The very question, “What is rhetoric?” prompts consternation and confusion, dialogue and dissent. From its inception in ancient Greece, the study of rhetoric has gone hand in hand with important debates over truth versus belief, the role of persuasion in social change, the relationship between identity, power and civic engagement, and the possibility of democracy. These debates have only become more pressing in the present moment, as our lives and communities are shaped by a ubiquitous array of communicative acts and sources, from cable news to the internet. Beginning with rhetoric’s classical origins, this course will explore the primary debates and conceptual tools that have shaped it as a field, focusing on how authors grappled with rhetoric’s power, the links between rhetoric and civic identity, and the role of rhetoric in social change. Throughout the semester, we will assess how rhetoric has been studied in different historical contexts to construct a picture of rhetoric’s role in molding the human condition. Course to include a final research project and several short response papers, as well as class discussion and participation.
Rhetoric, Writing and Public Discourse 230.