Rhetoric, Writing, and Public Discourse 121: Fundamentals of Argumentation

This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of argumentation.  Argumentation as an area of study explores the ways that evidence-based claims are used to mediate disagreement and controversy in personal, technical, and political contexts, and make decisions when the best course of action is contested or unclear.  The course engages four primary topics: we will explore the core theoretical concepts of argument, and think about how different types of argument work and what makes them effective when directed toward particular audiences.  We will discuss the ways that different communities of argument (from legal and scientific fields, to local and national debates over political issues, to arguments in mass media forums and online) judge the worth of different claims, and mediate disagreements, and we will think about how those communities interact and what happens when they come into conflict. We will dissect examples of argument in different communities in-depth, and think about how particular arguments are shaped by historical context and specific circumstances.  Finally, we will interrogate the limits of argument as a paradigm, inquiring into its foundational assumptions, the ethical issues it raises, and potential alternatives that have been forwarded (ranging from dialogue to invitational rhetoric and consensus-building).  In addition to analyzing arguments, students will put course material in practice through written and oral argumentation and debate. Assignments will include papers and presentations addressing different theories of argument, case studies diagramming the evolution of major historical or contemporary public arguments, advocacy and op-ed writing, and in-class dialogues and debates.