Rhetoric and Writing Studies

The University of Oklahoma's graduate program in Rhetoric and Writing Studies (RWS) prepares students to become scholar-practitioners who analyze rhetoric, writing, media, and making across a range of cultural and historical contexts. Our professors represent the diversity of the field, researching rhetorical history and theory, women's rhetorics, indigenous and de-colonial studies, composition theory, technical writing and scientific communication, multimodal production, religious rhetoric, digital humanities, cross-curricular literacy, and writing program administration.

Program Overview

Recent courses demonstrating the breadth of the program include:

• Intro to Disability Studies
• Social Movement Rhetoric
• The Rhetoric of Women Writers
• Intro to Technology Studies in Rhetoric, Composition, and Literacy
• Indigenous Rhetorics
• Digital Humanities

Faculty and Research

RWS faculty serve as editors of academic journals, including:

• Writers: Craft & Context
• Constellations: A Cultural Rhetorics Publishing Space
• Genre: Forms of Discourse and Culture

Faculty members and their research interests include:

• Kristin Bennett: Technical and professional communication, disability rhetoric, rhetorics of health and medicine, digital rhetorics, user-experience design
• Bill Endres: Digital humanities, medieval manuscripts, and visual rhetoric
• Rachel C. Jackson: Native American and Indigenous Studies, Cultural Studies, Critical Race Theory, Decolonial Theory, Land-Based Pedagogies, Indigenous Language Revitalization, and Critical Regionalism
• Susan Kates: History of rhetoric; material rhetorics; women's rhetorics; creative nonfiction; Oklahoma cultural studies
• Roxanne Mountford: Rhetorical history, theory, and criticism; writing; women’s rhetoric; African American rhetoric; rhetorical education; religious rhetoric; environmental rhetoric; institutional history
• Sandra Tarabochia: Writer development; writing pedagogy; research methods/methodologies; poetic inquiry; feminist rhetoric and research methods; writing through the lifespan; longitudinal writing research; inclusive publishing
• Kimberly (Roppolo) Wieser: American Indian rhetorics, literatures, critical theories, gender studies
• James Zeigler: Cultural rhetoric studies; post-45 American literature; Cold War culture; Civil Rights Movement; literary and critical theory; queer theory; the graphic novel; environmental literature, ecocriticism, and the new materialism

Graduate Student Funding

Students are supported financially by teaching and learning in the award-winning First-Year Composition program and/or working in the world-renowned Writing Center. Many students also take advantage of unique funding opportunities, including research assistantships and working in the composition office.

Program Outcomes

Graduate students work closely with their faculty advisors to develop a unique program of study, resulting in projects and publications like:

• Anna Barrett (PhD 2023): "The Risks of Rhetoricity: Accounting for Intellectual Disability in the Rhetorical Tradition,” Dissertation
• Kalyn Prince (PhD 2022): "Deep in the Heart of Texas: Nostalgia’s Ethos in Public Discourse,” Dissertation
• Ashley Beardsley (PhD 2022): “You Have Time, and You Should Cook, Tonight:” Erasing Feminized Labor on 30-Minute Meals,” Peitho, vol. 26, 2024
• Matthew Jacobson (PhD 2021): "Insights into Podcasts as Public Persuasion,” Dissertation
• Cindy Ross (PhD 2021): "Langston University: A History of Transformative Rhetorics at Oklahoma’s Only UBCU, ,” Dissertation
• Anna Trevino (PhD 2021): “A Need for Writing Coalitions: A Xicana’s Fotos y Recuerdos Anticipating (Dis)Identification.” (Counter)Stories from the Writing Center , with Moira Ozias, edited by Frankie Condon and Wonderful Faison. Utah State University Press

M.A. and Ph.D. Programs

The University of Oklahoma offers both M.A. and Ph.D. programs in Rhetoric and Writing Studies.

The M.A. Path

The M.A. program is designed to provide flexibility, immersion, and student engagement in developing their own courses of study based on areas of interest. Students design an individualized program of professional study through selecting a chosen field of specialization.

The Ph.D. Path

The doctoral degree is awarded for excellence in research scholarship, signifying the attainment of independently acquired and comprehensive learning attesting to general professional competence.

Application Requirements

To apply, students must submit:

• A sample of critical or scholarly writing, no more than 25 pages long
• A 1-2 page personal statement about their background, interests, and goals
• Three letters of recommendation
• An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae
• Official transcripts from every prior institution

English Department Application Requirements

For more information, please refer to the English Department's application requirements and guidelines.

University of Oklahoma Summary

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Overview:

The University of Oklahoma (OU) is a comprehensive research university with a strong focus on innovation and educational excellence. It is a major contributor to the state of Oklahoma, impacting the lives of Oklahomans through scholarship, research, and healthcare. OU boasts a diverse student body representing 50 states, 76 Oklahoma counties, and 125+ countries.

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Services Offered:

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

OU offers a vibrant and diverse campus experience with over 400 student organizations. The university has a strong sense of community and is known for its spirited and driven atmosphere.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Strong Research Focus:

OU is a highly ranked research university, designated as a Highest Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation.

Top-Ranked Programs:

OU is ranked #1 in the country for Aviation and Atmospheric Science & Meteorology.

Diverse Student Body:

OU welcomes students from across the globe, fostering a rich and inclusive learning environment.

Vibrant Campus Life:

With over 400 student organizations, OU offers a wide range of opportunities for students to engage in extracurricular activities and build community.

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Academic Programs:

OU offers over 170 academic programs across various disciplines. The university is particularly known for its strengths in research, aviation, atmospheric science, and healthcare.

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Other:

• OU has three campuses located in Norman, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa.
• The university is committed to supporting the state of Oklahoma through its research and educational initiatives.
• OU has a strong alumni network, with 80% of Oklahoma's healthcare professionals being OU graduates.