Rhetoric, Communication, and Theater Department at St. John's University

05/07/2021

The Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Theatre announces its revised undergraduate major, a 36-credit hour B.A. in Communication Studies.

The B.A. in Communication studies provides students with a balance of communication theory and practice, providing them an opportunity to develop their communicative practices and strategies in analyzing, producing, and delivering messages--in both 'everyday' situations and those marked by urgency or crisis. This major is a great opportunity for students who want a deeper understanding of how argumentation and persuasion works in cultural, historical, political, and organizational contexts.

To complete the 36 credit-hour degree, students will select 18-credit hours in communication practices and 18-credit hours from one of three concentrations: Communication & Culture, Organizational Communication & Leadership, or Political Communication & Civic Engagement.

Concentration One: Communication & Culture: Examines the role of communication in a variety of contexts, especially in the creation and negotiation of identities.

Concentration Two: Organizational Communication & Leadership: Examines communicative practices within and between organizations, helping individuals develop skills in problem solving, conflict management, and leadership.

Concentration Three: Political Communication & Civic Engagement. Examines communicative practices that sustain political institutions, including the strategic use of language, citizen interactions, and community mobilization.

Students who major in Communication Studies will gain invaluable skills that can be applied in a variety of careers including law, education, business, religious vocations, media, and public service. More importantly, the study of communication will equip students for leadership in whatever career they pursue.

For more information, please visit:

Communication is the central means by which individuals organize society, create identities, and negotiate meaning. Understanding how well others communicate and learning how to communicate well with others is key for personal and professional success. The Communication Studies program in St. John.....

03/24/2019

Fall 2019 Course Offerings from the Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Theatre

03/21/2019

Read about Dr. Sanae Elmoudden’s latest research on stigma and mental illness.

Four faculty members from the Rhetoric, Communication and Theater department sat in the former Debate Room in St. John Hall to listen to Dr. Sanae Elmoudden discuss her research on mental health: “Growing Pains: Stigma and Mental Illness” Monday. If a person meets someone with cancer, they ask a...

01/13/2019

https://www.chronicle.com/interactives/advice-firstday

The first day of class is crucial both for your students and for you. This guide will help you make opening day as effective as possible.

05/20/2018

On the importance of teaching public speaking:

A recent report confirms that the alumni of British private schools still control politics and many top professions. One reason those people are so successful in public life is, of course, that their shared history gives them privileged networking connections. But they are also commonly very confident, fluent public speakers.

They were not born that way. Their skills were developed through their school experience of debate, discussion groups and engaging in dialogues with their teachers. Although the term might not have been used, their education included oracy – skills in using spoken language – as well as literacy and numeracy.

For the sake of social equality, all schools should teach children the public speaking skills they need for educational progress, for work and for full participation in democracy. Our research is beginning to show that children who are taught these skills, perform better in maths, science and reasoning tests.

Without those skills, they're at a major disadvantage.

03/20/2017

The Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Theatre will host April Allderdice, the co-founder and CEO of MicroEnergy Credits, for a symposium and workshop on communication and climate change.

On Thursday, March 23rd, April delivery a presentation, “Fighting Climate Change and Empowering Women through Social Enterprise,” during Common Hour (1:50pm) in room 407 of the D’Angelo Center.

On Tuesday, March 24th, April will lead a workshop on “Building constructive engagement in the fight against climate change” from 12:30 – 2:00pm in St. John Hall, Rm 203.

We hope to see you and your students at these events.

April Allderdice is the co-founder and CEO of MicroEnergy Credits. April worked with the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Grameen Bank in Bangladesh as part of the original team who developed Grameen Shakti, an enterprise which reached millions of households with solar lights, efficient stoves and biogas digesters by offering clean energy microloans. After stints in investment banking with Fortis Bank and strategy consulting with McKinsey and Company, April went on to create MicroEnergy Credits, with the goal of scaling up access to clean energy finance for low income households across the globe. She holds a Masters in Business Administration from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics from Wesleyan University. She is a Fulbright and Echoing Green alumni. She is also the co-author with John Rogers of Renewable Energy for Microfinance

03/20/2017

Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Theatre: Fall 2017 Course Offerings

03/13/2017

Night of Debate Champions: Ireland v Spain v St John’s.

