Rhetoric and Media Studies - Lewis & Clark College Quick Links Apply Visit Alumni Library Giving The Source Newsroom Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre
Professor Mitch Reyes describes the department using these three words: Intellectual, engaged, dynamic.
Home / Academics / Rhetoric and Media Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies We study the making and sharing of meaning through rhetoric and media. Our program is designed to help you gain effective theoretical and methodological tools for understanding how public messages, images, texts, stories, conversations, and symbols work. Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre Why Choose a Degree in Rhetoric and Media Studies? Imagine working at Nike, Intel, or Widen & Kennedy helping to craft messaging around a new product. Alternatively, you could work as a legislative aid in Salem, or lead a grassroots campaign to protect the environment. Portland is a great location from which you can put your skills to use. Ours is one of the first programs in the United States to offer a major that integrates training in film and television studies with training in media and rhetorical analysis. As a rhetoric and media studies major, you will join an inclusive community that enjoys a challenging curriculum, works collaboratively on innovative research, and applies their skills and knowledge across campus and beyond. Apply Visit What You’ll Study We offer a major and a minor. Through our curriculum, you will make short narrative films and documentaries, videographic essays, and a variety of other media. You’ll also study how historical figures and events come to be represented in public memory, how sound and image in motion pictures can frame reality, and the stories we tell each other about personal health. In addition, you will explore how these processes and issues interact with gender, race, and culture. We believe in collaborating with students on research projects, course development, and creative work—whether through classes during the academic year, a paid humanities research summer program, or both—and helping them find and secure internships in Portland and beyond. Many of our students also earn course credit while on an overseas program. Outside the classroom, qualifying students can join our local chapter of Lambda Pi Eta , the largest international honor society in the communication field. Lewis & Clark’s annual Festival of Scholars and Artists includes an entirely student-run film festival. Our students have successfully submitted their work to competitive regional and national conferences, such as the Rhetoric Society of America biennial convention, the National Communication Association’s annual convention, and the Pacific Northwest Annual Symposium on Race, Rhetoric, and Media. We also offer a debate class to incarcerated individuals at Oregon State Penitentiary. To cap off each semester, we host a senior presentation night followed by dinner and trivia. Curriculum Connect With Lewis & Clark! After you hit submit, we will follow up with information about L&C, and you will have the opportunity to share a bit more about yourself. Loading...
Favorite Class
Comparative Rhetoric (RHMS 315) with Kundai Chirindo
This class pushed me to not just accept things the way they are, but to question why they are that way and how, if needed, we can change them. Honestly, if you love a good debate and intellectual argument, or just want to challenge Plato and the Greeks, this class with Kundai is for you!
Queer Film and Television taught by Assistant Professor Melanie Kohnen
The class really resonated with me as a queer person because we are often erased in media, so the historical and cultural discussion raised in this class was refreshing. It was also very meaningful to be with people who had corollary experiences to mine.
Marketing Seminar with guest lecturers Amanda Hill and Gary Korotzer through the Bates Center for Entrepreneurship and Leadership
I thought marketing was unethical since I had a very narrow understanding of it. Throughout the course, I got acquainted with ethical marketing practices and it broadened my perspective. Currently, I am applying for marketing internships and want to find a way to connect it to my future career.
His perspective was that the entire history of Western thought is essentially a search for the best way to discover “Big T” Truth—truth in its transcendent, absolute form. He broke down the distinction between that “Big T” Truth and “small t” truth, which is more situational and tied to kairos, the idea of the appropriate moment. That framework has stuck with me, as it’s a great reminder that context and timing are just as important as the truth itself. Plus, Kundai is a phenomenal speaker, which made the class even more engaging.
Disability Rhetoric and Media with Visiting Professor Ben Mann and and Curatorial Affairs by the Bates Center for Entrepreneurship and Leadership
Both have a different approach to teaching that makes you want to keep learning and a sensibility that you would never expect. For these two classes, I had an assignment that required me to see day-to-day spaces with a more critical eye and it was mind blowing.
Political Economy with Professor Elizabeth Bennett
As an economics major, I was always drawn to the human side of economics; who’s impacted, who’s influencing policy, and how power operates behind the scenes.
