Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies offer an interdisciplinary approach to the study of human communication that focuses on the intersectional nature of meaning and knowledge.

Rhetoric is a vital aspect of modern democracy. Courses offered by the Department of Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies teach students to understand how citizens use the symbolic in processes of negotiation within democratic states. Historically, this understanding has come through study of oratory, writing, and debate. But as the public sphere has expanded, so have the skills needed for successful agency: skills also now address visual media such as film, television, and virtual worlds.

Courses examine the production of meaning in texts and screen texts through the study of the systems that create texts; the form of those texts; and the historical, sociocultural, and economic milieus that mediate their circulation and interpretation. Courses are informed by theories that examine race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class, among other categories. In addition to introductory courses, students are required to take courses in performance. Students take two seminar courses with two different professors to further expand their exploration into the breadth of rhetoric, film, and screen studies. All students complete a senior thesis.

Argumentation and debate are traditional aspects of the practice and study of rhetoric, and have long been considered essential elements to a functioning public sphere. Bates has a storied tradition of excellence in debate, and students may study argumentation in courses or participate in competitive debate, or both. The Brooks Quimby Debate Council (BQDC), teaches students basic elements of rhetorical practice and theory.

Major Requirements

The major consists of ten courses plus a thesis. A coherent program for each student’s major is designed in accord with the following guidelines and in consultation with a member of the faculty in the rhetoric, film, and screen studies who is appointed as the student’s departmental advisor. Students should consult with their major advisor about meeting their requirements. Students may count one Short Term course toward the major, unless they are using a Short Term course to fulfill the performance requirement, in which case, students may use two Short Term courses to satisfy the major requirements.

1) Core Courses. Two of the following (taking all is recommended):
RFSS 100. What is Rhetoric?
RFSS 120. Introduction to Screen Studies.
AFR/RFSS 162. White Redemption.

2) Performance. One of the following:
RFSS 185. Public Discourse.
RFSS 186. Introduction to Argumentation.
RFSS s31. Film Festival Management.
AVC 209. Introduction to Video Production.
THEA 263. Introduction to Voice and Speech.

3) Theory/Criticism. One of the following:
RFSS 240. Film Theory.
RFSS 257. Rhetorical Criticism.
RFSS 276. Television Criticism.

4) Race/Ethnicity. One of the following:
AFR/RFSS 162. White Redemption.
AFR/RFSS 202. Coming of Age While Black.
RFSS 205. Social Advocacy and Activism.
RFSS 219. Race, Gender, and International Cinema.
RFSS 220. Italian American Men and Masculinities.
RFSS 259. Conspiracy Rhetoric.

5) Gender/Sexuality. One of the following:
RFSS 205. Social Advocacy and Activism.
RFSS 219. Race, Gender, and International Cinema.
RFSS 220. Italian American Men and Masculinities.
RFSS 260. Lesbian and Gay Images in Film.
RFSS 276. Television Criticism.
RFSS 259. Conspiracy Rhetoric.
RFSS s18. Under the Influence.

6) Seminars. One from each category, with two different faculty members:

Traditional:
AFR/RFSS 306: Reimagining Africana.
RFSS 391A. The Rhetoric of Alien Abduction.
RFSS 391E. Interracial Buddy Film.
RFSS 391F. Bollywood.
RFSS 391L. Screening Slavery.

Immersive/Experiential:
RFSS 391B. Presidential Campaign Rhetoric.
RFSS 391J. Film Festival Studies.

7) Additional Courses.

8) RFSS 457 or 458. Senior Thesis.

Pass/Fail Grading Option

Only one 100- or 200-level course may be taken pass/fail in fulfilling the major requirements.