Argument and Public Discourse
The classical rhetoricians of Ancient Greece believed for
one to be a responsible citizen, one must be educated in rhetoric—the study of
how language is used to persuade—so that he could participate in public
deliberations. In the 21st century, it is equally important to
understand the arguments bombarding us as it is to construct our own
arguments. Thus, in this course, we will
examine how rhetorical strategies work as a means of persuasion in various
texts as well as practice employing those strategies so as to effectively
participate in public discourse. Specifically, we will work throughout the
course to understand how such skills can be employed in our own communities to
affect/resist change.
This is a Writing Intensive Course.
Course Requirements
- Attendance
and Participation - 4
Response Papers (2-3 pages) - Critical
Rhetorical Analysis (5-6 pages) - Final
Project to include audience analysis (this will involve some fieldwork in
the form of interviews, surveys, etc.) and creation of a multi-media
argument (e.g., PSA) - Oral
Presentation
Required Texts (Available
at a discount at Revolution Books, 2626 S. King St. #201)
- Sharon
Crowley and Debra Hawhee’s Ancient
Rhetorics For Contemporary Students, 5th ed. (Available at Revolution
Books) - Other
forms of media accessible through the newspaper, magazines, and Internet.