Overview:

The Department of Rhetoric and Criticism was established in conjunction with the establishment of the College of Arabic Language in the year 1401 A.H. Since that time, the department has sought to achieve its desired mission by applying the means of progress that Umm Al-Qura University seeks to establish in order to keep pace with the policy of university education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This policy rests on graduating students who are ideal models, ethically and scientifically, and who are able to serve the community.

The curricula have been selected with the vision of achieving the department's mission and goals. In order to maintain the traditions of the field of rhetorical study, it was deemed necessary to teach the following courses: (Semantics, Rhetoric, and the Study of Metaphors and Stylistics), and courses such as (Library and Research, History of Arabic Rhetoric and Criticism, and Rhetoric of Ancient Books). The aim was to examine the efforts of the most distinguished scholars to become a beacon for successive generations. The fact that literary criticism is a twin of rhetoric, to which it never ceases to relate, has been taken into account with the following courses being added to the syllabus: (Literary Criticism and Modern Criticism, and Stylistics). Courses such as, (Rhetorical Studies of the Qur’an, Rhetorical Studies of Hadith, and Rhetorical Studies of Poetry), were also introduced due to our belief that the rhetorical notion develops and survives only through application on profound texts. Moreover, since we are certain that the Holy Qur’an represents the axis around which Arab studies in general and rhetorical studies in particular revolve, especially as the miracle of the Qur’an lies in its rhetoric, the course: (The Miracle of the Qur'an), was introduced in two levels, the first of which is predominantly theoretical while the latter is practical.

Furthermore, because the Department of Rhetoric and Criticism is a member of the College of Arabic Language and Literature, which in turn is one of the building blocks of Umm Al-Qura University, it is necessary for its students to study courses from the Department of Arabic Linguistics, Morphology, and Syntax, and the Department of Literature. It is equally important for the students of the department to study some of the courses taught in other colleges of the university in order to be able to cope with developments in the labor market and achieve the Saudi Vision 2030. The department students study 143 credit hours, with the numbers of undergraduate students every year ranging from 100 to 120 students. This is in addition to the M.A. and Ph.D. students who joined the department this year, 1440/1441 A.H., and who study 87 credit hours.

Vision:

Achieving leadership and excellence in rhetoric and criticism, in terms of education, research, and community service, in accordance with comprehensive international quality standards, while preserving the nation's cultural and knowledge identity.

Mission:

Achieving leadership and excellence in rhetoric and criticism, in terms of education, research, and community service, and preparing academic staff who are qualified to teach in and lead higher education institutions in accordance with comprehensive international quality standards, while preserving the nation's cultural and knowledge identity.

Objectives:

1. Cultivating the students' religious, ethical, and scientific values.
2. Developing the artistic taste, as well as intellectual, literary and critical faculties.
3. Linking students to their rhetorical heritage, with an aspiration to learn everything new that is useful and constructive and which contributes to advancing development.
4. Preparing students for the labor market by providing them with the necessary cognitive and educational skills.
5. Providing a distinguished scientific environment by preparing the latest and best academic plans, according to the approved quality and academic development controls.
6. Preparing distinguished researchers for postgraduate studies in rhetoric and criticism.
7. Preparing qualified and competent scientific staff who benefit and serve their religion, society and language at all scientific and practical levels related to their minor and major specialization.
8. Preparing select academic staff in accordance with the highest scientific and academic standards that offer contributions to higher education institutions inside and outside the Saudi Kingdom.
9. Raising the efficiency of professors who are specialists in rhetoric and criticism, for them to fully carry out their mission.
10. Serving the community by holding training courses, establishing useful partnerships, and sponsoring talented people.
11. Preparing scientific research which achieves creativity and contributes to the quality of knowledge.
12. Harnessing modern technologies to spread the culture of the Arabic language.

Values:

1. Distinction and mastery.
2. Striving for excellence.
3. Advancement and innovation.
4. Sense of responsibility.
5. Consolidating values of creative work.
6. Promotion of identity.
7. Cultivating a spirit of pride in the Arabic language, and fostering national affinity.