Minor: Political Economy, Rhetoric and Media Studies
Favorite Class
Rhetorical Theory with Visiting Assistant Professor Heather Hayes
Not only was Heather an incredibly knowledgeable and charismatic professor, but the class also introduced me to the different ways in which we think about rhetoric and discourse—which has translated into all of my rhetoric classes since.
Politics of Public Memory with Professor Mitch Reyes
Mitch is an amazing professor; he somehow transports your mind outside of the classroom to explore real world events. Through the course curriculum we analyzed public monuments, historical events, education systems and more. More than any other class, I felt as though I could see the real tangible evidence on how rhetoric and communication shapes our understanding of the world around us.
Complement Your Education With One of These Minors The most popular minors for our rhetoric and media studies majors are art and art history , dance , and entrepreneurial leadership and innovation . What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark I want to be a sports broadcaster, however, this is just one of many interests being a Rhetoric and media major can bring out—from digital marketing to government and business. Taj-Jamaal “TJ” Muhammad BA ’26 Rhetoric and Media Studies | English, Theatre | Inglewood, California More about Taj-Jamaal What I find most interesting about rhetoric and media studies is how broad it is. There are so many different and interesting classes that you can take with outstanding professors. Bode Dalton BA ’25 Rhetoric and Media Studies | Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation | Idaho Springs, Colorado More about Bode I was a double major in psychology and rhetoric and media studies, and I found it fascinating how much overlap there was between the two. One of the most interesting things I learned is how humans, in many ways, behave like pack animals—our decisions are heavily influenced by our environment and the behavior of those around us. Curtis Shirey BA ’15 Psychology and Rhetoric and Media Studies (double) | Sacramento, California More about Curtis What Can You Do With a Degree in Rhetoric and Media Studies? Our alumni use their BA in rhetoric and media studies to pursue graduate study and a wide range of exciting careers in public relations, communications, marketing, user experience design, finance, journalism, law, politics, activism, publishing, and film. Dedicated Faculty Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth. Meet the Professors Top For the seventh time in 11 years, Lewis & Clark has been named a Fulbright U.S. Student Program Top Producing Institution for 2023–24. 16% first-generation students at Lewis & Clark College 12:1 Lewis & Clark College has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1. Top Lewis & Clark earned a spot on Princeton Review’s 2026 “Best Colleges” list . 4-5-6 Lewis & Clark’s 4-5-6 Commitment can help you make the most of your future. Invest in Yourself A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think . Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate with their bachelor of arts degree in four years that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition . Speech and debate scholarships are available for students with exceptional records of commitment to and success in forensics. Find Your People Our department hosts Lewis & Clark’s award-winning speech and debate squad . Our forensics students regularly place in the top ranks in high-level national competitions and conferences. Each semester, as many as 60 of our students are involved with KPH , Lewis & Clark’s student-run campus radio station. Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You I truly couldn’t have asked for a better school than L&C to prepare me for the next chapter of my life. Now, while completing my postgraduate degree, I’ve never once felt unprepared or out of my depth. Henry Goodier BA ’23 Economics | Political Economy, Rhetoric and Media Studies | Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania More about Henry Lewis & Clark prepared me for my work through teaching me how to expand my creativity, enrich my understanding of the world, and how to endure the often overwhelming nature of the business side of my job. Cameron Stewart BA ’23 Rhetoric and Media Studies | Entrepreneurship | Benicia, California More about Cameron L&C prepared me for my career by letting me practice making big decisions, identifying priorities, and building the confidence to do so in a supportive space. Julia McPherson BA ’19 Rhetoric and Media Studies | Wilmington, North Carolina and Portland, Oregon More about Julia Featured News Finding Post-Grad Success Graduating from Lewis & Clark College means you will earn a bachelor of arts degree that is grounded in critical thinking, written and verbal communication skills, teamwork, and problem solving—all of the essential qualifications you need to succeed in any career. Read the story More News and Events → Kundai Chirindo Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Media Studies, Department Chair kundai@lclark.edu 503-768-7666 Admissions Academics Financial Aid Alumni
