“Whoever does not study rhetoric will be a victim of it”
— Ancient Greek wall inscription
Persuasion is everywhere. From the influencer ad campaigns on TikTok to the design of national war monuments, we are inundated with messages designed to shape our beliefs and produce actions. Although rhetoric has garnered a negative reputation as ill-intentioned verbal gymnastics that twists facts to hoodwink the gullible, the ancient art of rhetoric offers sophisticated and nuanced approach to understanding persuasion, both for the purpose of making effective arguments and to avoid falling victim to malicious users of rhetoric.
In this course, we will use theories drawn from ancient Greek and Roman rhetorics (along with the rhetorics of other cultures) to explore how arguments are constructed in various mediums for diverse audiences. The goal of this course is for you to gain an understanding of foundational theories and principles of rhetoric, enabling you to dissect persuasion at work in the public sphere and write persuasively for real audiences.
Course Objectives
Over the course of this semester, you will
- Develop an understanding of the ways rhetoric functions in various publics, mediums, and genres through the use of rhetorical theory.
- Acquire the fundamental knowledge, skills, and tools to make effective arguments.
- Explore how dynamics such as audience, context, purpose, genre, identity, and language shape how arguments are made and received.
- Participate in building a community that supports writing, communication, and academic inquiry.
Course Materials:
Ancient Rhetoric for Contemporary Students, 5th edition by Sharon Crowley and Debra Hawhee (Available on Amazon or AbeBooks).
All other readings and supplementary materials will be available to you on via our course site.