Abstract
This article explores the future of rhetoric and public address within the communication discipline, drawing on input from faculty and department chairs across the field. It highlights the perception that while newer specialties such as organizational communication and public relations attract students for their career applicability, these areas remain rooted in rhetorical theory and practice. Examples from textbooks and scholarly work illustrate how rhetorical concepts continue to inform contemporary studies. The discussion reviews optimism about the resurgence of rhetoric, noting new degree programs, recognition by other disciplines, and increasing publication in respected venues. Public address is portrayed as evolving, with scholars broadening its scope to include mediated and cultural contexts while maintaining its historical significance. The article concludes that the survival and vitality of rhetoric and public address depend on adapting curricula and scholarship to contemporary issues while preserving their foundational role.
Recommended Citation
Sanders, Gerald N.
(1987)
"Rhetoric and Public Address: A Future in the Communication Discipline,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 61, Article 20.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol61/iss1/20
