CCR's unique institutional context allows us to offer students comprehensive generalist preparation in Composition Studies, including its historical development as a field. Addressing written language in both academic and nonacademic settings, the Composition track is concerned broadly with scholarship on literacy and how it is taught and learned, used and transformed over time, with particular attention to the role of pedagogical and institutional practices. Specializations can be pursued in areas such as writing program administration, professional and technical communication, and community literacy, among others.

We are the first doctoral program in the U.S. to designate Cultural Rhetoric as a specific focus of study (or track) within the program. Additionally, our unique institutional context allows us to offer students comprehensive generalist preparation in Composition Studies, including its historical development as a field. Significantly informing our understanding of both composition studies and cultural rhetoric in CCR is an appreciation of historical research and scholarship. Students in both tracks are encouraged to read all texts and practices as historically situated and to cultivate a critical understanding of historical inquiry and the issues of historiography. Faculty expertise supports specializations in historical research in both composition studies and cultural rhetoric as well as their historical relationship.

Our curriculum provides solid training in rhetoric and composition with opportunities for interdisciplinary study. Students balance a core sequence in Rhetoric and Composition with substantial space for electives, which encourages them to explore interdisciplinary interests.

One of the distinctive features of the program is the way it allows student and faculty to synthesize their interests in Composition and Cultural Rhetoric. The program's two tracks--composition and cultural rhetoric--provide students with specific opportunities for focused study in the history, theory, and philosophy of composition or cultural rhetoric. Our faculty's research interests fall under several broad rubrics with a range of specializations.

Please visit our faculty pages to learn more about faculty research interests and areas of specialization. Currently enrolled students and their research interests can be found on our student pages. Visit our alumni page to see our recent graduates' placements.