content
The new 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 practice of speaking, or more broadly, communicating, well – and to master that practice yourself. For the rhetorical tradition, human expression and meaning are a unity of action, emotion and reason. Expression reflects the life we live, and it helps to sustain, change and improve it; Rhetorical ideas are at the heart of what it means to be human. Rhetoric has been at the centre of European culture since its beginning and is a fascinating and intellectually serious and challenging topic in its own right, as well as a unique preparation for a career in many fields of professional activity or in research and education. 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. But also in the personal sphere it is in language that we shape who we are and how we live. Everywhere where 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 and understanding, rhetoric is working.
In today’s society, communicative practice and competence is more important than ever before and changing faster than ever before. Understanding the rhetorical dimension and mastering it is enriching for anyone and significant to the world you live in. In the words of the Roman rhetoricians: “speaking well means living well”. Become human, study rhetoric!
The course consist of the following modules:
1. History and Theory of Rhetoric 1 (antiquity to 19th Century)
2. History and Theory of Rhetoric 2 (20th Century and contemporary developments)
3. Political Rhetoric
4. Rhetoric of Narrative and Image
5. Power in Talk
6. Research Seminar – Guided Research Topic
7. Dissertation
Course at a Glance
Year 1
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
|
Links with Professional Bodies: |
Links with academic societies across the world are being developed; conference participation by students is encouraged and supported. |
Assessment
Assessment is by coursework and a dissertation (MA only)
Learning Environment
Seminars, lectures, self study, tutorials, workshops, on-line learning activities
Careers
The MA in Rhetoric is a unique preparation for a career in a variety of professional fields, including general management, policy development, communication professions, law, research in relevant fields and teaching
Other Opportunities
The course has a student-led research component as preparation for the dissertation, which allows for in-depth exploration of a chosen topic and gives you the chance to acquire transferable research skills to a high level.
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying for this course, our comprehensive How to Apply pages will guide you through the process. Here at UCLan, our aim is to encourage you to develop your potential and we offer a flexible approach to admissions, which reflects our commitment to all those who would benefit from our courses.
Money Matters
Most graduates of this University are entitled to a 20% reduction on tuition fees for our postgraduate courses, if self-funding.
Details of current fees are available from Enquiry Management,
University of Central Lancashire
Preston PR1 2HE,
United Kingdom
Tel: 01772 892400
Students with Disabilities/Learning Difficulties
The University is concerned to provide an educational experience of the highest quality for students with disabilities/learning difficulties. We strongly recommend you contact us before applying to find out if we can offer you the support you need. We are always pleased to hear from those enquiring about or applying to the University. Tel: 01772 892593 (telephone/text phone) for advice.
International Applications
"We welcome applications from international students for full-time study and the application procedure previously described should be used. Forms and literature on studying in the United Kingdom are available from the British Council offices or British Embassies throughout the world. You can also find lots of information about living and studying in the UK on the British Council's website www.educationuk.org"
Contact Details
Enquiry Management
University of Central Lancashire
Preston
PR1 2HE
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1772 892400
Email: cenquiries@uclan.ac.uk
More Information
You can visit the following websites for information about the city of Preston, the University and the Students' Union:
www.visitpreston.com
www.uclansu.co.uk
www.uclan.ac.uk
Open Days
You are welcome to see the University and all it has to offer at one of our Open Days which run throughout the year. However, if you would like to visit the University independently, you are welcome to join one of our regular Campus Tours. For more information about both, ask for Advancement Services on 01772 201201 or book online at www.uclan.ac.uk/opendays/.