Communication and Culture

Rhetoric and Media

The Classical Western Art of Rhetoric

Serious civic conversation and meaningful debate depend on rational and thoughtful rhetoric. That’s why eloquence in public discourse—and more generally, communication—has always been an essential part of the classical liberal arts education. Students majoring in Rhetoric and Media learn about the ways and means through which human beings shape and are shaped by their symbolic and technological environments. You will study how the connections between people and things—whether through speech, writing, images, digital code, or sound—affect the forms and patterns of human consciousness and co-existence. You will gain an appreciative, critical understanding of how rhetoric and media influence our social and political organizations, sense of identity and community, traditions and time-binding practices, our worldview and way of life, and almost every other aspect of lived reality. Hillsdale ensures you’ll graduate as a more compelling speaker, masterful thinker, and responsible critic. Rhetoric and Media is offered as both a major and minor.

The Edward Everett Prize

Everett Oratory Winners

The Edward Everett Prize in Oratory encourages and fosters the spoken word. Open to all Hillsdale College students of good standing, regardless of major or year in school, the contest features cash prizes of $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000 to the top three finishers.

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Competitive Speaking

Mock Trial Team

Hillsdale College offers three distinct opportunities for students interested in pursuing speech at a competitive-level: the debate, individual events, and mock trial teams.

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Lambda Pi Eta

Lambda Pi Eta members group photo.

This national speech and communications honorary was established under the auspices of the National Communication Association in 1984.

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Pi Kappa Delta

Edward Everett Prize, Ryan Murphy, '18 Pi Kappa Delta is an honorary consisting of educators, students, and alumni that cultivates articulate citizenship which seeks to expand access to intercollegiate speech and debate activities.

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