"If we see truth as process rather than object, we can see the process of rhetorical criticism as a means to unveil truth in our own telos." --Richard Harvey Brown, Writing the Social Text: Poetics and Politics in Social Science Discourse (1992).
Studying classical approaches can teach you a lot about how the academic community (college) works today--and the beliefs on which that community is based. Thus as a result of this course you will be better positioned to become a member of the academic community. In this FSEM we will also put your rhetorical education to specific use: In studying classical rhetoric's means of persuasion, you will experiment with how you can use these techniques in your own writing, speaking, and reading.
Anson, Chris M., and Robert A. Schwegler. The HarperCollins Handbook for Writers and Readers. Class Test Version. HarperCollins, 1995.Bizzell, Patricia, and Bruce Herzberg, eds. The Rhetorical Tradition: Readings from Classical Times to the Present. Boston: Bedford, 1990.
Crowley, Sharon. Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students. New York: MacMillan, 1994.
Oral work includes class participation and oral response to a class session:
Class participation includes attendance (which includes arriving on time), preparation, and participation.
Oral response to a class session: See attached guidelines.
Out-of-class writing will be short papers (4-10 pages) on assigned topics. Some of these will involve you in library research. A bibliography for the course can help you get started in finding sources appropriate to your tasks.
Essay examinations will occur at midterm and at the end of the course.
Choose one of the following three options for determining your grade for this course. Send me E-mail (to BHOWARD) by September 3, indicating your choice. You may not thereafter switch to a different option:
Option A: Oral emphasis
35% Out-of-class writing. Due dates:
September 17 (5%)25% Exams
October 22 (15%)
November 5 (15%)
Midterm exam (October 10, 10%)40% Oral component
Final exam (15%)
Oral response to a class session (5 minutes, 15%)
Class participation (25%)
55% Out-of-class writing. Due dates:
September 17 (5%)25% Exams
October 3 (15%)
October 22 (15%)
November 5 (20%)
Midterm exam (October 10, 10%)15% Oral component
Final exam (15%)
Oral response to a class session (5 minutes, 5%)
Class participation (10%)
35% Out-of-class writing. Due dates:
September 17 (5%)50% Exams
October 22 (15%)
November 26 (15%)
Midterm exam (October 10, 20%)15% Oral component
Final exam (30%)
Oral response to a class session (5 minutes, 5%)
Class participation (10%)
Thu 8/29: Ch. 1, Ancient Rhetorics.
Tue 9/3: Ch. 2, Ancient Rhetorics.
Thu 9/5: Ch. 3, Ancient Rhetorics.
Tue 9/10: In-class writing workshop
Thu 9/12: In-class writing workshop
Tue 9/17: Bring Rhetorical Tradition with you to class: the Sophists. First paper due
Thu 9/19: Gorgias, Encomium of Helen; Isocrates, Against the Sophists (Rhetorical Tradition40-42, 46-49)
Tue 9/24: Ch. 4, Ancient Rhetorics
Thu 9/26: Ch. 5, Ancient Rhetorics
Tue 10/1: Ch. 6, Ancient Rhetorics. In class: discussion groups.
Thu 10/3: Bring Rhetorical Tradition with you to class: Aristotle. Option B paper due
Tue 10/8: Aristotle, Rhetoric (selection from Rhetorical Tradition, 151-94)
Thu 10/10: Midterm exam
Thu 10/17: Bring Rhetorical Tradition with you to class: Cicero.
Tue 10/22: Draft, option A-B-C paper due. In class:
Review pairs:Thu 10/24: Cicero, De Oratore (selection from Rhetorical Tradition, 200-250)
Devon/Ben
Kelly/Carolyn
Lydelle/Andy
Brendan/Alex
Dan/Jason Mattes/Eric
Heather/Dave
Maria/Jason Bradwell
Mike/Emily
John/CirronAppointments for paper returns:
Brendan 11:50
John 11:55
Andy 12:00
Mike 12:05
Kelly 12:10
Emily 12:15
Review groups:
Devon/Kelly/Mike
Brendan/Lydelle/Emily
Heather/Dan/Andy
Cirron/Alex/Carolyn
John/Jason Mattes/Jason Bradwell/Ben
Dave/Eric/Maria
Tue 10/29: (1) Ch. 7, Ancient Rhetorics; (2) Final draft, Option A-B-C paper due
Thu 10/31: Ch. 8, Ancient Rhetorics
Tue 11/5: Quintilian, Institutes of Oratory (selection from Rhetorical Tradition, 297-364). Any papers that I have received by 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 5, will be returned on Thursday, November 7, at your scheduled appointment time.
Thu 11/7: Quintilian, cont. After class: scheduled appointments for paper returns.
Tue 11/12: Quintilian, cont.
Thu 11/14: Ch. 9, Ancient Rhetorics. Discussion leaders, Crowley Chapter 8, Pathetic Proofs: Heather, Kelly, Jason Bradwell. Respondents: Maria, Dan, Mike. Any papers that I have received by 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 14, will be returned on Tuesday, November 19, at your scheduled appointment time.
Tue 11/19: Ch. 10, Ancient Rhetorics. Discussion leaders, Quintilian, Institutes of Oratory: Maria, Jason Mattes. Cicero: Carolyn, Lydelle, John. Respondents: Alex, Dave. After class: scheduled appointments for paper returns.
Thu 11/21: Ch. 14, Ancient Rhetorics. Discussion leaders, Aristotle: Andy, Cirron, Brendan. Crowley Chapter 9, Reasoning in Rhetoric: Dan, Eric. Respondents: Lydelle, Andy.
Tue 11/26: Bring Rhetorical Traditionwith you to class: Rhetorica ad Herennium. Discussion leaders, Crowley Chapter 10, Arrangement: Dave, Alex. Respondents: Kelly, Cirron. Option A-B-C paper due
Tue 12/3: Rhetorica ad Herennium, Book IV (Rhetorical Tradition, 252-92). Discussion leaders, Rhetorica ad Herennium: Devon, Mike. Respondents: Ben, John.
Thu 12/5: Review. Discussion leaders, Crowley Chapter 14, Copiousness: Ben, Emily. Any papers that I have received by 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 5, will be returned on Tuesday, December 10, at your scheduled appointment time.
Tue 12/10: Scheduled appointments for paper returns.
Thu 12/12, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.: Final examination
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