In this
course we will be studying rhetoric–the art of persuasion–across a range of
historical periods and traditions. We will begin by reading and examining
foundation works by classical rhetoricians of Ancient Greece and studying
various argument concepts and strategies used to construct convincing and
persuasive arguments. We will then examine more modern rhetorical models of the
twentieth century, which build on the classical traditions of Greece and Rome. Course
writing assignments will focus on the significant role argument plays in public
discourse debates, particularly in the areas of legal rhetoric, social change,
and public policy issues (including rhetoric used in legislation).
Students
will be writing a variety of argument papers over the course of the semester
ranging from shorter assignments of rhetorical analysis, editorial argument
response, to longer, more developed problem/solution arguments, and building
towards a final research-based argument on a specific bill which has been
proposed in the 2011 Hawaii State legislative session. Students will be
following and researching a selected bill during the course of the semester–planning
and writing major parts of their final argument project in distinct stages. Active
class participation will be a major component of the course, along with
individual student presentations and one group presentation project.
Students
will be required to have a working computer and access to a printer to download
course assignments and additional material from Laulima.