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Associate Professor Dalton, Chairperson
Professor Merrill
Associate Professors Dalton, Robinson, Sobnosky, Trasciatti
Assistant Professor Spieldenner

Candidates for graduation from Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences  with the degree of Bachelor of Arts must fulfill the BA requirements as listed under Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences . In addition, students majoring in the Department of Rhetoric must choose a concentration in one of three areas: speech communication; political communication; or communication, culture, and social action.

Note: The concentration in speech communication is recommended for students wishing to double major in rhetorical studies and another major. Students in other concentrations who wish to double major should consult with a department adviser as soon as they choose a major, in order to complete the major requirements on time.

Incoming freshmen and transfer students may declare a major in rhetorical studies; matriculated Hofstra University students must have a grade point average of at least 2.0 to declare a major in rhetorical studies. All declared majors in rhetorical studies must maintain a minimum grade point average in the major of 2.5 and a grade point average overall of 2.0 to remain in the major. 

Hofstra Speech and Debate Team

The Speech and Debate (Forensics) Team offers both HCLAS students and students in other units of the University an opportunity to hone their public communication, critical thinking, organizational, research, and interpersonal skills by becoming members of the team. Members of the Speech and Debate Team engage in intercollegiate competition in a variety of individual events. These include public address events such as informative and persuasive speaking, after dinner (humorous) speaking, and impromptu speaking, and performance of literature events, such as performance of prose, poetry, and dramatic literature. The team travels to many universities to compete, including rotating sites around the country for the national championships. Several members of the team have received high accolades, including best speaker in New York state and national champion in persuasive speaking.

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