On Thursday, March 16th, the SJU Debate Society will host the Night of Debate Champions: Ireland v Spain v St John’s.

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER in the United States, two INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS will meet! Join us for a debate between St. John's University, the Irish Times National Champions and the Champions of the Spanish Foundation for Legal Debating! ONE NIGHT ONLY

The topic: This House believes the International Criminal Court would benefit from increased involvement from the United States.

The debate will occur at 6:30pm in the Moot Court Room, which is on the second floor of the Benson Hall.

11/02/2016

On Thursday, November 3rd, 2016, the Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Theatre will host its Fall 2016 Symposium: Perspectives on Immigration. Please join us to hear faculty and students, academics and non-academics discuss immigration thought the prism of the 2016 Presidential Election. Refreshments will be served.

The symposium will be held during common hour (1:50 – 3:15) in 203 St. John Hall, home of the SJU Debate Society.

09/30/2016

Assistant Professor, Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Theatre, St. John’s University in Queens, New York.

Position: The Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Theatre at St. John’s University in Queens, New York, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor to begin in August of 2017. Applicants must possess a Ph.D. or equivalent by the time of appointment. Located in the heart of Queens, New York City’s most diverse borough, St. John’s University is a Catholic and Vincentian university. Founded in 1870 as a college to serve the sons and daughter of immigrants, St. John’s enrolls students from over 120 nations to pursue more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. As part of St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Theatre educates students in the ways in which communicative inquiries and practices create, sustain, modify, and challenge our cultural, legal, organization, and political cultures. The Department is home to the St. John’s University Debate Society, an internationally ranked debate team.

Responsibilities: We seek a colleague who will contribute to the Department’s program in rhetoric & public address and communication studies. The successful candidate will teach required courses in the Core Curriculum, enhance the Department’s curriculum within his or her area of expertise, possess an active research agenda, and contribute to involvement in other Departmental activities. Emphasis will be given to applicants who teach and conduct research in one or more of the following: public address, political communication, religious communication, rhetoric of race, health communication, interpersonal communication, or family communication.

Applications: Applicants should send a CV, cover letter, evidence of teaching excellence, graduate transcripts, and three letters of recommendation to [email protected] or to the following address: Dr. Jeremiah Hickey Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Theatre St. John’s Hall, Rm 344ASt. John’s UniversityQueens, NY 11439 Review will begin November 1st and continue until the position is filled.

Questions may be directed to Jeremiah Hickey, Chair of the Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Theatre; email [email protected].

09/30/2016

Instructor, Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Theatre, St. John’s University in Staten Island, New York.

Position: The Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Theatre at St. John’s University in Staten Island, New York, invites applications for a one-year instructor position to begin in August of 2017. MA required, Doctorate preferred.Overlooking New York Bay, St. John’s Staten Island campus combines a small-college environment with the resources of a major Catholic University. Founded in 1870 as a college to serve the sons and daughter of immigrants, St. John’s enrolls students from over 120 nations to pursue more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. As part of St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Theatre educates students in the ways in which communicative inquiries and practices create, sustain, modify, and challenge our cultural, legal, organization, and political cultures. The Department is home to the St. John’s University Debate Society, an internationally ranked debate team.

Responsibilities: The Successful candidate will teach multiple sections of Public Speaking with the possibility of teaching a course within area of expertise in the Spring of 2017.

Applications: Applicants should send a CV, cover letter, evidence of teaching excellence, and three letters of recommendation to [email protected] or to the following address: Dr. Jeremiah Hickey Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Theatre St. John’s Hall, Rm 344ASt. John’s UniversityQueens, NY 11439 Review will begin November 1st and continue until the position is filled.

Questions may be directed to Jeremiah Hickey, Chair of the Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Theatre; email [email protected].

06/29/2016

"Put simply, business majors seem to be graduating with some of the technical skills they’ll need to secure jobs, but without having made the gains in writing or critical-thinking skills they’ll require to succeed over the course of their careers, or to adapt as their technical skills become outdated and the nature of the opportunities they have shifts over time."

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/06/why-americas-business-majors-are-in-desperate-need-of-a-liberal-arts-education/489209/

Their degrees may help them secure entry-level jobs, but to advance in their careers, they’ll need much more than technical skills.